In June 2011, 15 independent cultural spaces gathered in the
Centro de Creación Contemporána Espacio Tangente (Burgos, Spain) to establish the
Trans-Iberian Network of Independent Cultural Spaces.
The
Statement of Intent defines the following objectives for the network:
- increasing public visibility and recognition
- becoming a tool for advocacy and collective representation for the government
- establishing a platform for cooperation in the territories of Spain and Portugal.
During the past year, the network developed these areas of work to consolidate the project gradually. Several goals were achieved, among which
7 spaces and organisations from Spain and Portugal joint Trans Europe Halles network as Members or Friends. In addition, Trans-Iberian Network members
Ateneu Santboià (Santboi de Llobregat, Spain) and
Casa Invisible (Málaga) are now aking part in the TEH Leaders Lab project.
The first collaborations between the members of the Trans-Iberian Network in production an distribution have also been initiated, as well as other collaborative projects. The Network is now opening up channels of communication and dialogue with public institutions and international organisations. Finally, the members of the Network have given support through training and advice to cultural collectives in the process of opening independent cultural centers, such as
Cultura Ficción (León, Spain).
The Trans-Iberian Network also served as a model for the development of regional networks of independent cultural centres, such as the
Asturian Network. Also, in Murica, a region of Southern Spain, more than a dozen of independent cultural spaces opened, althought there was none of that kind two years ago. On June 23rd 2012, the network of Independent Cultural Centers of Murica was founded under the leadership of
Los Pájaros Ateneo Huertano,
El Quirófano and
La Azotea and with the support of the
Laboratorio de Arte Joven de Murcia and the Trans-Iberian Network.
From 29th of June until 1st July 2012, the second meeting of the Trans-Iberian Network took place in the Cultural Center El Hacedor. This event brought together independent cultural spaces from all over Spain and established the official creation of the Network, the definition of its management and its specific funding model, which should be implented before
the next meeting to be held in Zawp Bilbao in Autumn this year.