S&L wants to support organizations in changing the world. We are convinced that the arts are urgently needed for a healthy society. And we were very keen to hear from the arts how they themselves see that role. Below you will find the thoughts that came up during our breakfast session on February 18, 2025. They go in different directions and we try to share them here as faithfully as possible. We are very curious to hear how you see it.
'Overhaul the canons and give young people the floor' (and other minority voices)
The arts sector is too stuck in canons and does not dare to take enough risks. Established names mainly amplify voices that sound like their own. As a result, fewer and fewer people recognize themselves in what the cultural sector has to offer.
But in other places, for example in the digital world, the authentic stories are being told. Young people have their own channels and ways of expressing themselves. That is truly fundamentally different from 20 years ago. That is also where the criticism of the idea of ‘leading the way’ came from. Those who lead the way may well lose their connection with the rest. Cultural creators should, precisely, position themselves at the heart of society.
To become relevant again, the arts must make room for young people and other minority voices. Create white space, free spaces, and dare to let go of control. Only in this way can the arts reconnect with the heartbeat of society.
| Cultural creators should, precisely, position themselves at the heart of society.
'We do not have a cultural policy, we have an institutions policy'
The arts sector is also becoming increasingly constrained in business terms. The accounts have to balance, funders draw up strict frameworks, professionalization calls the shots. As a result, the arts ultimately simply become part of a neoliberal system.
Beautiful temples of culture reinforce this trend. Because a building and the associated infrastructure require major investments, loans, and a great deal of practical organization. These restrict the freedom of cultural creators.
Try to imagine what your organization would do without a building. What creative energy would be released then? Long live nomadic arts organizations?
| Try to imagine what your organization would do without a building.
'The arts must move toward the audience, not the other way around'
Culture is a source of beauty and well-being for society. It offers comfort, recognition, emotion. It brings us closer to our feelings and thus also to the collective. Culture paves the way for empathy. And we are missing that today in so many ways in our society.
But today, art also has a very high threshold. In our conversation, there was consensus that cultural creators must move toward the audience. Do not only organize a piano concert in a chic opera house, but also in a residential care center or on a square in the city.
| In our conversation, there was consensus that cultural creators must move toward the audience.
An activist, intellectual piece on an established stage with a privileged audience in the room – can we really make a difference that way?
Moreover, someone in the group said, the arts should not think they have to do it all alone. There is also a great deal of creativity in other sectors. Come out of your silo. Do not only approach your audience, also connect with the rest of society.
What sticks: searching for the white space to truly be able to tell stories
It just so happens, of course, that at S&L we specifically help organizations with their professionalization. We provide support with policy plans, financial strategy, team development, and leadership coaching. So what sticks with us is the following: how do you reconcile a healthy business policy as an arts organization with the freedom and messiness needed to truly reflect society? Especially if you also want to give a voice to less popular, unknown stories? When do we go too far in professionalization?
We would very much like to know what you think. And whether you would like to share any other thoughts. Let us know via sabine.craenen@s-l-impact.com.
