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Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Congress of Culture Managers

Katowice 2015
Non-Commercial Project

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Idea and name

Over the last few years there has been a considerable development
of the cultural and creative sector, triggered by EU subsidies,
opening up to international initiatives and increasing social need for
participation in culture. It is a moment to pose the basic question:
"What is next with this culture?"
We have modern spaces, good artists and we create more and more works
of art which are remarkable. The next question which should be considered
is the level of Polish cultural management, as well as the competence
of managers.
The issue is important for the entire sector because it concerns several
thousand institutions and cultural organizations, including community centers,
libraries, theaters, opera houses, concert halls, museums, NGOs and also
interdisciplinary centers. We want to see how it looks in reality but also
to confront the current state of the consumers expectations and the reports
of modern management .

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Why this name?

1. The project has the status of a CONGRESS because it gathers a representation of outstanding people from the cultural profession. It is an open
event which is open both organizationally and conceptually. The event is
representative in terms of the developed ideas.
2. Using the term MANAGER in the name is not accidental and it is
a declaration of taking a position significant to the target audience of the
congress. The manager gives a clear indication of the scope of activities
of people involved in culture it is all about people who manage culture
at different levels (in community centers, associations, concert halls,
museums, etc.) but do not create works of art.
Culture Manager:
marketing & PR
human resource management of institution/events
community building
production and logistics of events
legal aspects
Institution and events budgeting
management of cultural projects /event management
building partnerships
3. CULTURE has a broad meaning with references both to subjects which
create it (taking into consideration non-governmental subjects and nonformalized groups), their scope of activities (activity in different fields)
and the relation between the sender, artist and recipient who changes
increasingly into an active participant.
4. KATOWICE 2015 It seems to us that the citys nomination for the title
of European Capital of Culture in 2016 initiated a huge creative potential. The
stereotype that the city is just a coal-mining, industrial, grey place with the
landscape of chimneys and smog hovering in the atmosphere is slowly disappearing. Katowice becomes one of the cultural centers in Poland where events
of international importance taken place. More and more investors appreciate
the advantages of this city. In addition, the opening of the new headquarters
of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the new hall of the Silesian
Philharmonic, the hall of the Academy of Music in Katowice and the whole
grass-root culture are epitomes of all phenomena concerning the past five
years, the process of social change through culture.

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Values of Congress

people
solutions

europeanness

professionalism

activities

cooperation

inspirations

future
dialogue

innovation

locality

competences

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Values of Congress

EUROPEANNESS

Heritage and tradition of the Old Continent are indispensable values for every
European. The way how they speak, move and behave are inseparably linked to
our origin. Europeanness is a value that must be appreciated, bearing in mind
the consequences which the awareness brings to that identity. It means not so
much territorial borders but the entire cultural heritage of the continent that
has shaped us as the citizens of Europe.

FUTURE

Our assumption is that looking back inhibits development and kills creativity.
The turn towards the future and thinking about what else you can do for
culture cannot happen without the memory of previous achievements.
However, progressive thinking is a cornerstone answer to the questions
bothering us. Future is what we can really influence and therefore we turn our
action towards its shaping.

COMPETENCES

Knowledge and skills are among the most appreciated human values today.
Their growth based on experience and education is the primary aim of the
organizers of the Congress of Culture Managers. The competences of culture
animators raise not only the quality of the organization's work but also the
level of realized projects, this is why we care for their growth.

SOLUTIONS

The key to finding a right solution is a good exposition of the problem. The
questions which are defined correctly often lead to accurate answers. Looking
for solutions to pressing issues is a priority of our work. We want to find them
by talks, discussions and a dialogue between the guests and participants
of the Congress. Organizng of this event is a step towards taking up the topic
of management and hence the search for solutions to the many problems
faced by cultural institutions.

LOCALITY

The Regional identity of culture institutions undoubtedly affects the nature

of activities. The local character of events is worth maintaining in the face
of continued global expansion. We follow the transnational ideas and encourage activities supporting the uniqueness of the place, this is why we foster the
tradition of the Silesian culture.

PROFESSIONALISM

The basis of every project is to involve staff in realization and a meritoric

approach to it. High competence of employees, adequate preparation
and the implemented standards of the organization are proof of the quality
of its activities. The Congress of Culture Managers promotes the idea
of effective and professional approach to cultural activities.

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Values of Congress

INSPIRATIONS

The creation of each project is caused by a certain vision how it should look
or present itself. Creating the vision is based on a number of inspirations to
which the creator makes references while fulfilling the task. It is important to
choose the most valuable and coherent ones with the idea of the project.

DIALOGUE

It means the transition from discussion to the level of understanding and cooperation. Dialogue means getting out of your comfort zone towards another
person in the circumstances that accompany this meeting. In practice, it aims
to exchange experiences, to reach a compromise and efficient operation.

ACTIVITIES

Conversations and ideas are one thing, but the project is brought to life
through action. It is associated with motivation, movement, activity which has
a real influence on the culture. As a value, it stands in opposition to stagnation
and monotony, and suggests solving real problems and taking concrete steps
using appropriate tools. The basis of this approach in the context of culture
management is project thinking a priority for every cultural animator and
manager.

INNOVATION

Innovation is the value of the modern world, not only in the context of the
industry but also in the culture. Culture Management, from the business
perspective, is our postulated approach, so rarely implemented and discussed.
This combination produces a number of innovations on the lower level, equally
important and affecting the quality of projects. Innovative thinking means
always being one step ahead. That is why the Congress of Culture Managers
is a place open to any suggestions concerning new solutions and tools in the
field of management.

COOPERATION

It is being open to compromise and common action, regardless of any type of

barriers. That means moving from dialogue to action initiated by cooperation.
It aims to develop unique methods of project implementation and maintain
links between cultural institutions across Europe. The initiatives which are
undertaken as a result of such cooperation enrich the cultural sector with new
solutions and interesting ideas worth continuing.

PEOPLE

They implement all of the above values. Without them, there would be no
dialogue, without their willingness to act there would be no cultural activity.
They are the reason and the purpose of development. Every project is realized
for them and thanks to them.

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Guidelines

Why are we organizing

the Congress?

Culture Management in Poland is not treated as an autonomous discipline

or the skill which helps build a career and can benefit the cultural and
artistic practice. We meet the expectations of people who work in the field
of cultural animation, organizing artistic, educational and social events,
but who still do not have a defined place in the creative sector. The lack
of managerial approach inhibits their development. We see a clear need
to fill this gap and we would like to initiate conversations and reflection on
management in culture. We hope that it will influence concrete actions and
will show the way in which we should think of cultural management.
The development of cultural activity that has recently taken place in Poland
is proof that similar actions have their meaning and goal. Many cities have
verified their attitude to culture management thanks to the efforts for the
title of European Capital of Culture. This is the key moment for the entire
sector and an opportunity to implement new management methods worked
out over the last few years. We cannot waste the energy and commitment
of people who have already put a lot of work into activities in the field
of culture.
Management is in fact an important area of cultural activities because it
improves work in institutions, companies, NGOs and makes them function in
an efficient and modern way, better communicating with the world, which,
in turn, is reflected in the quality of the organized projects.
We want to define the current state of institutions' awareness connected
with implementing management tools in the culture and find solutions to
strategic problems whose review and identification is one of the points
under consideration during the Congress. We believe that they will emerge
fully during the talks and discussions undertaken by participants of the
event. We would also like to confront different schools of thought in relation
to management and culture organization in the country. Our activities also
aim to develop a position regarding the future of culture not only in the
metropolitan areas but also on the outskirts of cities as well as district or
commune centers of culture.

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

For who?

We invite the activists of associations and foundations who are active

in the field of culture, directors of community and cultural centers; theaters,
operas and philharmonic orchestras; researchers and academics related
to the area of culture; journalists and all others interested in management
and the tools of creative management.

Place

Katowice
International Congress Centre
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestras headquarters
Silesian Museum in Katowice

Date

811 December 2015

Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Program

Part I
Day I

FORM: 1012 inspiring presentations in the form of short (20 minutes)

lectures, which comprehensively present the problem and stimulate
further discussion.
SUBJECT: Management of the institution / culture organization in practice
Presentations will be the beginning of new ideas and issues to work out and
implement. Some of the speakers are the guests from Poland and other
European countries and the other group will be represented by people who
want to apply and after the recruitment process will be among the speakers.
The presentation will enable you to gain knowledge of the broad context
management skills required in the cultural sector.

Part II
Day II

FORM: discussion sessions

SUBJECT:
1 area relations between the organizers of cultural activities
and the managers of culture
2 area libraries as modern cultural centers
3 area the role of the NGOs working in the cultural branch
4 area relations between the cultural sector and public administration
5 area the use of research activity in culture management
6 area effective event organization
7 area culture's aims within municipalities, communes and districts
8 area theoretical aspect of culture management
Discussion sessions will be an opportunity for exchanging information,
experience and good practice. They will also serve as a form of discussion
between the representatives of different groups, institutions and circles.

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Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Part III
Day III

FORM: workshops sessions

Session I
institution/organization of culture and its stakeholders
Main topics: management of the voluntary service, creation of the community,
relations with +50 group, creation of the audience - development meetings,
management of the audience's/clients' experiences, networking of the cultural
institutions, modern methods for the organization of programmes of the
cultural events.
Session II
institution/organization of culture and people
Main topics: managerial coaching in cultural institutions, management of
skills and competences, practical aspects of the HRM - development center,
methods of work evaluation for managerial positions in culture.
Session III
institution/organization of culture and funds
Main topics: civil business responsibility and support of the culture, crowdfunding, alternative ways of financing the operation of the institution of
culture, cooperation of the creative sectors and benefits to the cultural sector,
collaboration with the sponsors in two formulas: financial and non-financial.
Session IV
institution/organization of culture and its values
Main topics: mission and vision of the cultural institution, how to express it?,
strategy of the cultural institution, how to create it?, quality in culture, how to
implement it? Culture as a social and economic drive (the integrating role of
the culture, inspiring of the culture, conducive culture for innovations).
Session V
institution/organization of culture and new technologies
Main topics: strategies of the cultural institution in the social media and on
the Internet, social media as a tool of communication with the communities
involved, new technologies as creative methods of action.
Session VI
institution/organization of culture and image-building
Main topics: cultural institution's image in the Internet, the mechanism of
brand building, promotion and PR stategies of cultural instutution, creating the
coherent image in the media, working out the graphic identification of projects
Workshops will be orientated on getting practical skills among the participants
of the Congress.

Part IV
Day IV

FORM: specialized workshops

Workshops will be organized for those who choose to additionally remain
on the fourth day. The price of the accreditation does not include participation
in this day of the Congress.

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Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Organizers

Organizers

Initiative Association
National Cultural Centre
Katowice City Hall

Partners

Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

Polish National Audiovisual Institute
Adam Mickiewicz Institute
Marshals Office of the Silesian Voivodeship
Book Institute
Forum Krakw
Creative Europe Desk Poland

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Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Accompanying
events

Welcome party
Walks around Katowice
Concerts:
Tymon Tymaskia & Krzysztofa Trebuni-Tutki (TBC)
and The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensamble (TBC)
Film screenings
Theatrical performances
Visiting the new premises of Silesian Museum
7 billion Others exhibition
Exhibition of works by students of the Academy of Fine Arts
in Katowice

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Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Main Organizer

Initiative Association is an NGO, which have been actively shaping the cultural
life of the Silesian voivodeship since 1998. Activity of the association centres
around four spheres: cultural sphere, organization of training, research and
information.
The primary target of Initiative is the promotion of culture and art, in particular
the cinema. Since its formation, the association have organized the Cult Movie
Festival in Katowice (nowadaysThe Cropp Cult Movie Festival.) Over several
years Initiative have organized a huge number of different cultural events,
among others: Przegld filmw Andyego Warhola (review of Andy Warhols
films), Przegld Polskiej Animacji (review of Polish animation), a retrospective
Woody Allen w Katowicach (Woody Allens retrospective in Katowice).
Moreover, our association is the organizer of many outdoor movie events:
drive-in cinema in front of Spodek, special movie shows with live music, movie
shows in the districts of Katowice and neighboring cities and towns.
A very significant music event organized by the Association (since 2012)
is jaZZ & Beyond Improvised Music Festival which has an international
character and is an event of artistic and educational high rank.
Another area is education concerning the competences needed to manage
culture. For many years, Initiative, in collaboration with the Marshals Office
of the Silesian Voivodeship, have led training sessions for the managers
of culture. The Association also runs research activity it has realized the
project The programme of Cultural Product Promotion in Silesian Voivodeship,
which aim was to diagnose the state of culture in the Silesian Voivodeship. The
last area of Initative's interests are activities to improve the quality of cultural
information in the region. It runs the Silesiaspace an e-information system
of cultural events of Silesian Voivodeship. Silesiaspace serves to promote the
cultural offer in the city and region..
Between 2013 and 2015 Initiative has realized two international projects:
Humanists effective on the labor market and The young and competent in the
culture sector whose aim is to improve the situation of the graduates of human
sciences in the labor market in Silesian and d Voivodeship through creating
the programs of training sessions and placements. The organization was also
responsible for the idea and realization of the action In the region, about the
region, a series of training sessions on the regional education for teachers.

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Congress of Culture Managers, Katowice 2015

Tomasz Szabelski
T. 502 080 718
tomek@inicjatywa.org