With this project - ‘Composition IV: Voyage de l’art’ - we wanted to stimulate youngsters from different countries and cultures to think and discuss about their definition of ‘art’ and the relevance thereof. What is art? How can we define art? Why do we need art? Are there differences in the importance and concept of art between various European countries? Is there a thing like European art? 

 

It is important that people, especially youngsters, form their own opinion on art. Throughout the project, particpants therefore explored both the importance of art/culture in societies and the role it can have for personal development. Cultural ideas and values are not always explicit in societies. Talking about art therefore can give valuable insights in cultural values and ideas of a country. By selecting partner organisations in diverse European countries, different cultures were represented in this project.

 

To stimulate participants to discuss art, a seminar on national art history was part of the project. Each national group presented their art history in front of an audience made up by other participants and local guests. Each group could decide for themselves what they wanted to present. Participants learned in this way more about art in other countries/cultures, and discussed afterwards the similarities and differences among the countries values and ideas. The seminar is one example in which participants gained an insight into diverse European cultures. Aside from this seminar, participants visited three museums and the final year’s art exhibition at the art academy in The Hague. This enabled them to see different forms of art and to talk to art students and museum staff. It brought forward new perspectives and stimulate further discussions. Other activities in the project, such as art discussions and the art role play supported participants to discuss among each other, and to exchange ideas. The creative workshops supported creativity, imagination and personal development. Each participant finally wrote an article on a topic related to art; and what art means to them. 

 

The project hosted 40 participants from eight different European countries (Albania, Cyprus, Georgia, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Sweden, The Netherlands) in the beautiful city of The Hague (The Netherlands). It took place from 27.06.2016-07.07.2016. The project is financed by the KA1 Erasmus+ programme.
 

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