To Share and Compare What does international networking mean to independent cultural centres in the Nordic countries? How do they make their international contacts matter? During the years 2008-2010 Trans Europe Halles (TEH), the European Network of Independent Cultural Centres, paid extra attention to independent cultural centres in the Nordic countries. Thanks to a grant from the Nordic Council of Ministers, TEH was able to create Trans Nordic Net, an informal platform with the aim to facilitate exchange between Nordic TEH members, to encourage their active involvement in the life of TEH and to test projects that later could be implemented on a European level.
Text, editing, layout: Karl Hallberg, Not Quite Idea & project management: Anna Weitz, Trans Europe Halles Proof reading: Marian Sรถderholm, Trans Europe Halles Photos: page 16: Subtopia, all other photos: TEH Archive This publication is produced under a Creative Commons Licence 3.0 (Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike). You may copy, distribute and show in public the texts and translations for non-commercial purposes.
Looking back, a few outcomes stand out. During the project period, six Nordic leaders of cultural centres got together and created a forum for structured discussion about professional issues at stake in their in their daily work. This forum was very successful and sparked a discussion in the whole network about the importance of leadership for promoting mobility and professional development in an international context. The concept has developed into TEH Leaders Lab, a project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, which kicks off in the Spring 2011. Another exciting result is the emerging TEH Media Network, initiated by the Swedish TEH member Subtopia in Botkyrka, Stockholm, and now involving centres across Europe and beyond. Nevertheless, reading the interviews in this booklet, it becomes clear that it is not the number of projects that makes a network matter. It is the sense of having colleagues to share and compare with. In this booklet delegates from the 13 Nordic TEH members as of December 2010, reflect on what it means to be part of an international network, and what they would like to use the network for in the future. The interviews have been carried out by Karl Hallberg, president of Not Quite in Fengersfors, Sweden, one of the newest Nordic TEH members. Many thanks to Karl Hallberg and everyone interviewed. Anna Weitz, Project Manager Trans Nordic Net Lund, December 2010
TEH has been awarded a multi-annual operational grant by the Nordic Council of Ministers for the project Trans Nordic Net. The work programme of TEH has been funded with the support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. TEH has received operational grants from the City of Lund and the Swedish Arts Council. The TEH Coordination Office is hosted by Mejeriet.