Raising capacities of cultural institutions outside the city centre and in rural areas is the main goal of the Culture Up project that gathers nine representatives from five different countries. Within the project, the first online meeting, during which each project partner presented its organisation and the role in the project, was held.

The main idea is to raise capacities based on the example of good practices and transfer of experience, knowledge and know-how networking on the European level between cultural institutions, organisations of civil society and local government representatives who work in the field of culture in rural areas and outskirts.

Within the Culture Up project, in addition to the ‘Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation, Novi Sad is being presented by the Rumenka Cultural Station. Other partners in the project are Denmark, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands: Provincie Fryslan (the Netherlands), Galway County Council (Ireland), Stichting Keunstwurk (the Netherlands), Sastamala Community College (Finland), Tampere Art Museum (Finland), Kulturskole (Denmark), as well as Ringkøbing Skjern Kommune (Denmark), the lead partner.

By using different experiences, strategies, knowledge and perspectives from the artistic, cultural and institutional levels and level of local government, all partners will work on exchange and strategy development with European partners and values. The goal is to set an operating plan that will function as a new learning model and catalyst for sustainable development of culture in rural areas.

The idea is to enable employees in cultural institutions and centres from these five countries to travel, visit other cultural institutions and centres and exchange knowledge and examples of good practice with their colleagues from other cities.

The activities of the project will be implemented in accordance with the pandemic measures in order to prevent spreading of the COVID-19.

Photo: Jelena Ivanović