Networks

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UTE - Union of the Theatres of Europe

Regarded as one of the most influential theatre associations in Europe, the Union des Théâtres de l’Europe is also deeply rooted in the history of European theatre. Its origin goes back more than thirty years, when three theatres in Italy, France and Spain decided to form an international alliance called Théâtres de l’Europe/Teatri d’Europa. More and more theatres became interested in this exchange, and in 1990 the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, and the director of the Piccolo Teatro di Milano, Giorgio Strehler, founded the Union des Théâtres de l’Europe on this basis. Initially focused on a programme of regular festivals aiming to unite East and West, the Union has developed into an alliance of European theatres combining artistic and political goals, and using existing artistic platforms in order to strengthen professional exchange and to promote an open Europe of culture.

Today, the Union des Théâtres de l’Europe is represented in 15 countries and unites 24 members, amongst which 10 major theatres with national and international influence from all over Europe and beyond – besides the theatres from Porto (Teatro Nacional São João), Thessaloniki (National Theatre of Northern Greece), Cluj (Hungarian Theatre of Cluj), Belgrade (Yugoslav Drama Theatre), Luxembourg (Théâtre National du Luxembourg), Krakow (Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theatre), Sofia (Theatre Laboratory Sfumato), Milan (Piccolo Teatro di Milano – Teatro d’Europa), Prague (Prague City Theatres) and Rome (Teatro di Roma – Teatro Nazionale), the Union has also been joined by independent and associated members from France, Hungary, Poland and Georgia. Their common goal is to collaborate on an international level and strengthen the role and value of European public theatres. Together they represent an area that increasingly encompasses the entire European continent and even transcends it with members in Israel, Palestine and partner-artists in various Arab countries.

With more than 10,000 performances and 3 million spectators a year, UTE member theatres offer a wide range of events, including productions and world premieres of new drama; projects on current political issues; cooperation between various international festivals; conferences on important political and artistic topics; roundtables with artists, managers and politicians intended to attract and include a broader audience; projects with young artists and young audiences; masterclasses; literary and academic publications; and think tanks for the development of new working strategies.

Elected Cultural Ambassador by the European Commission in 2012, head of a project on different forms of terrorism, including Israeli, Norwegian, German, French and Serbian theatres, and regarded as one of the most significant theatre networks to be supported by the European Commission as the promoter of the project Conflict Zones | Zones de Conflit, the UTE sees its mission in an artistic, political and societal sphere. Its activities go along three major axes: the development of international and transnational collaborations; the maintenance and transmission of Europe’s cultural heritage, focusing on its appropriation by young artists; and the questioning, development and renewal of this heritage through ground-breaking artistic projects, but also political projects, all of which offer a critical reflection on today’s society.

PERFORMART

PERFORMART – Associação para as Artes Performativas em Portugal

In October 2016, Performart – Associação para as Artes Performativas em Portugal was founded. The association’s main objectives are: to divulge the manifold forms of cultural and artistic expression in the field of performing arts; to bring its members into contact with other associations, both in Portugal and abroad; to take joint stances regarding matters that are relevant to the field of performing arts and its professionals; to create networks that will allow the sharing of knowledge in various areas.

PERFORMART intends to bring together various collective, public or private entities that work, in permanence or irregularly, to create and/or present and/or produce performing arts content in Portugal.

PERFORMART has the following statutory objectives: Social Purpose and Mission

The Association’s social purpose and mission is: – To promote the multiple kinds of cultural and artistic manifestations in general and the activities of its Associates in particular, both in Portugal and abroad, in the various strands of the sector; – To organise initiatives that will ensure the recognition and healthy, sustainable development of the performing arts sector and its professionals on a variety of levels; – To share information, ideas and experiences that may be of interest to its members and to all professionals of the performing arts; – To structure collaborative networks connecting its Associates; – To make joint decisions concerning subjects relevant to the sector and its professionals; – To represent the interests of its members before institutions in Portugal and abroad. Article 4th

Objectives

  1. In order to fulfil the mission described in article 3, the Association intends to, namely: a. Create spaces for analysis and reflection, by organising and promoting Working Groups, Seminars, scientific studies or any other activities the Associates may deem appropriate to its mission; b. Work to achieve consensus among the Associates regarding stances that may lead to the development of policies and regulations for the performing arts sector; c. Assemble and make easily available all information that appears relevant to the common goals of its Associates, namely concerning programs that support the development of projects; d. Delineate means to transfer knowledge to its Associates, in order to increase the quality and excellency of the sector’s professionals and their work; e. Promote partnerships that will allow the Associates advantageous conditions for the purchase of goods and services; f. Divulge the cultural and artistic work of its Associates; g. Promote the touring of shows by its Associates in Portugal and abroad.