2010-03-01

Culturemap

Websites and internet platforms for the exchange of information and dialogue already exist on the web and have been established by different cultural organisations and projects. The European Commission thinks the time is ripe to map the existing online spaces for debate on cultural issues and on the European project. Little is known on how cross-border and cross-sector debate on European culture can be stimulated online in order to help the further development of a common European cultural area for those interested in European culture.

It can be expected that this virtual space and the debates taking place in it could contribute to citizens' awareness and understanding about Europe's culture, its rich cultural diversity and common cultural heritage and help to stimulate intercultural dialogue and develop mutual understanding. It is expected that it could also promote European art, artists, cultural organisations and those working in them.

This would lead to a further reinforcement of the European market for culture, by aiming at and reaching a broader public. In addition, the debates taking place should inspire and stimulate creativity, for example by highlighting exemplary projects and by offering a platform for the exchange of experiences. It is against this background that the present study was commissioned by the European Commission through the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and a study contract concluded with empirica GmbH. The objective of this study is to carry out research into existing websites in Europe for the online dissemination of information on cross-sector issues in the cultural field and for online debate with a view to promoting the exchange of views, artistic expression and helping to reach out to the citizens with regard to the European project. The study is supposed to also propose recommendations on how to enhance the use of the internet as a means of information exchange and debate at the European level on cross-sector issues in the field of culture and artistic expression.

The whole report is available at the following link: http://www.culturemap.net/index.php#page=downloads

ENCATC: www.encatc.org

European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centres (ENCATC)