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About - MeM Agents

About
the project

About
the project

“Agents of Change: Mediating Minorities” is an international project which unites together five cultural and civil society organisations from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden.

Here you will learn how we use art mediation as a powerful tool to make our societies more open and inclusive. It is a place for learning and exchange, sharing resources and information related to cultural mediation.

Together we seek and test new interaction models between minorities, cultural institutions, and civil society organisations to contribute and shape the policies supporting cultural diversity, inclusion, and societal integration.

The project is being implemented in 2020-2022 and funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.

In the course of the project, we

• explore the art mediation approach that has recently gained popularity in the audience development work of the art museums and galleries;

• showcase that art mediation can serve as a tool for solving inclusion and diversity issues as well as a means for fostering an intercultural dialogue;

• pave the way to more inclusive and cohesive societies through bringing some previously excluded groups on board;

• co-create artworks that will engage people and communities in debate, collaboration, or social interaction;

• define, analyse and incorporate successful practices into the work of partner institutions.

Educational course

Throughout spring 2021, we have been organising an educational course on art mediation and inclusion for 40 future agents of change – art mediators. 11 weeks, 8 video podcasts, Q&A sessions with experts, and 32 local workshops on art-mediation, dialogue, art, and social change, the role of art institutions, nonverbal communication, applied theatre, art therapy, storytelling, and many more. Video podcasts are freely available on our YouTube channel.

Art mediation in practice

Mediation and collaboration with artists is a practical part of the educational programme. In August 2021, we are planning to organise local art camps for art mediators in every partner country: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden. The local programme will be complemented by a joint international programme. 

In autumn 2021, art mediators will work together with the chosen artists on participatory art projects addressing social issues. Art mediation series and discussions will be open to the broader public.

 

 

Summarising and sharing

In 2022, we will dive into analysis, summarizing what has been achieved, and how others can learn from our experience. We will present the best project practices and approaches to the other cultural institutions, civil society organisations, and representatives of authorities.

In addition, from the early stages of the project development, the evaluation team has been collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data through surveys, interviews, observations, and project records to provide feedback to the project team and evaluate the outcomes and socio-cultural impacts of the project.

Cultura-säätiö

Cultura Foundation promotes social integration processes in Finnish society by means of culture, art, and dialogue. It focuses on encouraging active participation of the Russian-speaking minority, challenges cultural institutions to become more inclusive, and supports education and research on the Russian language and culture in Finland.

Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art

The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA) is the largest institution of contemporary art in Latvia that curates and produces contemporary art events of national and international scale.

DOTS Foundation for an Open Society

DOTS unites people devoted to strengthening the quality and culture of democracy in Latvia. It promotes participatory democracy by inspiring a democratic conversation and advancing the culture of discussion, inciting people’s interest in societal and political processes, and fostering people’s active participation in public life. DOTS is the founder and co-organizer of the LAMPA Conversation festival.

Tallinn City Museum

Tallinn City Museum is a municipal museum that encompasses a number of different sites both in Tallinn’s medieval Old Town as well as in the districts of Kadriorg and Kalamaja. The museum was established in 1937 to preserve, present, and research the history and cultural heritage of Tallinn.

Tensta Konsthall

Tensta konsthall is an art center in the Stockholm suburb of Tensta. Founded through a grassroots initiative in 1998, it is known to combine a high-profile program of international contemporary art with an ambition to be a palpable presence in the neighborhood.

Creative Europe

Creative Europe is the European Commission’s framework programme for support to the culture and audiovisual sectors. Creative Europe’s stated aims are to: help the cultural and creative sectors seize the opportunities of the digital age and globalisation; enable the sectors to reach their economic potential, contributing to sustainable growth, jobs, and social cohesion; give Europe’s culture and media sectors access to new international opportunities, markets, and audiences.