The project “ArtPower Belarus” worth 2 million euros will support Belarusian culture
The Belarusian Council for Culture and Danish Cultural Institute are happy to announce the project “ArtPower Belarus: Safeguarding the Belarusian Civic Space Through Culture and Arts” supported by the European Union. The overall support from the EU for this significant project is 2 million euros. This is the first time that the EU has included Belarusian culture in its financial support for the Belarusian democratic community on such a scale.
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Since we started out and mainly acted as a rescue team for creators, we had the desire and ambition to make culture one of the priorities of European structures that help Belarus. We feel it’s time to expand culture’s role and influence so that it is heard in the speeches of political leaders and is included in support programs because we understand that it also drives change.
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Since we started out and mainly acted as a rescue team for creators, we had the desire and ambition to make culture one of the priorities of European structures that help Belarus. We feel it’s time to expand culture’s role and influence so that it is heard in the speeches of political leaders and is included in support programs because we understand that it also drives change.
The ArtPower Belarus project will span 28 months. It was created specifically for Belarusian cultural figures, authors of all branches of art, as well as their audience – both abroad and in Belarus. It sets two main goals: supporting cultural initiatives for the consolidation of Belarusian society, including diasporas and communities in exile, as well as creating professional cultural networks and improving the skills of creators in these networks.
ArtPower Belarus will achieve these goals through a system of grants of various sizes. With their help, at least 50 projects and initiatives in Belarus and abroad will be realized involving at least 150 cultural figures and tens of thousands of people in the audience. The contract also provides more than 100 mobility grants, which will cover art residencies, funding for tours, or participation in international events.
ArtPower Belarus will achieve these goals through a system of grants of various sizes. With their help, at least 50 projects and initiatives in Belarus and abroad will be realized involving at least 150 cultural figures and tens of thousands of people in the audience. The contract also provides more than 100 mobility grants, which will cover art residencies, funding for tours, or participation in international events.
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Within ArtPower Belarus, Belarusian Council for Culture is creating Resource Center – an offline communication space, located in Vilnius. We also plan to organize a training course for cultural managers, as well as hold yearly international cultural conferences, and prepare regular analytical reports. A certain percentage of the project's funding is allocated for emergency assistance to representatives of culture.
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Within ArtPower Belarus, Belarusian Council for Culture is creating Resource Center – an offline communication space, located in Vilnius. We also plan to organize a training course for cultural managers, as well as hold yearly international cultural conferences, and prepare regular analytical reports. A certain percentage of the project's funding is allocated for emergency assistance to representatives of culture.
The Danish Cultural Institute (DCI) acts as a lead partner: the organization has relevant experience with large-scale international projects globally, in particular in the Eastern Partnership countries.
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“The "Art Power" project is a very important and valuable opportunity for the DCI to continue our work and support of the Belarusian culture in close partnership with the Belarusian Council for Culture. We strongly believe in cultural mutual learning and close partnerships. This project is a significant step towards preserving Belarusian cultural life, and jointly with the BCC we are looking forward to supporting Belarusian artists and cultural professionals.
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“The "Art Power" project is a very important and valuable opportunity for the DCI to continue our work and support of the Belarusian culture in close partnership with the Belarusian Council for Culture. We strongly believe in cultural mutual learning and close partnerships. This project is a significant step towards preserving Belarusian cultural life, and jointly with the BCC we are looking forward to supporting Belarusian artists and cultural professionals.
At a time of unprecedented repression and ongoing forced emigration of creators, this project will help restore the stolen opportunities for free expression, and strengthen the influence of cultural figures in moving Belarus towards democracy and independence.