CSM

Open call for “Culture Mirrors” Cultural Journalism Residencies

The online magazine Korydor and CSM (Foundation Centre for Contemporary Art), in partnership with institutions and publications in Germany, Poland and Romania, announce an open call for participants of “Culture Mirrors”—a cultural journalism residency project. The project aims to study culture and humanitarian policy in four countries (Germany, Poland, Romania and Ukraine) with different levels of economic development and pro-European aspirations, and to analyse the political and social contexts through a series of reports, interviews and critical reviews.

 

The cultural journalism residencies will provide an opportunity to explore the most interesting examples of when culture becomes a space for valid critique, discussion and dialogue. The participants of the exchange program will study how state and independent cultural institutions function and examine representative cultural strategies in the context of the host country’s foreign and domestic policy.    

 

Based on the context of each country, the participants of the program will survey the following issues:

• How is the vision of the role of (national) culture changing in European countries and how does cultural diplomacy on the international and local levels reflect a society’s political and social program?

• How do state and independent cultural institutions function in the host countries? Which projects receive state funding and why?

• What are the leading narratives—explicit and hidden—of the country’s cultural policy?

• How does political populism affect humanitarian policy and what is the dynamic of these processes?

• What is the political future of the EU and the cultural strategies of its individual member-states?

 

The “Culture Mirrors” project partner institutions and publications—n-ost (Berlin), Think Outside The Box (Bucharest) and Krytyka Polityczna (Warsaw)—will be the local coordinators of the residencies. They will explain to participants how their editorial offices work and help them study the context of their cities and countries. The residencies will last 7 days and can be held between February 15 and May 15. The exact dates will be determined by the partners and participants.  

 

Applications will be accepted until 31 January 2019. We invite authors, journalists and observers from Ukraine who work on culture, international and socio-political issues and have at least three years of experience working in the media to apply. By applying for the project, applicants confirm that they are available to participate in the residencies within the specified time and will prepare materials in cooperation with Korydor and the local partners within 30 days of completion of the residency. The organizers will cover travel expenses, including flight and accommodation for 7 nights, per diem, transfers and local transportation.  

 

To apply for the residency, send your CV (include links to your 3 best materials) and motivation letter describing the topic(s) you would like to work with in the context of the above questions to info@csmart.org.ua. Explain why you are interested in working on this topic. Outline the program of your weeklong residency, list of priorities, and preferred dates of travel (provide several options) between February 15 and May 15. Your CV and motivation letter should be in English.

 

Knowledge of English or German/Polish/Romanian is required for participation in the program. Documents enabling visa-free travel to the EU or a valid visa for the country you intend to visit are required. Applications must be received in electronic format by 18:00 on 31 January 2019.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the project team at info@csmart.org.ua. Read more about “Culture Mirrors” by following this link.

 

The “Culture Mirrors” Cultural Journalism Residencies Project is implemented under the Culture Bridges Programme. Culture Bridges is funded by the EU and managed by the British Council in partnership with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) network in Ukraine.