Chosen young designers, architects and other visual artists will synergistically, with the help of experienced mentors from EU and Western Balkans countries, work on comprehensive, high-visibility design projects. Chosen participants will be part of a mentorship program that includes constant mentorship by Western Balkans design professionals and suppervisions by EU design professionals.
Partners/Project Partners
The Department for Management and Production in Theatre, Radio and Culture of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts was founded as first of its kind in Europe back in 1961. Today, it covers wider areas of management of arts, culture, media, and creative industries. What makes its study program unique is that it covers all educational levels – from undergraduate to doctoral, unique in the region and among few in the world.
Since founded, approximately 1,000 students have obtained formal education in producing and management in theatre, radio and culture. They now hold leading positions in culture and media as leaders, managers and authors of projects, as well as scientists, researchers and decision-makers, making them significant contributors to the public life of Serbia and the world.
The Department’s staff and students contribute to scientific work, including international projects within Creative Europe, Horizon2020, Erasmus+, Višegrad+ and COST actions. The Faculty is an active member in several networks, and has organised dozens of international scientific conferences. Books and scientific papers written by the teachers and associates were featured by some of the most reputable international publishers, such as Sage, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Wiley-Blackwell, European Cultural Foundation.
Besides teaching and research assignments, teachers of the Department are active as experts on the topics of organizational development and capacity building in culture, impacting the wider cultural field in Serbia, by providing support to organisations developing their communities to improve the level of cultural life, participating in policy-making, and developing democratic practices.
Participation in the ReCulture project is an opportunity for a comparative assessment of needs and the design of strategic support to Western Balkans cultural institutions on the path of transformation into institutions of the modern age.
Partners/Project Partner Leader
The Cultural Centre of Trebinje, as a polyvalent cultural institution, is an indispensable place in the cultural life of Trebinje and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through its work and communication with the public so far, the Centre has built a picture of a successful institution that, through its programme orientation, promotes the values of an open and democratic society, cooperating with local, national and international artists and artistic groups, and realising various activities and programs.
Founded in 2014, the Cultural Centre consists of three units: Art Galleries, City Theatre and Cinema of the Cultural Centre. It was established to build and improve the culture system, including decentralisation of the organisation and financing of culture and freedom of creativity and respect for the right to culture. The Cultural Centre of Trebinje was aimed to serve as an institution of importance for the region, as well as to foster partnerships with cultural institutions in the surrounding countries. Its mission is to continuously work on the development of cultural, educational and artistic programs and initiatives in order to be the meeting place for all significant ideas in the field of cultural activity in the region.
The Cultural Centre of Trebinje is recognised as an institution that participates in the creation of the art scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has exemplary success in the implementation of cultural projects supported by international funds and institutions. In its work so far, the Cultural Centre has established cooperation with most major cultural organizations in the region and implemented several projects funded by various funds, including IPA EU funds.
The main interest of the ReCulture project for the Cultural Centre is to obtain new tools of communication and visibility that will be developed through the project. Also, the Cultural Centre, having an insight into the art scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a partner, can make a significant contribution to the implementation of various project activities in the country.
Partners/Associated Partners
The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection is a museum dedicated to Yugoslav modern art of the first half of the 20th century. It was created with the aim to institutionalise one of the best Yugoslav private collections of the modern period, that of Pavle Beljanski – a diplomat and collector, so that visitors could enjoy the works of Nadežda Petrović, Sava Šumanović, Milan Konjović, Marko Čelebonović, Petar Dobrović, Petar Lubarda, Zora Petrović and others.
The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection was open to the public in 1961. Today, it houses a permanent display and a special exhibition segment, the Artists’ Memorial, dedicated to the artists in the collection. During the last decade, the Memorial Collection has developed creative educational programs and activities that bring modern art closer to people of all ages. The Memorial Collection offers new insights into 20th century art to the audience, improving art research, inspiring contemporary creativity and contributing to spreading the idea of endowment.
Housing one of the most significant national collections of the period between two World Wars with works of the most notable artists of the time is why the Memorial Collection is on the national and regional map. With the artists in the collection recognized as part of the European art scene, the collection holds international value.
Beljanski’s collection has been a prominent display since between the two World Wars. More recently, parts or the entirety of the Memorial Collection were exhibited at national and regional art galleries, including the Museum of Contemporary Art of Republika Srpska and the Modern Gallery in Zagreb. Additionally, exhibitions dedicated to specific artists, i.e. Lubarda 1907 – 1974 – 2017, brought about national and international collaborations.
In search of new tools in presenting the museum as a vibrant and vital place, the ReCulture offers international collaboration and exchange of experiences to appeal to larger audiences. Interested in development and new ideas, especially in communication with the audience and new generations is the ReCulture project appeals to the Memorial Collection.
Partners/Project Partners
Founded in 1972, the Artistic Colony of Danilovgrad aims to promote and develop the art scene of Montenegro and beyond. The Colony successfully promotes art through what the region it resides in has to offer – marble ores of the highest quality that are turned into sculptures. Although the Colony is primarily known for its sculpture, it promotes various forms of artistic expression within its work.
Since founded, the Colony has housed famous sculptors from Montenegro, the Balkans, and the world. The Colony organises an annual International Sculpture Symposia, followed by the preservation of the art works and their presentation and affirmation in Montenegro and the world. With over 150 sculptures created so far, by authors from all over the world: Spain, Germany, Japan, China, France, Egypt, USA, New Zealand, Argentina, Thailand and many others, the Artistic Colony has an imposing open-air gallery that is always active and open to visitors.
Today, the Artistic Colony of Danilovgrad is the most important institution for the development of sculpture in Montenegro, and the International Sculpture Symposium has received the status of an Event of Special Importance for the Culture of Montenegro and membership in the International Alliance of Sculpture Symposia, consisting of 85 symposia from 43 countries. In addition to its core business, the institution organises various exhibitions, such as the traditional annual exhibition of Montenegrin sculptors and numerous solo exhibitions, and implements educational programs for youth.
The Artistic Colony of Danilovgrad sees the ReCulture project as an ideal opportunity for further promotion of the Colony through creating a new branding strategy for better positioning within the art world of the Western Balkans and Europe, and as an opportunity specifically for young artists from the region to get acquainted with its institution and the opportunities it provides.
Partners/Project Partners
After a devastating earthquake hit Banja Luka in 1969, more than 700 art pieces were collected from all over the world as an act of solidarity – selling the pieces to repair the damage. However, after the collection was assembled, it was decided that it would serve as the foundation of a new art gallery, and thus the City Art Gallery was founded in 1971.
In 2004, after growing in both regional reputation and its collection, it was renamed Museum of Contemporary Art of the Republic of Srpska. Its mission is to engage audiences in its programs aimed at building a more cohesive local community, as well as to develop, promote, and present contemporary art and the local art scene.
As the central institution for arts in the Republic of Srpska and the first contemporary art museum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Museum has positioned itself as the leading institution of this type in the country and a referential institution in the region. By promoting local artists, the Museum helped position its best artist in the global art world. The Museum is engaged in writing cultural policies and regulations. In addition, the Museum collaborates with educational institutions, namely the University of Banjaluka, providing necessary resources to their students.
As a museum set on placing itself on the regional and international scene, it prides itself on successful collaborations with the British Council on the exhibitions New Religion by Damien Hirst and Vanity of Small Differences by Grayson Perry. The exhibitions drew in record visits, not only for the Museum, but for the whole country. Successful projects also include the two Venice Biennale that the Museum took part in in 2013 and 2017.
Considering the Museum’s mission is set on promoting art in the local community and improving the art scene of the whole country, the ReCulture project has the means to provide the knowledge and tools to achieve its goals. The project’s aim to rebrand in order to appeal to wider audiences, coupled with the its prominent partners, made joining the ReCulture project an irresistible offer.
Partners/Project Partners
The Institute for Cultural Policy (iCP) is a strategic design consultancy, operating from a trans-disciplinary point of view. It was founded in 2015 from the urge to develop the cultural and creative agenda in a conceptual manner and with broader public efficacy. Initially operated solely by Wolfgang Fiel, iCP grew steadily, reflecting the diverse and inclusive nature of its team.
iCP investigates the hybrid realities of human and non-human agencies with the aim of unlocking potential through design. Nurturing a shared set of values and sound work ethic with their clients and collaborators alike, its purpose is to make the world a more beautiful and meaningful place one project at a time.
Although one of only few of its kind in Austria, largely due to historical and cultural reasons, globally this line of work is far more common, leading to work on an international scale. Collaborating locally and internationally, iCP teams up with the aim to achieve collectively rather than individually.
One of its most successful projects of its projects is the International travelling exhibition titled “Getting Things Done: Evolution of the built environment in Vorarlberg”, consisting of a collection of projects created by 120 architects, who were interviewed to create a comprehensive picture of the built environment of Vorarlberg over a 60-year-period. Another ongoing example is in collaboration with an Indian NGO concerning the spatial, social and economic development of a community of leprosy effected people and their families.
The value in joining the ReCulture projects comes down to it pursuing goals that are very timely and globally relevant, and whose implementation actually is going to make a difference for the cultural institutions as project partners. Due to the fact that the countries of the Western Balkans are closely tied with Austria, both geographically, but also due to close historical ties with Austria and Vienna in particular, iCP could largely contribute.
Partners/Project Partners
Located in a unique place at the entrance to Marseille’s Old Port, housed in a modern building designed by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta on the historic site of the Fort Saint Jean, Mucem opened in 2013, in the framework of the European Capital of Culture.
Mucem, French national museum, is a showcase for the cultural, social, scientific and political abundance of the Mediterranean world, from prehistoric times to the modern day. From anthropology, history and archaeology to art history and contemporary art; every discipline has its place. Its mission is to explain the complexity of the Mediterranean world, made of exchanges, migrations and whose influence extends throughout Europe and beyond.
Mucem was designed to be a cultural hub for the city of Marseille, and great interest has been shown by its 10 million visitors since its opening. It organizes major themed exhibitions and a variety of cultural events for every audience, such as lectures and debates, film projections, concerts and shows for young people.
The museum’s exhibitions have been noted for their quality, with exhibitions on a range of social themes (gender, colonisation, religious practices, fashion, folklore etc.) and major contemporary mythologies with a focus on art (Picasso and popular arts and traditions in 2016, Ai Weiwei in 2018, Mohamed Kacimi in 2018, Jean Dubuffet in 2019, Jeff Koons in 2021 etc.).
Mucem gained coordination expertise through its involvement in several European projects cofounded by Europe Creative program and will contribute to ReCulture project as example of good practice regarding communication and audience development strategies. The institution stands out for its dynamic team, high-quality cultural programming and a specific communication strategy to reach out to the public.
Partners/Project Partners
INK fest organisation was founded with a mission to bring contemporary world-class design practice to Serbia and to bring Serbian designers closer to the world.
The INK fest founders came together as an informal group back in 2007 when they initiated the PDP Conference, a four-day annually held design event that allows students and young designers to further improve their skills and grow in all areas of creative work. In an inclusive, unpretentious environment, the conference offers visitors and participants the chance to network with their regional colleagues as well as established professionals from varying fields of the creative industry. From a small event that provides design students with an additional layer of education, the PDP Conference gradually grew into a fully-fledged international platform that brings together creative professionals, students, educators and speakers from around the world.
Following the initiation of PDP Conference, INK fest has been officially established in 2010 as a non-governmental, nonprofit organisation that focuses on promotion and development of the regional design scene. Today, Ink Fest is a small team of designers, curators, cultural managers, architects and communication experts who organise cultural events and educational programmes for young designers.
Additionally, the Ink portfolio includes cooperation with cultural institutions in Serbia and the region which encourage different actors active in the field of culture to embrace the contemporary design practices.
INK fest members came up with an initial concept of testing design as a tool for repositioning the cultural institutions of WB and finally took over a role of coordinating rebranding processes within the ReCulture project.
We see Reculture as a long-awaited opportunity for Western Balkans young designers who will, thanks to the project, direct their rich potential and talent to set the epicentre of contemporary design practices where it should be – in cultural institutions.