Sverd i fjell Rolf Norås Core impacts, connections and legacy – Experiences from former ECoCs Kaunas, 18th of May 2018 Rolf Norås Sverd i fjell

STAVANGER KOMMUNE

The Twelve Cities What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

The Roles of Informants What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

The Structure What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

The Board Limit number of members. Too many members lead to lack of responsibility and time wasting Concentrate on vision, goal, economy etc. Avoid artistic influence What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Political Influence What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

The Budget Average Level - 52 Mill. Euro (Infrastructure not included) Liverpool the largest - Tallinn and Bergen the smallest 74% came from public funds (state, city, region) 66% spent on progr. (18% marketing, 16% operational costs) Average level from sponsors were 13% Difficult to compare the cities What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Artistic Programme Good aspects Strong Leadership, Independence Clear Mandate and Criteria Participation and Democratic processes Budgetary control What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Open Call Five cities implemented Open Call Different opinions > Positive: Turku and Tallinn > Difficult: Cork and Maribor > Both opinions: Stockholm What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

European vs. Local A good balance is difficult, but critically important The European dimension must be combined with local involvement What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Inclusion and participation Involve and challenge the City and the citizens Achievement and support depends on involving and using the citizens Enhance people's awareness of identity, demands and expectations A narrative dimension is a central tool to participation What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Sharing the title Advantages, challenges and problems A unique opportunity to increase cultural collaboration Good intentions without given priority? What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Relationship with the Municipality Lack of commitment, participation and enthusiasm by the employees in the Municipality, especially from the Cultural Departments Some Municipalities distanced themselves from responsibility Foundations were looked at as competitors What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Waste of unique competence Offices close down Skilled workers don't continue Unique experiences, networks and human resources disappear What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

The Infrastructure Less important than the mental dimension New buildings must be financed outside the ECC-budget New buildings must not be built without financial resources to run them afterwards What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Media Attention From criticism to support Higher attention from international compared to national media The Foundations are fairly satisfied with the media The local daily news in Linz wanted to receive money for positive coverage What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Legacy The years beyond the ECC Year are even more important than the year itself An opportunity to offer new ways of thinking, new networks, new cultural infrastructure - values which were not there before Build the future on identity and historically conditions Maintain a budget to continue international work What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Be yourself Be inspired by former ECCs - don't copy them Standardized models limit orginality, innovation and local culture Build programmes based on own identity and local conditions What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Evaluation Must be research-based and independent Evaluate both before and after the ECC Year Reports written by operational teams are limited reliable What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

A main conclusion There is no golden rule to be a successful European Capital of Culture. Even though the concept is considered as the EU's most successful cultural programme ever, there is still a further potential to identify and explore specific opportunities and challenges to better share experiences and learn from each other. (The Author) What would you do differently if you knew what you now know An investigation into 12 former European Capitals of Culture. By Rolf Norås

Thank you! rolfnoras@gmail.com