Scientific monitoring of the "Art and Audience" programme of Pro Helvetia
The programme aims at encouraging the exchange of knowledge between experts in order to improve the way outreach and education projects are put into practice. Within its programme Pro Helvetia is working closely with the funding bodies of cities and cantons as well as with a network of specialists.
Scientific monitoring of the "Art and Audience" programme of Pro Helvetia
The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia launched the Art and Audience programme firstly as a reaction to the increasing importance of arts education in cultural policy and secondly because when the law in the promotion of culture come into force in 2012, Pro Helvetia will be responsible for supporting outreach and education projects. The programme aims at encouraging the exchange of knowledge between experts in order to improve the way outreach and education projects are put into practice. Within its programme Pro Helvetia is working closely with the funding bodies of cities and cantons as well as with a network of specialists. Pro Helvetia has commissioned the Institute for Art Education (IAE) to undertake the scientific monitoring of the programme. The aim of this research is to develop a set of tools for future criteria and enhancement in the fields of artistic outreach and education for both cultural supporters and practitioners. Within this process the IAE perceives itself as a "critical friend" which - with the parties involved - reflects on both processes and results, relating them to the present academic discourse and the context of international practice. This cyclical process, including systematic observation, evaluation and contextualization, points towards possibilities for improvement. It is also an action research approach and is based on the assumption that only collectively obtained knowledge can lead to sustainable transformations. Beyond that, by theorizing art education, the IAE essentially contributes to the ongoing academic discourse in this research area.