In the past two decades, art and culture centres born from citizen initiative have multiplied in many regions in Asia and Europe. These places are created and managed by people who come from different backgrounds and, in many cases, do not receive formal arts management training. Nevertheless, their so-called Independent Creative Art Spaces are often leading cultural organisations that exercise a great cultural influence in the local context.

Recognising this, ASEF in close partnership with Artfactories and Trans Europe Halles co-organised a five-day intensive workshop for 21 artists and managers from 19 ASEM countries. The workshop concentrated on the role and importance of the artists and manager in multi-disciplinary Independent Creative Art Spaces, by encouraging discussions on issues such as cultural management strategies and contemporary artistic practices. It also aimed to be a launch pad for eventual future collaborations between Asia and Europe.

Various interactive sessions examined different aspects of managing an art space in relation to real life case studies. Challenges in planning, human resources, budgeting, fundraising, communication as well as issues around community involvement and audience development were discussed and presented by external facilitators, namely: Audrey Wong (Singapore), Howard Chan (Hong Kong SAR), Birgitta Person (Sweden) Camille Dumas (France), Paul Bogen (UK), Sigrid Niemer (Germany) Raoul Grunstein (Finland), Annette Wolfsberger (Austria), Tay Tong (Singapore) and Guy-Andre Lagesse (France).

This training empowered the participants as leaders in their field and created a basis and opportunity for long term exchange and co-operation. An online publication prepared by John Fitzgerald (Ireland) will enable to share this experience with an even larger group of enthusiastic artists and managers of independent creative spaces in Asia and Europe.

For more information on this project please visit http://indepartspacestraining2007.wordpress.com or contact Katelijn Verstraete at Katelijn.verstraete@asef.org