Baltic Theatre Policy Review III

Conference Baltic Theatre Policy Review III will focus on performing arts policy in Baltic countries.

Organized by the New Theatre Institute of Latvia in partnership with the Theatre and Cinema Information and Education Center of Lithuania, Lithuanian Dance Information Center and Intercult (Sweden).

• presentations from three Baltic countries (analysis of the performing arts policy from the perspective of possibilities for the development innovative arts).

• presentation of case studies of possible solutions (e.g. Arts Council, Cultural Endowment, Theatre Law: pro and cons)

• evaluation and proposals by invited experts 

• comments from the Ministries of culture and politicians, Parliament members etc.

• moderated debates

Objectives:

• Raising awareness of important role of cultural policy in the development of innovative performing arts field.

• To present the existing diversity in performing arts (international events, contemporary dance etc.) and the gap between it and the official cultural policy.

•  To analyze the missing instruments in performing arts policies in Baltic countries necessary for the diversity and innovative developments.

• To propose solutions, recommendations, changes in existing performing arts policies defining minimum requirements for development of innovative performing arts field.

Background:

Since the collapse of Soviet regime crucial changes in economics, politics, society and culture have occurred. Along with the development of the democratic society and market economy changes had to be obvious in the cultural policy as well. However, transition period has generated loss of criteria and confusion instead of a serious input into the change of cultural policy and distribution of public funds to culture.

During the last 10 years numerous non-governmental organisations have been established performing innovative activities in performing arts field. Contemporary dance, international events, inter-sectoral projects, alternative training projects are some of these activities. However, performing arts policies on the state level are still ignoring all these developments mainly focusing on sustainability of existing state institutions.

In this context the New Theatre Institute of Latvia is proposing a range of events advocating for the change of cultural policy on the state level. 

The first seminar Baltic Theatre Policy Review (BPTR) took place October 1999 in Riga. Situation in performing arts field was presented by representatives from the Ministries of Culture from all Baltic countries. Invited experts from Western European organizations expressed their view on possible changes and compared the existing situation with their experience. The event was organized by the New Riga Theatre in co-operation with Intercult (Sweden) and the New Theatre Institute of Latvia. It was supported by Soros Foundation - Latvia, Culture Capital Foundation Latvia and Swedish Institute.

BPTR II will take place June 2000 in Vilnius and will focus on new organizational forms of performing arts institutions as open venue, production house, information center etc. The event will be organized by Theatre and Cinema Information and Education Center of Lithuania, Lithuanian Dance Information Center, the New Theatre Institute of Latvia in co-operation with Intercult (Sweden).

BPTR III in Riga will be the next step presenting comparative research on performing arts policies in Baltic countries and providing the recommendations on the possible changes.

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