FEMINIST FUTURES is a project by the international network apap – advancing performing arts project, which currently consists of 11 European cultural organisations. In addition, 21 artists are associated with the project. FEMINIST FUTURES is co-funded by the Creative European Programme of the European Union and has an ambitious aim: to instigate powerful social change through art. The main goal of the project is to address inequality in the contemporary performing arts and to raise public awareness.

During the festival, apap’s core team, some 35 people, will meet in Kortrijk to look back and forward. We take stock after four years of Feminist Futures and examine what our work and our collaborations within the field could look like in the future. Within the framework of a World Cafe, we would like to invite professionals – managers, curators, artists, anyone involved in the sector – to join us for an afternoon of roundtables. Each roundtable is hosted by an artist or a member of an organisation of the apap network and addresses a particular topic. Some examples: ‘What does a feminist business model look like?’, ‘How can we apply the concept of degrowth to our cultural institutions?’, ‘What role do funders and policy makers play in the dissemination of a feminist perspective in the arts sector?’.

We will work on a rotation basis, so you can sit at different tables in one afternoon and join multiple discussions. Between the roundtables-discussions, there is time for refreshments, some rest, chats or some movement exercises.

We would also like to address related issues that refer to the very current cultural-political situation in the arts sector. We see that the current cuts in cultural budgets all over Europe and the questioning of freedom of expression in parts of Europe as a strain on the relationship between artists and institutions/ organisations and as relevant to discuss from a feminist perspective.

Our interest is to provide a space for debate and critical thinking. Furthermore, we would like to create – together with the visitors – a space that allows for different positions, a space in which people respect and listen to each other.

Snacks and refreshments will be available during the afternoon. Possibility to have dinner at the Festival Café (open from 16:00 to 00:00)

More info: www.apapnet.eu

This project is part of the European programme apap – FEMINIST FUTURES, a project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union