Institut for (X)
Institut for (X)

Institut for (X) is characterised by a diverse blend of cultural productions, small and medium sized businesses and recreational functions available to the public. Currently the area contains 600 members, 90 studios and workshops, 43 creative businesses and 15 associations. The minimal administration pertains to 4 half-time staff. If(X) is structured as a self-managed and self-built environment and a city within the city, containing activities that are referring outward as well as inwards. The many users actively collaborate in a supportive network in a hands-on environment, inviting everyone to use and co-produce it. In this sense If(X) is continuously redefined by and adapted to the needs and activities of its members.
Topics
European Conference · 3rd episode: “The cultural institution – what needs to change?”
Panellists: Teodor Celakoski, Félix Dupin-Meynard, Victoria Durrer.
Chair: Dea Vidović.
Presenter: Christian Jull Wendell (Institute for X, Denmark) and Janja Sesar (Pogon).
In the discussion on balance between elitism and cultural democracy we tackled the question of excellence and managerialism which is a dominant principle in which cultural institutions are run nowadays. It seems through many examples that none of the modes has proved sufficient to address both needs entangled in the friction of the two. For this reason, we wish to continue the discussion on the question of governance and is it possible to imagine different kinds of governance in institutions and beyond that would provide a different answer to this questions. What can we do to change the way in which institutions operate now? What is needed to make them more open? How can we open them? What kinds of new practices are appearing on the horizon and what kind of answers are they offering? What kind of institutions are needed? How does audience prefer culture to be organized?