1. AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE Václav Mílek Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín EUROPEAN CULTURAL ROUTE OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS

2. CONTENTS 1.Description of areas and needs analysis 2.Specific aims of the area 3.Proposal of activities 4.Target groups 5.Area coordinator 6.Partners / stakeholders 7.Conclusion / summary

3. DESCRIPTION OF AREA AND NEEDS ANALYSIS  In its day, the important historical legacy that the brothers from Thessalonica left behind included influencing of a wide range of human activity – as well as many forms of art.  Current art directly expresses sacral themes only exceptionally. The relationship of this area to the legacy of the Cyril and Methodius mission must be sought out on a more general level.  The aim of the area will be a multidisciplinary exchange between cultures and art-related entities in the countries of involved partners.  It leads to raising current cultural and artistic practice in the area of creativity and skills (visual arts, performing arts, creative crafts, architecture, literature). AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

4. SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE AREA Aim 1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXCHANGE BETWEEN CULTURES AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS IN PARTNER COUNTRIES The main priorities of Current Cultural and Artistic Practice within the framework of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius include creation of long-term European partnerships, striking up cooperation and intercultural dialog with similarly oriented institutions in Central and Southeastern Europe, and technical and artistic growth of all engaged in its creation. Aim 2 RAISING CURRENT ARTISTIC PRACTICE THROUGH RESEARCH Raising current cultural and artistic practice in the area of creativity and skills through research projects. The multidisciplinary dimension of planned activities is derived from both the choice of providing room for presentation of multiple types of artistic fields, but also from participation and the necessity to cooperate amongst experts in various areas of activity. AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

5. DRAFT PROPOSAL OF ACTIVITIES Activities within the framework of Aim 1  Residencies for artists In today’s artistic world, residencies are one of the most frequent methods of cultural exchange. Activity will contain preparation and implementation of residency programs for visual artists and literary creators from Central and Southeastern Europe with a common exhibition/presentation at the end of the program. Outcomes: residencies for nine artists in Zlín and at Velehrad, exhibition repeated in partner countries, publications. AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

6. DRAFT PROPOSAL OF ACTIVITIES Activities within the framework of Aim 2  Researching contemporary sacral architecture Research focuses on the last few years of architecturally important sacral structures built in areas of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe. Outcomes: publications, exhibition gradually presented in partner countries, a Website. AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

7. TARGET GROUPS Primary target group: Artists from Central and Southeastern Europe Secondary target group: Visitors to exhibits of contemporary art, intellectuals Tertiary target group: Persons interested in contemporary architecture and sacral art AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

8. AREA COORDINATOR The Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín focuses mainly on Czech and Slovak fine arts and architecture of the 19 th to the 21 st century. It manages and is further building a collection of art works, it holds exhibitions, educational programs, and its spectrum of activities is augmented by events interconnecting various cultural fields. It strives to become a unique place of uncommon education and a place for active encounters with art. One of the gallery’s fundamental aims is stimulation of artistic life in the region. The main attraction of the gallery is its newly opened permanent exhibition on the third floor of the newly reconstructed industrial building no. 14 of the Zlín factory complex. AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

9. PARTNERS / STAKEHOLDERS  Description of partners We want to focus on cooperation with galleries, art museums, professional architectural organizations and non-profit organizations engaged in culture. For most partners capable of ensuring cooperation on a material level (selection of artists), it is necessary to secure an institutional partner that would be able to handle relatively complex administration. Slovakia: the Nitra Region, the Nitra Gallery, the City of Nitra, the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava – Faculty of Civil Engineering Hungary: Vas County, FKSE – Studio of Young Artists Association, ACAX | Agency for Contemporary Art Exchange (Budapest) Poland: Gallery BWA Bielsko- Biala Slovenia: Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

10. CONCLUSION Summary of the area The area focuses on contemporary art of all fields. The relationship of this area to the legacy of the Cyril and Methodius Mission must be sought on a more general level. At this moment two activities have been drafted (expandable to others), mainly from fields outside visual arts and literature. What we want to achieve This area’s aim is a multidisciplinary exchange between cultures and artistic expressions in countries of involved partners. By building a network of places affiliated with the Mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius with reference to Europe’s Christian roots, we want to create a inspiring space for contemporary artists to share experiences. AREA 4: AREA 4: CURRENT CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

11. Thank you for your attention. Václav Mílek Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín vaclav.milek@galeriezlin.cz