Connect for Creativity is an 18-month project led by the British Council, in partnership with three creative hubs – ATÖLYE in Turkey, Bios in Greece, Nova Iskra in Serbia and Abdullah Gül University in Turkey. The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey, through the Intercultural Dialogue programme. The project aims to form a network of creative hubs across Europe to foster creative exploration and collaboration that contributes to building a more cohesive, open and connected civil society.
Creative hubs have increasingly become a powerful source across the globe, transforming cities, spaces and communities. They enable diverse creative talent to connect in ways they hadn’t before, strengthening cross disciplinary and transnational collaborations via digital means, new ways of working and community engagement. We believe in the importance of supporting those who are re-inventing creative exploration and participation, and their capacity to contribute to facilitate the building of trust, leading to the sharing of information, establishing a common ground and the development of a sense of community and belonging.
We will provide a number of opportunities for students, academics, artists, creative professionals, policy makers and general public across Europe to form international networks and collaborations, exchange knowledge and skills and participate in creative exploration on the pillars of empathy, engagement and empowerment. Key activities included a research to provide baseline information on the role of creative hubs and communities in promoting intercultural dialogue, three networking conferences, art and technology residency followed by an exhibition in the UK and a study visit.
