CULT! — the Flemish network of cultural houses, expert in cultural policy!
cult! (formerly VVC) is the network organisation that advocates for culture houses in Flanders and Brussels. They promote, support, defend and connect these open houses in their diversity and dynamism. In an ever-changing social context, cult! is looking for targeted solutions to collective challenges together with its members and partners. They inform, advise, stimulate and inspire culture houses today and in the future. cult! would not exist without its members: the organisation connects a broad, diverse and dynamic network of locally embedded culture houses that spread around Flanders and Brussels. Houses with many rooms who spread art and culture beyond their walls in the community. Big and small houses, houses that are part of a bigger complex. Old, new, high, low, monumental or outstanding in simplicity. Houses with both feet in society, detecting needs. Houses that are shaped through and by the local community, stimulating talent and supporting or facilitating cultural development. All with their own identity and with one communal goal: to stimulate creativity and participation and help live, discover and taste art and culture in all its forms and colours. Last but not least, cult! follows the international scene: they stimulate their members to keep an eye on and broaden their international contacts. International prospecting, contacts and cooperation enrich local cultural life. They actually supported the initiative of creating the ENCC in order to strengthen international dialogue between cultural centres, and they are member of Culture Action Europe (CAE).
Since: 1975
Staff members: 1-5
Expertise: Cultural policy
Target groups: They reach the community in its diversity, but focus particularly policy-makers, cultural workers from cultural centres and other cultural organisations, as well as experts of culture or other specialities.
Areas of work: Local / regional / national projects — Evaluation — Capacity building activities / Courses / Trainings / Lifelong learning activities — Dissemination of information / awareness raising activities — Coordination of a network — Consultancy — Advocacy / Policy —Data collection
Fields of work: Performing arts — Amateur arts — Cultural heritage — Visual arts — Design and applied arts — Literature — Architecture
Topics of work: Diversity, minorities, interculturalities & identities / migration & refugees — Participation / audience engagement — Impact of cultural activities — Good governance — Cultural policy — Territorial development on regional level, in non-urban areas and in urban areas — European citizenship and identity — Digitalisation — Sustainability
EU/International cooperation: Participated at the ENCC Project Fair in Lisbon in 2019
Priorities for the network: Exchange between regional and national networks — Advocacy — Sparring partner for the European level
