A short version of the announcement for the KUPF Innovation Pool 2005
Cultural work in the new millennium has to face new challenges. The central battle of the 70s and 80s for spaces and the public sphere has meanwhile become archived history. Many of the sites that were fought for and even the activists have largely come to terms with the political structures. In part, a retreat to demarcated fields of work can be noted, whereby securing one’s own little patch of ground – not least of all due to the actual political situation – takes precedence.
If this pessimistic approach is taken further, it seems only logical that the search for the „next generation“, for new activists and people to generate new ideas, is given a low priority. By building up access barriers, both consciously and unconsciously, it is possible to retain all the knowledge that has been acquired, the knowledge that would be needed by future co-workers as an „instrument“, within a closed framework. This also hinders questioning authorities. It is not uncommon for this situation to be rooted in a reluctance to engage in conflict. Yet it is conflicts that can enable the introduction of a dynamic into rigid traditional systems again.
In this context, the old saying that „knowledge is power“ takes on a new significance. The counter-strategy would be to pass on archived knowledge – meaning archive in every form here – thus opening up new approaches and access possibilities.
It is passing on knowledge and making it accessible that first creates the starting conditions for participatively and actively taking part in shaping living conditions within the framework of cultural work.
However:
- Where is the knowledge that would be interesting for „new arrivals“ and could also convey the work of the association, the initiative?
- What are the possibilities for active participation, if knowledge is archived, but the archive is not accessible?
- How can knowledge be made exciting and open to experience?
- How does one deal with conflicts – between generations, for example?
- How can conflicts be perceived as engaging and positive?
The Kupf extends an invitation to consider archives and the knowledge they contain as media of positioning and sites of activity.
The KUPF Innovation Pool invites submissions of projects, which
- take place in Upper Austria or whose subject matter can establish a strong relationship to Upper Austria;
- are located in the field of contemporary art and/or culture and relate to the announcement text;
- have a regional or local relevance;
- cross boundaries (geographically or thematically)
- are distinguished by an unconventional and, in the regional context, innovative idea;
- guarantee gender equality in their planning and execution;
- give preference to protagonists and/or include as target group socially disadvantaged groups.
Formal Criteria:
Deadline for submissions: Monday, 14 February 2005 (postmarked)
Entrants can be independent cultural initiatives or individuals or groups, regardless of origins, residence or nationality. Entries will not be accepted from regional administrative bodies, public departments, churches, political parties, employees and board members of the Upper Austrian Cultural Platform (KUPF) or the KUPF itself.
The submissions must conform to the Guidelines for Submissions (www.kupf.at).
Projects that have already been started or realized cannot be funded by the Innovation Pool.
Jury & Grant
A five-person jury will make a selection from the submitted projects at a jury meeting open to the public in March 2005 and allocate at least 75.000 Euro from the funds from the Cultural Support office of the Federal Province of Upper Austria.
Consultation & additional information
The KUPF offers a meeting for interested entrants to discuss questions of content and organization.
Date, location: 21 January 2005, 4 p.m. at KunstRaum Goethestra?e, Goethestra?e 222, 4020 Linz
In addition, the KUPF will also be happy to answer any questions by telephone.
Contact:
KUPF – Kulturplattform O÷
Hofgasse 12/1, 4020 Linz
Tel.: 0732/79 42 88, Fax: 0732/79 42 89