Dear ELIA Newsletter Reader,
In this Newsletter we have put a main focus on developments on research in higher arts education in Europe, a topic high on the ELIA agenda.
The 10th Biennial Conference early bird registration deadline was reached 15 June. Many participants signed in and will join us in Gothenburg in October. There are some places left and you can still register for the full membership fee ( € 525,-).
For more information, see www.eliabiennial.org .
We are in the process of printing the report of the Leadership Symposium in Hong Kong, which all ELIA members will receive by post and others can order online soon. This afternoon, I am leaving for the first steering group meeting of the 4th ELIA Leadership Symposium that will take place in Zurich, 2-4 December 2009.
Please contact us with comments, suggestions and ideas.
I wish you a pleasant read!
Warm regards,
Carla Delfos
Executive Director ELIA
The Importance of Artistic Research and its Contribution to 'New Knowledge' in a Creative Europe
The ELIA strategy paper on artistic research sets out an approach for the immediate future with regard to the development of a research culture and the creation of ‘new knowledge’ in Higher Arts Education. The inclusion of the third cycle in the Bologna process has had significant impact: many institutes of the arts are now in the process of establishing research teams and centres, and have developed a research infrastructure, policy and strategy.
It is not the role of ELIA to articulate or create a fixed position on behalf of its members on the definition of arts research. Its primary function is to stimulate further cross disciplinary and cross institutional discourse with the aim of creating a persuasive, compelling and collective argument focused towards all interested parties, advocating the essential value and importance of arts research as a significant and specialist contribution to new knowledge.
Therefore, the strategy paper expresses ELIA’s full commitment to:
- Intensify its function as a European platform for constructive debate between researchers, research centres, and member institutions on standards and new developments;
- Compile expertise and contribute to the scrutiny of quality of research through peer review in order to promote the spread of good practice;
- Establish an internal monitoring group to coordinate and evaluate ELIAs various research initiatives across its wide range of projects and events.
A new network facilitating international networking within the field of artistic research between is currently being prepared by the faculty of fine, applied and performing arts of the University of Gothenburg in the framework of Strand 3 of artesnet Europe and the ELIA Biennial Conference. The network will be launched at the ELIA Biennial conference in October 2008.
The network will gradually develop a website and provide a forum for researchers, PhD students and recent graduates. It will also list supervisors who are internationally active and promote links between supervisors. Research Centres, PhD Programmes, Graduate Schools and international Research Networks will be offered the opportunity to participate in the network and to present their initiative. The website will also publish news, announcements, reports on debates and links with European funding.
If you wish your initiative to be part of the first presentation of the network as an example of good practice, please contact Cecilia Gelin, University of Gothenburg.
Zurich University of the Arts 24 – 26 April 2008
Organised in collaboration with ELIA, the generation/production/creation of knowledge in the arts conference offered the opportunity to learn about artistic projects going on at the moment. Debates focused on the concept of ‘knowledge’, both theoretically and in practice, and on different kinds of knowledge. A key debate on how to move forward concluded there is a need for more ‘stability of discourse’ on artistic research in Europe: continuous platforms for debate, greater visibility and accessibility of arts research, intensifying networking and exchange of examples of good practice were considered crucial. The general feeling expressed was to avoid the risk of over-institutionalising arts research. It was considered important to continue discussing about quality without aiming to establish European standards. Peer reviews were mentioned as a way to gain further experience. Conversations between the ELIA delegates are developing into a more permanent ELIA monitoring group on artistic research.
to be published in 2009
Funded by the Swedish Riksbanken Cultural Fund, the prospective handbook on the current situation of artistic research in Europe will review current developments in artistic research in Europe and involves more than 20 authors. ELIA president Chris Wainwright takes part in the editorial committee for the Handbook.
Symposium on artistic research at the 10th ELIA Biennial Conference
30 – 31 October 2008, Gothenburg
In this symposium leading European researchers and artists will engage critically in four important research projects and discuss new tendencies in the field of artistic research.
Around the central research exhibition at the Gothenburg Museum of Fine Art other artistic research exhibitions will be on show as well, of academic and non-academic character. We will present them in a coming newsletter. Gothenburg, during the ELIA Biennial, will be the place to be for all who take an interest in new forms of research and researching art.
The main exhibition, called Talking loud and sayin’ something, presents a "full scale account" of four research projects, which is also the point of departure for the symposium. It is curated by Mika Hannula, professor in Gothenborg and author of several books on artistic research.
The exhibition will show works of artists Heli Rekula (Helsinki), Sopawan Boonimitra (Bangkok), Annica Karlsson-Rixon (Gothenborg) and Jacqueline Donachie (Glasgow).
Read more >>
Start National Graduate School of Creative Arts and Media Ireland
8-9 May 2008, Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar, Dublin
The GradCAM is a unique initiative between four institutions: Dublin Institute of Technology, National College of Art & Design, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology, and the University of Ulster. The start was celebrated with an international conference “Arts Research: State of Play”, announced in the previous newsletter.
The conference focused on recently finished PhDs and established points at which the debate has moved forward in the last five years. It concluded that it is less about ‘what is research’ and more about experimenting with different ways of research, whether or not practice-based. It also pinpointed the importance of and interest in linking with societal problems and interaction with the sciences.
At the conference a ‘draft Code of Practice in the Provision of Postgraduate Research Programmes by Practice in Irish Third Level Institutions’ was launched. The code has been generated by the Working Group on Practice-based Research in the Arts in collaboration with the Irish Higher Education and Training Awards Council and is based on wide consultation. It covers the following:
- Understanding and contextualising practice-based research in the arts
- Qualifications and programme structures
- The challenges of supervision
- The research environment
- The presentation of the research and assessment
- The economic dividend: current performance and future potential.
www.gradcam.ie
New European doctoral curriculum in music education
Orpheus Institute, Ghent - Royal College of Music, London
As part of the Flemish – Dutch English-spoken doctoral programme docARTES eight higher arts education institutions in three European countries developed the first joint European doctoral curriculum in music, coordinated by the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. This will run at the Orpheus Institute and the Royal College of Music London from September 2008.
www.orpheusinstituut.be
www.rcm.ac.uk
Winning scripts selected
ELIA issued a call for proposals for short videos (maximum 3 minutes) within the context of the European Commission's promotion of multilingualism. The competition is being organised as a contribution to the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, EYID.
We received applications from nearly 100 students from art schools located in 18 different countries. An international jury gathered in London on 5-6 May in order to select the winning scripts. 28 were selected.
The winning students produce a video on a theme that reflects Europe's linguistic diversity and the role played by different languages in intercultural dialogue in Europe.
Read more >>
All results from the inter}artes thematic network 2004 - 2007 in one Handbook + DVD.
Three years of experience in the inter}artes thematic network have led to the production of the handbook Tapping into the potential of Higher Arts Education in Europe. It summarizes the outcomes of the network and assesses the progress made in the implementation of Bologna in higher arts education.
ELIA member institutions can order the Handbook for free by ordering online. Others can order the book by ordering online for € 15,- + € 10,- shipping costs. Inter}artes partner institutions will receive the Handbook for free mid April.
The Handbook comprises:
- Findings and Results: conclusions and articles on Quality Assurance and Enhancement; Tuning and Qualifications Frameworks; Innovation and Tradition and Professional Practice.
- Reference Documents & Toolkits: four Tuning Documents and a Reading Grid on knowledge, skills and competences for Higher Arts Education; Guidelines for Quality Assurance and Enhancement; Toolkit Student Tracking and the Emappa plan for a European Master’s course/module on Advanced Professional Practice.
- Case Studies and Narratives: seven innovative case studies building on distinct artistic and cultural traditions and personal reports from inter}artes partners.
To order your copy click here .
DVD - The Language of the Arts and intercultural dialogue
The project "The Language of the Arts and intercultural dialogue" is unique in empowering European film students in a cross border collaborative artistic and political experience, and in encountering cultural diveristy practice supported by civil society actors.
The aim of the project was to produce a documentary film high lighting the value of culture in facilitating intercultural dialogue in Europe. The final result is a 45 minute documentary, a rich multifaceted collage of contemporary issues.
It was shown on 4 June during the Rainbow Platform (Civil Society Platform for Intercultural Dialogue) in Brussels, and will also be shown during the Jerusalem Film Festival 10-19 July 2008.
ELIA member institutions can order the DVD for free by ordering online. Others can order the DVD by ordering online for € 15,- + € 5,- shipping costs.
To order your copy click here .
Read more >>
artesnet site launched
The website for ELIA partnership network is now online at www.artesnet.eu . Here, you can find the agenda and latest news, information on all the strands, important documents for download, and the panel of Higher Arts Education experts in quality enhancement (see below).
register of experts in quality enhancement
Following a training session at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design on 29 April – 2 May, the register of experts that resulted from inter}artes has been refreshed and expanded. The register consists of experts trained in the field of Quality Assurance and enhancement, that have gained broad experience in peer review and self-evaluation processes. They are frequently invited by individual arts institutions and national quality assurance agencies to undertake institutional quality assurance or programme reviews. To consult their expertise, please contact .
Read more >>
- E3'Film Première at Prix Europa Festival, Berlin (Germany), 18-19 October
- ELIA Biennial Conference, Gothenburg (Sweden), 29 October - 1 November
- ELIA Teachers’ Academy, Sofia (Bulgaria), 1-3 July, 2009
- ELIA Leadership Symposium, Zurich (Switzerland), 2-4 December, 2009
Culture Programme 2007-2013
Call for proposals 2008
Info days in Brussels, 24 June and Budapest, 27 June
The call for proposals 2008 for the European Commission’s Culture Programme has been published in the Official Journal of the European Commission. The full text can be downloaded here.
For those that want to know more, the EACEA is organising info days at the end of this month in Brussels and Budapest. Click here for venues, programme and registration.
More information will also be available soon on the EC and EACEA websites:
European Commission – Culture
EACEA
Present your Master’s initiative at the ELIA Gothenburg Biennial Conference!
Everywhere in Europe colleagues in arts institutions are developing new master’s courses. We are curious to know what exactly is going on and feel that exchange of experience is crucial in this stage. We offer the opportunity:
- to present and discuss your initiative in Gothenburg; 3 waived fees available
- to become part of a collection of ‘inspiring’ practice examples in Europe (poster session in Gothenburg and/or publication on website)
- to participate in a report on the current state of play of master’s initiatives across Europe and problems that are being encountered
- to meet colleagues
- enhance opportunities of arts students in professional life
- experiment with new ways of learning and teaching, projects and research
- contribute to the advancement in an arts discipline or across disciplines
- address new themes or issues such as lifelong learning
- pilot collaboration, locally, nationally and internationally
- develop joint curricula and mobility of students
On behalf of Strand 3 Artesnet Europe,
Marje Lohuaru, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
Truus Ophuysen, ELIA
Points of concern:
- Title of the course
- Philosophy, innovative elements and background of the course
- Student target group, professional perspectives
- Curriculum focus: practice or project-oriented; research or taught
- Set up of the course, partner institutions or other organisations involved
- Degree, ECTS, duration, accreditation
- Institution and contact person; weblinks
Call for proposals for young reseachers
Cumulus Conference 2008 on Design & Research
20-23 November, Saint-Étienne, France
The Saint-Étienne School of Art and Design (ESADSE) will organise and host the Cumulus Conference 2008 on design & research from 20-23 November, during the 6th Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial, organised by the Cité du Design.
The Cumulus Conference Saint-Etienne 2008 issues a call for proposals based on the below three themes. The call is open to young researchers of any discipline that judge their research work concern or impact design. The steering committee of the Cumulus Conference Saint-Etienne 2008 will select 5 to 6 proposals for each theme. Experimental and innovative projects are more expected than academic ones.
Themes of the Call for Proposals:
- Design, landscape and environment
- Design and social innovation
- Design, interaction and digital technology
22nd World Congress on Dance Research
Athens, Greece, 2-6 July 2008
This is the largest gathering of dance specialists world-wide, the best opportunity to showcase one's work to a wide audience of practitioners, dance teachers, choreographers, researchers, journalists and organizers. All forms of dance are represented. 700 specialists from 64 countries took part in 2006.
The congress is organized by the Dora Stratou Dance Theater and the Athens Section CID, in collaboration with the International Dance Council CID.
While intended primarily for professionals, it is at the same time a trade fair and a participatory event, facilitating contacts with colleagues, informal discussions and individual initiative.
The program includes:
- Presentation and discussion of original research reports (papers)
- Classes, lecture-demonstrations, video projections
- Performances by dance companies, duos or solos
- Exhibitions and sale of books, records, pictures, costumes, accessories etc.
- Visits to places of special interest, such as dance schools, museums, sites etc.
- Evenings where members can discuss in a relaxed setting.
28th ISME World Conference 2008
20-25 July, Bologna, Italy
This year’s world conference of the International Society of Music Education (ISME) takes place in Bologna, Italy. Keynote speakers are:
- José Antonio Abreu, President of Foundation of Venezolean Youth Orchestras
- Marc Jaffrey, Leader of Music Manifesto
- Carla Fracci, Director of corps de ballet, Rome Opera Theatre
- Aaron Dworkin, President of Sphynx organization
Electronic Information, the Visual Arts & Beyond
22-24 July, British Computer Society, London
EVA London is held annually in July. It is for people - artists, policy makers, managers, researchers, practitioners, audience evaluators and educators - interested in or using the new technologies in the cultural sector, with a particular focus on visualisation.
EVA London
- has a focus on visualisation for the arts and culture - interpreted broadly to include its impications, effects, and consequent strategies and policies
- covers the burgeoning creative uses of digital media for works of art and creative productions
- is a forum for European projects to disseminate the results of EC investment in technology for culture and the arts, and to publicise and explain funding opportunities
- is a networking event for other groups and projects
- includes a free-of-charge Research Workshop for MA, MSc and PhD students, and others, to share their research in a friendly and informal setting
Confluences - International Conference on Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue
23-25 July, Festival Pireneos Sur, Panticosa (Spain)
The Interarts Foundation and the Spanish Ministry of Culture are organising an event entitled Confluences - International Conference on Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue, which will be held in Panticosa (Huesca, Spain), on 23-25 July, in the framework of the Pirineos Sur music festival. Confluences is an official event of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
The programme combines a series of testimonials, discussions on cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue and presentations of relevant artistic initiatives. A range of issues including intercultural dialogue in everyday life, its effects on creativity, its implications for public authorities and the place of diversity in the media will be analysed.
Attendance is open to professionals, students and any other interested members of the public. Sessions will be held in Spanish, English and French.
icd@interarts.net
www.interarts.net
Third international Conference on THE ARTS IN SOCIETY
28-31 July, Birmingham Institute of Arts and Design
The purpose of the annual Arts Conference is to create an intellectual frame of reference for the arts and arts practices, and to create an interdisciplinary conversation on the role of the arts in society. It is intended as a place for critical engagement, examination, and experimentation of ideas that connect the arts to their contexts in the world, on stage, in museums and galleries, on the streets, and in communities.
The theme of this year’s Conference is Art as Communication. Its scope is deliberately broad and ambitious. Our times demand nothing less than cross-disciplinary and holistic approaches. The breadth of the conference and its accompanying journal, however, are without prejudice to finely grained discussion of the specific, the local, and the grounded practices.
Read more on the arts'08 conference website
5th International Conference on Cultural Policy Research
20-24 August 2008, Yeditepe University, Istanbul
ICCPR 2008, the International Conference on Cultural Policy Research, aims to provide an outlet for an interdisciplinary and international exploration of the meaning, function and impact of cultural policies. Cultural policy is understood as the promotion or prohibition of cultural practices and values by governments, corporations, other institutions and individuals. Such policies may be explicit, in that their objectives are openly described as cultural, or implicit, in that their cultural objectives are concealed or described in other terms. The historical range is not limited to any given period, but the ICCPR is primarily concerned with material that is relevant to the contemporary world and which contributes to a fruitful international exchange of ideas.
ICCPR 2008 acknowledges the multiplicity of meanings around the idea of culture and the inter-relationship of these meanings. However, whilst it takes a broad view of culture, encompassing a wide range of signifying practices that include the products of the media, the arts and various forms of government or religious display, ICCPR 2008 will attempt to maintain a focus on policies relating to culture as symbolic communication rather than culture in the anthropological sense as 'a whole way of life'.
iccpr2008.yeditepe.edu.tr
Questioning Qualities: an international working conference on fundamental problems of artistic research
5th Sensuous Knowledge Conference, 24-26 september 2008
Bergen National Academy of the Arts
Under the heading “Questioning Qualities” this year’s Sensuous Knowledge conference will focus upon values within and criteria for an appraisal of quality in artistic research - including the overall question of whether these differ from values and criteria for quality within the arts themselves. As in the former conferences the general aim is a double one: to develop ways of talking about, analyzing and evaluating examples of artistic research, and to consider the special character of cognition related to artistic creativity.
Registration for the conference has unfortunately closed on 16 June. However, more information can be found at www.sensuousknowledge.org .
VCA Director and Dean Andrea Hull to step down after 14 years’ service
Director and Dean of the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts at the University of Melbourne, Professor Andrea Hull AO, is to retire from the position in March next year after an impressive 14 years of service, it was announced today.
Professor Hull, who has led the VCA through many changes since 1995, is leaving to pursue other interests. She will begin her transition by taking leave from mid-September to complete an MBA and represent the VCA at a number of important international events.
VCA Head of Art, Associate Professor Su Baker, will be Acting Director until a new Director and Dean is appointed.
www.vca.unimelb.edu.au
Dirk van Damme appointed at OECD
International educational expert Professor Dirk van Damme, currently chef de cabinet of the Flemish Minister of Education Frank Vandenbroucke has been appointed head of the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) at the OECD in Paris. CERI has an international reputation for pioneering educational research, opening up new fields for exploration and combining rigorous analysis with conceptual innovation.
Dirk van Damme is well exposed towards the arts and higher arts education both in Flanders and internationally. Dirk was a keynote speaker at ELIA’s biennial conference in Dublin 2002 and provided a critical analysis of the Bologna Process in the 2004 publication ‘On the Move, Sharing experience on the Bologna Process in the Arts’.
CERI homepage
If there are remarkable appointments or changes that you would like to be mentioned in the ELIA newsletter, please contact
ELIA receives operational support from the European Commission through the ArtFutures grant. This newsletter reflects the views only of the author, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.