Presentation of a New Cultural Participation Model With Audience Development And Engagement Modules
BERLIN, September 20 – During the annual IKTf conference of the Cultural Management Association, Aleksandar Vl. Markovic, the Director of EARTH PR and President of the Center for Applied Music, presented a new cultural participation model. Titled “Innovating Cultural Participation: Applied Music As A Tool For Engaging Diverse Audiences In Museums And Galleries,” this model was complemented by comprehensive research findings from Belgrade and Serbia. The research delved into the application, implementation, and impact of Synomusic (applied music for galleries and museums) on audience development and cultural participation within these institutions.
“Participating in this conference was both a tremendous honor and a pleasure. It provided a unique opportunity to engage with numerous international cultural experts and contribute to the conference’s outcomes. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our team and the supporting organizations: Biljana Jokić, Ivana Luković, Misha Cvijović, Dušan Đorđević, Earth PR, Museum of Science and Technology Belgrade, Institute for the Study of Cultural Development Serbia, Ministry of Culture and Information (Serbia), and Visaris.”- said Aleksandar Vl. Markovic.
The IKTf organized the annual conference of the Cultural Management Association in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences (HTW) and the Macromedia Berlin University. From September 20th to 22nd, approximately 170 conference participants gathered in Berlin to collectively reflect on the current state and future prospects of participation in the cultural sector.
The rotating conference locations offered both domestic and international guests a chance to explore the various facets of Berlin. These ranged from the Kreuzberg backyard, where Macromedia University is situated, to the picturesque banks of the Spree, home to the University of Economics and Technology campus, and up to the balcony of the German Museum of Technology, which provided a panoramic view of the capital. The conference participants convened there for the welcome reception on the first evening.
Over the course of the conference, there were 13 thematic panel sessions featuring a total of 47 individual contributions, along with four practical workshops and a film screening. These sessions examined cultural participation from various perspectives, including those of museums, stages, cultural institutions, and the employees as key actors. Additionally, the discussions encompassed cultural policy aspects, the cultural audience both nationally and internationally, funding as a critical factor for the success of cultural participation, and the role of research and university teaching in addressing this topic. The Young Academics Forum and two poster sessions offered (young) scientists from diverse fields and disciplines the opportunity to present their research projects and engage in collective reflection.
Interactive formats were employed throughout the conference, such as co-creation sessions and a fishbowl discussion on the topic “How to? Why change needs more than good will.” These formats allowed conference participants to actively participate and shape the respective discussions. Among the numerous highlights, we must mention the inspiring opening address by Prasanna Oommen on the second day. It focused on the framework and success conditions required for sustainable change within the cultural sector. Furthermore, a round table discussion at the conference’s conclusion involved the audience in a lively debate, even after three intensive days, exploring what concrete cultural participation policy could look like.
In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all conference participants, contributors, and supporters for making this event a resounding success!