Tandem C&P Final meeting in Ede, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua. Tandem C&P 2014-15 The second round of Tandem C&P enagaged 7 collaboration in the field of community arts, voluntary or amateur arts and (non-formal) arts education. The program focuses on citizens’ inclusion and active participation in local arts & culture and community life. The cultural managers from the Netherlands and its neighbouring regions/countries: Germany, Belgium and UK worked on the collaborative projects for one year. Partner Forum in Rotterdam The secound round of Tandem C&P kicked of with representatives of 32 organisations in Rotterdam. An enthusiastic and motivated group of cultural managers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom took first steps in the direction of many innovative collaborations. They explored possibilities of international collaboration projects in the fields of community and participatory arts, and were inspired by a full agenda including workshops and networking. 29 participants left with the aim to work on collaboration proposal and continue the Tandem journey with a newly found partner. All participants were satisfied by the outcome of the meeting and the networking opportunities it allowed them. Also those that did not find a match still profited from the meeting and valued the professional and personal contacts gained. Have a look at the flickr gallery. Tandem C&P, Partner Forum in Rotterdam, 2014. Photo by Guido Bosua Tandem C&P, Partner Forum in Rotterdam, 2014. Photo by Guido Bosua Kick-Off meeting in Oberhausen City safaris, workshops & in-door camping. All participants brought one of their colleagues and spent four intense but exiting days in the water tower of Oberhausen’s train station. The aim of the meeting was to give all 7 Tandems an opportunity to work more intensively on their collaborations, to get feedback on their plans, but also to receive impulses for organisational development and team structures. The meeting took place at Kitev – Kultur im Turm e.V., a cultural hub located in the main train station of Oberhausen. The unique location was an inspiring set for the meeting and offered possibility to get to know the city and it’s cultural scene from an insider perspective. The renovated water tower did not only serve as working area and meeting location, but was also camping side for many participants. Especially, the sub-culture safari of Oberhausen, which was introduced by Tandem C&P alumni Sandra Hall from Friction Arts was an eye opener to perceive surroundings in a new, unexpected way. Explore the flickr gallery. Tandem C&P Kick-off meeting in Oberhausen, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua. Tandem C&P Kick-off meeting in Oberhausen, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua. Interim Meeting in Birmingham Meeting in Birmingham, being half way through the programme by now, it was a good moment to hold and look inward: reflect and consider the next steps for their project. The meeting was hosted by Tandem alumni Sandra Hall from Friction Arts and gave the chance to discover not only the cultural scene of Birmingham but also connect and evaluate on common challenges such as the enormous budget cuts in the cultural sector. A very lively and thought-provoking debate on the push-and pull effects of cultural commissioning in the UK, gave the participants some food for thought before their headed home. Follow the group to Birmingham and discover the flickr gallery. Tandem C&P Interim meeting in Birmingham, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua. Tandem C&P Interim meeting in Birmingham, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua. Final meeting in Ede In beginning of November 2015 the group has met for a final meeting to reflect and evaluate. As part of the LKCA conference “The art of…” participants were able to present their projects and their learnings by workshops. This meeting marks the end of the second project cycle of Tandem Community & Participation. Follow up via flickr gallery. Tandem C&P Final meeting in Ede, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua. Tandem C&P Interim meeting in Birmingham, 2015. Photo by Guido Bosua.