In tr oductio n 1.1. Framewor k fo r thi s r epo r t Framework for the expert group The 2007 European Agenda for Culture opened a new chapter of cooperation in the cultural field among the European Union’s Member States, allowing for exchanges on topics of common interest and on which mutual learning can be particularly beneficial. Such exchanges take place through the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), a voluntary cooperation among Member States, sharing their practices and experiences so as to improve their own work. The priorities for the OMC are set out by the Council, through a Multiannual Work Plan. The Council Work Plan on culture 2011-14 also provides a precise indication of the topics to be dealt with in the four-year period under each broad priority. It specifies that under priority A (Cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and accessible and inclusive culture), for the period 2011-12 the OMC work should focus on the topic of better access to and wider participation in culture, especially for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. This report is the outcome of such work. In fact, access to culture remains a highly topical issue across Europe. Available data on cultural participation shows that a significant part of the population (albeit with very substantial differences across countries)1 still does not participate in mainstream cultural activities such as going to the cinema or reading books. Percentages of participation tend to be much lower for activities such as visiting a museum, with people in more deprived circumstances (in terms of income and education level) participating much less than people with higher education profiles and higher incomes. The importance of achieving a better and fairer distribution of chances to participate in culture has been emphasised by a set of Council conclusions in relation to access to culture. Among others, these include the 2010 Council conclusions on the role of culture in combating poverty and social exclusion, but also the 2011 Council conclusions on cultural and creative competences and the 2008 Council conclusions on intercultural competences.
1 See, for instance, Eurostat, http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/ portal/culture/data/cultural_participation; see chapters 8.2.1 of the Compendium on cultural policies, e.g. in Finland: http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/finland. php?aid=821,; in Austria: FES Institut für Empirische Sozialforschung (2007): Kultur-Monitoring Bevölkerungsbefragung. Studienbericht 2007, Vienna; in Italy: http://culturaincifre.istat.it/multiscopo/ index.php; and in Scotland (UK): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ ArtsCultureSport/arts/CulturalPolicy/ workinggroup/Cultural-participation
Therefore experts, mainly representing Ministries for Arts and Culture, were asked to identify policies and good practices of public arts and cultural institutions to promote better access to and wider participation in culture, including by disadvantaged groups and groups experiencing poverty and social exclusion. This report should be seen as closely connected, and in some ways the basis, for the following OMC phase on cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue (autumn 2012-13), in which experts will identify policies and good practices in creating spaces to facilitate exchanges among cultures and between social groups, with special regard to public cultural institutions. The issues concerning migrants’ and different ethnic groups’ participation will be looked at in more depth in that context.
Open method of coordination (OMC) Working group of EU Member States’ experts on better access to and wider participation in culture
OMC
5