From September 30 to October 4, 2024, the city of Skopje, North Macedonia, hosted the third residency of the RE-IMAGINE project titled Green Artistic Approach and Production. Organized by Lokomotiva - Centre for New Initiatives in Arts and Culture, this residency continued the project's mission of greening the performing arts sector by focusing on innovative green artistic approaches and sustainable production models.

The program once again gathered 24 participants, artists, and producers from 12 organizations and collectives across Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and North Macedonia. Selected through an open call, these tandems embarked on a journey to integrate environmentally sustainable practices into their artistic work while continuing to develop their project ideas.

The residency kicked off with a discussion on Green Partnerships, Policies, and Politics, bringing together experts in diverse fields and participants to explore the potential of the environmental shift within the sector, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and partnerships.

Participants were also given an insightful lecture by Ksenija Marković Božović from Green Art Incubator on Material Hierarchy, focusing on reuse, recycling, and sustainable design within the performing arts. The session provided participants with practical insights and tools to rethink how materials are sourced and used in production.

Another highlight of the program was the session led by Christa Spatt, titled Green as a Creative Challenge which explored the means of embedding ecological themes within the creative process and the complications that arise when merging artistic vision with sustainability. This discussion inspired participants to approach their projects with a fresh perspective on the relationship between art, nature, and social responsibility.

Additionally, Dimitar Uzunov's (Arte Urbana Collectif) lecture on Site-Specific Theatre opened new horizons by encouraging participants to engage with their environment as a stage. This sustainable approach to performance blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality, urging artists to rethink traditional theatre spaces in favor of more eco-friendly and immersive settings.

Another pivotal part of the residency was the Green Code of Conduct lecture/workshop, led by Dorka Gadus from Pro Progressione, which provided participants with a practical framework for implementing eco-conscious and responsible practices in their artistic and production work.

Besides lectures, participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops such as Straps from Scraps, led by designer Jana Acevska, where they created practical items from leftover materials, highlighting the importance of recycling in creative processes. The residency also featured peer mentoring sessions, enabling participants to present and refine their project ideas with feedback from fellow artists and mentors. This collaborative atmosphere fostered a sense of community and mutual support as participants advanced their green production plans.

In addition to the core residency activities, participants were treated to an insightful Kitch Tour led by Ivana Dragsic, which explored the controversial Skopje 2014 urban redevelopment project. This tour highlighted the oblivious and damaging aspects of a "nation-building" initiative that deeply impacted Skopje’s public spaces, green areas, and urban environment. The participants learned about the social and environmental effects of the project through storytelling and group exploration.

Another engaging element of the side program was the Reading Buildings: Theatre Analogies workshop by Filip Jovanovski, which engaged participants in the If Buildings Could Talk initiative. This innovative method focused on “reading” buildings as active spaces, rather than static structures, blending elements of architecture, visual, and performing arts to create an experiential, transformative process. Held at the Architectural Faculty in Skopje and the Railway Residential Building, this interdisciplinary workshop emphasized the cultural significance of public spaces and their preservation.

The residency concluded with an intensive pitch preparation session, where participants refined their project presentations in anticipation of the final pitch event.

Stay tuned for updates on the RE-IMAGINE project as the final residency on Sustainable Distribution and Promotion approaches in January 2025, bringing this transformative journey to a close.

The RE-IMAGINE project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

From July 24th to July 28th, the second residency of the RE-IMAGINE project, Sustainable Preproduction, was held in Hungary. Organized by Pro Progressione, this residency brought together participants and project partners to explore various topics related to green transformation in the performing arts sector within the framework of the preproduction processes. 

The residency commenced with a warm welcome in Veszprem, where participants were introduced to the program and the residency hosts, setting the tone for the intensive and inspiring days ahead. The introduction was followed by two comprehensive lectures on Deciding to go green by Pro Progressione and Measuring the environmental and social impacts of these (green) activities by Arte Urbana Collectif. 

On the second and third day, our participants had an opportunity to join the partners from the Big Green project for the engaging and diverse program of the (Un)conference event held within the Valley of Arts festival in the picturesque village of Kapolcs. Here, they encountered various programs, such as panel sessions on the Ethics of changing others' minds and Democratic curation, workshops on eco-education, natural heritage interpretation, and artivism, as well as the encouraging presentation of the Szabadon Balaton platform dedicated to preserving Lake Balaton's ecosystem through research and artistic practices. 

Through these varied program segments, our participants confronted a multitude of voices and approaches to tackle the environmental issues within their operations as a valuable source for progressing their projects in this stage of development. 

Days four and five continued at Veszprem where our participants the Case Clinic- a peer coaching process, designed and facilitated by the international organization Zusa, to identify innovative solutions and next steps for addressing potential challenges in project development and implementation, and two lectures on Mapping sources and support for greening their production by Green Art Incubator and on Ecofeminism by Lokomotiva.

The residency concluded with a comprehensive mentoring session where participants applied their acquired knowledge and skills to their project ideas, fostering an environment of collaborative learning and growth.

Stay tuned for more updates and follow our participants' journeys as they continue to develop their projects. The next residency is coming soon!

The RE-IMAGINE project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

We are excited to announce the next residency within the RE-IMAGINE project: Sustainable Preproduction, which will take place in Hungary from July 24 to July 28, 2024. This residency, hosted by project partner organization Pro Progressione, aims to deepen participants' understanding and application of eco-friendly practices in terms of the preproduction stage in performing arts.

The program will be held in the beautiful locations of Veszprém and the Valley of Arts in Kapolcs, offering a unique blend of theoretical learning and practical experiences. Participants will engage in a series of lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities focusing on sustainable preproduction strategies, measuring the impact of going green, and exploring responsible leadership in sustainable art practices.

Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy the local culture and natural beauty, with sessions planned outdoors and in collaboration with local art initiatives.

We look forward to welcoming our participants to this inspiring residency, where they will gain invaluable knowledge and skills to drive green transformation in their respective organizations.

The RE-IMAGINE project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In April 2024, the vibrant city of Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted the first residency of the RE-IMAGINE project- Climate Literacy, organized by Arte Urbana Collectif. This event brought together 24 participants, performing arts professionals, from 12 organizations and informal collectives across our four partner countries- Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and North Macedonia, selected through the Open Call. These selected tandems embarked on a year-long journey of learning, collaboration, inspiration, and transformation with the aim of greening the PA sector production and distribution processes.

The residency program was meticulously designed to provide participants with a concentrated understanding of the climate crisis and related issues and to introduce the potential contributions of the arts and culture in contributing to solving them. It featured a series of insightful lectures covering a wide array of topics, starting with an introduction to the climate crisis held by climatologist Vladimir Đurđević from the Green Art Incubator. This session laid the foundation with key insights into climate science, understanding climate data and indicators, human activities contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, the far-reaching impacts of climate change, and the landscape of global climate policy and agreements. Additionally, the program explored the social dimensions of the climate crisis with the lecture delivered by artist and environmental activist Luka Tomac, who delved into the intricate social aspects of the climate crisis, exploring how different communities and cultures are affected by it.

One of the highlights of the residency was the Open House Event, which facilitated meaningful exchanges between the residency participants and representatives of the local cultural scene. This event provided a unique platform for dialogue, networking, and sharing of ideas and good practices.

A pivotal component of the residency was the presentation of participants’ project ideas. Each tandem had the opportunity to showcase their innovative concepts, receiving constructive feedback from peers and mentors alike. This session not only highlighted the creativity and commitment of the participants but also fostered a collaborative environment where ideas could flourish.

Held at Toplocentrala, a hub for cultural and artistic expression, the Climate Literacy residency was more than just an educational program; it was a call to action. It equipped participants with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to drive meaningful change in their respective organizations.

Take a look at the aftermovie from Climate Literacy residency and stay tuned for the continuation of the RE-IMAGINE journey.

The RE-IMAGINE project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

We are excited to announce the selected participants for the Re-Imagine Green residency program. This program, a central activity within our project, is designed to foster green transformation within the performing arts sector. The residency will encompass four five-day sessions, each focusing on a specific topic: Climate Literacy, Sustainable Preproduction, Green Artistic Approach and Production, and Sustainable Distribution and Promotion. These sessions will be held in Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, and Serbia, from April 2024 to January 2025.

The Open Call for applications was launched on January 10th, 2024, and concluded on February 10th, 2024. We received a total of 27 applications from performing arts organizations across our partner countries—Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and North Macedonia. The selection process was rigorous, ensuring that the chosen participants aligned with our goals of promoting artistic excellence, innovation, and ecological sustainability.

The evaluation criteria included the clarity and coherence of the project ideas, innovation in artistic expression and production models, demonstrated artistic excellence in previous works, alignment with the values of the periphery, inclusion, and diversity, potential contribution to the broader artistic community or society, commitment to the residency schedule, and dedication to green transformation in performing arts production.

Following an initial screening to verify eligibility, 18 projects were shortlisted for further evaluation. Interviews were conducted with representatives from the project consortium to assess the applicants' motivation, dedication, and alignment with the program’s objectives. After thorough deliberation, we have selected 12 organizations to participate in the residency program, comprising 24 residency tandems. These tandems represent a diverse group of artists and producers committed to pioneering eco-friendly practices in the performing arts. More information on the selected tandems is available at the link.

The selected participants have been notified and are preparing to embark on this transformative journey with us. We are confident that their participation will contribute significantly to the advancement of green practices in the performing arts sector and look forward to the innovative projects they will develop during the residencies.

We extend our gratitude to all applicants for their interest and enthusiasm in the RE-IMAGINE Green Residency program and congratulate the selected participants. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and the exciting developments that will emerge from this collaborative initiative.

The RE-IMAGINE project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In December 2023, our project took a significant step by organizing the first of its main activities- "Green Education and Narrative in Performing Arts" Training for Trainers. This online training aimed to build the capacities of our project partner organizations and expand their existing knowledge and skills to promote ecological sustainability in the performing arts field and assure the effective and comprehensive dissemination of green knowledge through the project.

The training program focused on three key areas: ecologically sustainable preproduction, green artistic approaches and production, and sustainable distribution in theatre arts. Participants had the unique opportunity to learn from three leading experts and organizations in the field:

• Iphigenia Taxopoulou, Secretary General of mitos21 and associate of Julie's Bicycle, kicked off the training with her extensive insights into sustainable practices within the performing arts sector. Her lecture provided a comprehensive overview of the history of green practices in theatre arts and highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability into every aspect of production, starting from the preproduction and planning stages.
• Ian Garrett, a distinguished faculty member at York University Toronto and co-founder of the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA), led the second session. Ian shared his wealth of experience in sustainable production practices, emphasizing practical strategies and innovative approaches that organizations can adopt to reduce their environmental footprint.
• Abigael Winsvold from Acting for Climate concluded the training with an engaging session on sustainable distribution. Her presentation focused on the importance of eco-friendly touring and dissemination practices, offering valuable examples and best practices from her work in the field.

Throughout the training, participants engaged in interactive discussions, explored best practices and were encouraged to further research in this regard. The collaborative atmosphere allowed for the exchange of ideas and fostered a sense of collective responsibility toward achieving a greener future in performing arts.

The Training for Trainers was a crucial preparatory activity for our upcoming residency program. By enhancing the capacity of our partner organizations, we are ensuring that they are well-equipped to mentor and guide the Re-Imagine Green residency participants in adopting and advocating for sustainable practices. This initiative underscores our commitment to driving meaningful change in the performing arts sector and highlights the pivotal role of education and capacity-building in achieving our sustainability goals.

The RE-IMAGINE project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.