SHIFT addressed a problem every cultural leader recognises but few have a playbook for: how do you actually embed climate action, gender equity and inclusion into the day-to-day running of a cultural organisation, rather than just talking about them? Running from December 2019 to December 2020, the project brought together nine major European cultural networks, including TEH, the European Music Council and IETM, to build practical training, guidelines and a code of conduct on exactly that. Rather than treating cultural leadership as neutral or one-size-fits-all, SHIFT put forward a more honest, community-rooted model, one aware of its own values and blind spots, giving leaders across the sector real tools to lead change instead of just naming the need for it.
About the initiative
Arts and culture have a recognised role in shaping societies, with real potential to contribute to a better, more sustainable future for all, as recognised in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SHIFT provided training initiatives for cultural leaders, working together and creating paths to face global challenges such as climate change, gender equality and the inclusion of minorities. Implementing changes where needed, and passing on the knowledge gained to leaders and staff of cultural networks and the broader cultural sector, were the project's key targets. It ran from December 2019 to December 2020.
Project themes
Cultural Leadership
Cultural leadership is one of today's buzzwords, yet there was no common understanding of the concept. SHIFT worked from a community-oriented approach to leadership, a shared leadership that doesn't have to be neutral and universal but is aware of its subjectivity and dependence on group identities and values, opening space for a humanistic, managerial approach that benefits the whole cultural sector.
Climate Change
Climate change now affects every country on every continent, disrupting national economies and lives at a local, national and global level. The project provided capacity-building for leaders and staff of cultural networks on how to claim a role in the action required to meet the UN SDGs' climate goals, embedding environmental sustainability into the way cultural organisations work and collaborate.
Inclusion
While inclusion itself isn't a new topic, no general guidelines existed for cultural networks on how to adapt their work, communication and activities to reach more people at risk of exclusion. SHIFT produced the first such guidelines aimed at networks, organisations and institutions active in culture, with a particular focus on training leaders to reinforce their capacity to increase inclusion and accessibility, and reduce inequality within their organisations and activities.
Gender & Power Relations
The #MeToo movement, alongside other movements and campaigns, increased awareness and empowered employees around the world to report sexual harassment and other workplace inequalities, while surfacing the vulnerability of anyone facing power abuse, regardless of age, class or gender, and the lack of effective protection mechanisms available to them. SHIFT's code of conduct and toolkit aimed to contribute to a lasting impact from this wave of empowerment on professional and societal culture.
Partners
- The European Music Council as a Coordinator
- European Choral Association – Europa Cantat
- European League of Institutes of the Arts
- European Union of Music Competitions for Youth
- Fresh Arts Coalition Europe
- International network for contemporary performing arts
- International Music Council
- On the move
- Trans Europe Halles
Funder
