VISAS | the discordant note
The white paper on visa issues as they affect artists' mobility in Europe have been produced and distributed to politicians and political institutions on European and national level by Freemuse, ELMF and ECA. Additional copies can be obtained if required and the pdf-version is available on www.eca.dk.
The white paper is being noticed and has been referred to in several European newsletters. It was quoted by the minister of culture in a hearing in the Danish Parliament on culture and development on 4 February, and was part of the official material for the hearing. A number of MEPs have undertaken to work for a solution to the issues highlighted.
ARTISTS' NAMES ON PASSPORTS / GERMANY
Last year, the German government introduced legislation prohibiting the use of "artists' names" on passports. This change resulted in wide-ranging practical difficulties for artists who had adopted professional names.
During autumn 2008, ECA became involved in the efforts of its German member organisation IGBK to change this new law. IGBK conducted a questionnaire to ascertain the situation in other European countries. Although the questionnaire revealed that the situation varies across Europe, IGBK succeeded in convincing the German authorities to amend the new passport law allowing for the continued use of artists' names.
BRUSSELS WORKSHOP AND MEP MEETINGS
In December, ECA president Michael Burke attended a workshop on artists' mobility organised by ECOTEC, who are conducting research on behalf of the Commission.
ECOTEC Research & Consulting is conducting a study on information to support cross border mobility in the EU cultural sector. This research is seeking solutions to improve information systems for mobile cultural professionals – those who seek work or provide services in other EU countries or who host foreign artists, cultural workers and companies. In parallel, workshops or consultation meetings with representatives of EU Cultural Contact Points and state organisations were also conducted.
ECA also arranged meetings in the European Parliament with members of the Culture Committee on issues related to Artists' Mobility. Advanced copies of the VISAS | the discordant note white paper and papers relating to the situation faced by musicians travelling their instruments on aeroplanes, were presented to Maria Badia i Cutchet | MEP | Spain and to the secretary of Erna Hennicot-Schoepges | MEP | Luxembourg.
A second round of ECOTEC workshop took place in early February. ECOTEC is expected to produce the results of its study to the Commission by the end of March 2009.
ECA SUPPORTS THE "RAINBOW PAPER"
The "Rainbow Paper" with recommendations on Intercultural Dialogue was endorsed by ECA in November. ECA is part of the "Platform for Intercultural Europe" – composed of a large number of NGOs active in culture arena, human rights, social issues, immigration etc.
Read more about the platform and the paper at www.intercultural-europe.org
PLATFORM ON CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
ECA Executive Committee members Narcy Calamatta and Zuzana Brejcha are taking part in two working groups in the EP advisory panels - Platform on Cultural Industries - a platform promoting dialogue between the EU Commission and civil society organisations on culture policies.
Narcy Calamatta has put forward a proposal on courses on Cultural Management courses in promotion and administration for SMEs (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) in the creative sector, and will go to Brussels to present it in April 2009.
Zuzana Brejcha has intervened in a report from the working group on "Interface between artists and the cultural industries" on the potential of cultural and creative industries, in order to underline the essential role of creative artists in this context.
The platform will conclude its work in April.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN COPENHAGEN AND BUCHAREST
The recently elected Executive Committee had its first meeting in Copenhagen on the 8th of January. Among the issues for discussion were ECA's financial situation, the membership fee structure and the implementation of the very ambitious plan of action for 2009.
The next Executive Committee meeting will take place in Bucharest on 21 April, and will be hosted by ANUC - the National Alliance for Creative Unions in Romania.
ECA MALTA
ECA Malta has been successful in supporting its members in securing their intellectual property rights.
A filmmaker, whose work was used without consent or compensation, has been awarded damages by Maltese courts.
A TV drama scriptwriter won a court case against TV producers who had used one of the characters he had created in a new theatrical play. The court confirmed that he had not sold his intellectual right on the characters created but only on the script of each particular episode.
ECA Malta is also active in two major heritage projects concerning the Baroque architectural treasure of the Knights’ St John’s Cathedral and the National Opera House in Valetta.
SURVEY ON LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AFFECTING THE MOBILITY OF ARTISTS
UNESCO has commissioned Richard Polácek and Judith Staines to undertake a short research project in January/February 2009. The research will provide an overview of the main legal instruments plus examples of bilateral and multilateral cultural cooperation agreements across the six UNESCO regions (Africa, Latin America & Caribbean, the Arab World, Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America). It will also examine obstacles to mobility; good practice and propose strategies and actions for policy and decision makers.
ECA – while limiting itself to a number of very specific areas – presented a very full response to the questionnaire and entered dialogue with the researchers on some issues.
ARTISTS' RIGHTS / an issue for development cooperation
An Intergovernmental Committee is presently elaborating operational guidelines for the interpretation and implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
In a letter of 27 February, ECA supports a proposal from the Austrian delegation to include information on artists' rights and their enforcement, as a measure for capacity building in developing countries in the guidelines for Article 14 / co-operation for development.
See www.eca.dk/news for the full text of the letter.
ECA CONFERENCE 2009
The Executive Committee have been working on plans for the 2009 conference and General Assembly. As 2009 is the EU Year of Innovation, ARTISTS | creativity & innovation, has been adopted as the title. Details of the programme, dates and location, which are being developed with our host organisation, will be forwarded as soon as possible.
ECA Executive Committee:
Michael Burke, sculptor, Ireland, President
Narcy Calamatta, actor, Malta, Vice-President
Zuzana Brejcha, film director, Austria
Torben Heron, visual artist, Denmark
Annette Hollywood, visual artist, Germany
Irina Horea, literary translator, Romania
Harri Wessman, composer, Finland
European Council of Artists, Borgergade 111, DK-1300 Copenhagen K, Denmark
phone: +45-35384401, fax: +45-35384417, e-mail: eca@eca.dk, web: www.eca.dk
Elisabet Diedrichs, Director
Pia Raug, Honorary General Secretary