European cultural foundation

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The European Cultural Foundation ( European Cultural Foundation , abbreviated ECF ) is an independent foundation based in Amsterdam . It was founded in Geneva in 1954 and promotes projects in the field of art and culture in a pan-European context that aim to preserve the open and democratic future of Europe.

The main focus of the ECF from 2017 to 2020 is the topic “Connected Action for Europe: Culture for Change”. Together with its partners, the foundation works on current topics under this focus, including a. how society deals with the migration of refugees and attacks by radical groups, and how art and culture can contribute to the discussion.

organization

The previous director of the foundation was Katherine Watson (director). After twelve years with the foundation, Watson will retire on January 1, 2019. André Wilkens took over the management of the foundation on November 15, 2018. Wilkens has worked in the private and public sectors in Europe for many years, including a. for the Open Society Institute and the Mercator Foundation. President is Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands , daughter-in-law of Princess Beatrix .

The foundation was established in 1954 in Geneva by the Swiss philosopher Denis de Rougemont . Robert Schuman , one of the most important architects of the European Economic Union, was its first president.

The ECF is registered as a non-profit organization and receives a large part of its funds from two Dutch lotteries, BankGiro Loterij and De Lotto, which it in turn owes to its partner organization Prinz-Bernhard- Kulturstiftung (Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds), which acts as a distributor of the funds.

activities

The foundation works for a democratic Europe that was created by and for its citizens. Representation of interests at local, national and European level forms the foundation of the foundation's work. Cultural projects and individuals are supported with scholarships or travel allowances.

The foundation's best-known programs include:

ECF Princess Margriet Award for Culture

In 2008, the foundation launched an award in honor of the former chairwoman of the foundation, Princess Margriet von Oranien-Nassau . The Princess of the Netherlands has understood how important culture is to strengthen democracy in Europe, and so the award honors individuals and institutions whose work in the fields of film, art, music, architecture, etc. a. dare new paths for Europe. The prize is endowed with 25,000 euros and celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2018. Among the former winners are British sociologist Stuart Hall , museum director Charles Esche and film director John Akomfrah. The 2018 winners are Forensic Architecture and Borderland Foundation. The archive of the Kulturstiftung contains publications, video recordings and information on all previous award winners.

Idea Camp

The Idea Camp is a three-day workshop for innovative ideas to strengthen Europe through cultural initiatives that brings together 50 participants (“Idea Makers”) every year. The Idea Camp takes place in different European cities: In 2014 participants met in Marseille, France; 2015 in Botkyrka, Sweden; 2017 in Madrid, Spain. Following the Idea Camp, participants can apply with their concept for funding of up to 10,000 euros - 25 of the applications will receive funding.

STEP (Supporting Travel for Engaged Partnership)

The STEP program offers travel grants for artists and cultural workers who work with their projects in Europe for cohesion, participation and equality. The program, supported by the Compagnie di San Paolo, accepts applications all year round and has already made 2,300 trips to 59 countries possible since 2003.

Tandem Cultural Collaboration Programem

The TANDEM project was started in 2011 by the European Cultural Foundation and MitOst eV Berlin. To date, the project has supported over 320 cultural managers from around 35 European countries. TANDEM supports cultural managers across Europe in joint projects on the topics of culture and civil society. During the one-year collaboration, participants meet for a mutual exchange. At the end of the project, participants prepare a presentation and have the opportunity to join the Europe-wide tandem network.

The foundation is also active in the online area. Its various portals enable information exchange and collaboration within the cultural sector.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b About Us . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  2. ^ Thematic Focus . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  3. ↑ Press Room. Retrieved November 21, 2018 .
  4. ↑ Our Team & Board . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  5. ↑ a b Annual Report 2016 . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  6. ^ ECF Princess Margriet Award for Culture . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  7. ^ Idea Camp . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  8. ↑ a b Grants & Exchanges . European Cultural Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ How does it work! . Tandem for Culture. Retrieved May 15, 2018.