Sergio Servellón, NEMO board member and president of ICOM Belgium Flanders, attended the meeting and made sure that the museum community’s point of view was heard. As a strong contributor in the meeting and to the statement, NEMO has signed the statement that points out the needs of the culture sector to fully unfold its potential for innovation.
As one of the signatories, NEMO stands behind the expressed need for a framework for cultural innovation on a European level. DG CNECT, DG EAC and DG RTD are encouraged to establish a task force or a dedicated work-strand within existing inter-institutional channels to define a comprehensive and transversal approach to cultural innovation that could then inform the next generation of programmes in a strategic and coherent manner.
The signatories go into detail and points out, for example, that the basis for a future framework for innovation in the CCS:
- Culture and creativity exist in an increasingly global context, yet investment in culture is frequently carried out through local and national frameworks. International and multilateral policies are needed, especially in the context of EU actions.
- The CCS have citizens at the heart of their actions, it is an essential component of their DNA. Promoting new ways of connecting with European society, especially through digital technologies, is crucial to the transformation of the CCS and its contribution to a future Europe.
- Europe is at a crossroads moment with regard to its approach to new technologies such as AI. The inclusion of the not-for-profit sector in developing its response to this is essential to ensure the public space for cultural diversity and equality of access in the future.
- A wealth of studies and knowledge already exists on the contribution and role of culture and the not for-profit sector to trigger innovative processes with high social, cultural, technological and economic impacts. This is often thanks to studies and projects supported by the European Union. The sector is ready to support the EC to provide input and evidence.
It is also stated that there is a need to ensure cultural diversity in the European digital sphere, which not-for profit organisations are capable of creating. Moreover, experimentation, creation and artistic research emerged as a common need between stakeholders both in the for-profit and not-for-profit domain. For example, in the case of museums, collections realise their cultural, economic, social and educational value, while acting as incubators of further R+D+i.
In regards to the future of the Pilot CONTENTshift, it is stated that it could be continued within the future Horizon Europe Cluster Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society. A possible expansion could also happen within the Creative Europe programme, which currently provides legal basis for all CCS. The future programmes ought to reflect the diverse realties of the CCS as a whole.
