Research informal cultural practice
Cultural practice includes all forms of arts, including song, dance and drama, as well as craftsmanship, historiography (writing stories about past events) and traditions. The way culture is practiced is changing. While cultural practice in the form of associations is declining and under pressure, informal cultural practice (cultural practice that is not organized in a formal legal form, or non-business) seems to be increasing. But what forms of informal cultural practice are there really? How do informal groups operate? What challenges do they face? And do they want support?
Support
The Huis voor de Kunsten Limburg supports volunteers (boards) of the many formal cultural associations and foundations active in Limburg. We offer these groups advice and support, for example in the areas of funding, cooperation, finding participants and communication in the form of knowledge sessions, workshops and advisory talks.
However, it is more difficult for the House to get visibility and contact with informally organized cultural practitioners. They meet in other ways and are less noticeable. Therefore, we know much less about whether and what challenges informal cultural practitioners have. The same goes for whether they need.
Online questionnaire
To gain clarity, it is necessary to know more about informal culture in Limburg. This is why the Huis voor de Kunsten Limburg, together with Maastricht University and Bureau Schoonbrood, is conducting research into informal culture in groups, both in amateur art and heritage.
Do you engage in culture in an informal way? Click here to complete the questionnaire. You can complete the questionnaire through Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, and it will take a maximum of 15 minutes.
Formal cultural practice
In Limburg, many people spend their leisure time involved in music, films, theater and dance performances. This is often done in groups as members of associations or as students at art centers. Many volunteers are also active in heritage organizations such as museums, local history circles (circles or associations related to an area, country, province, city or theme), Limburg language groups and mills. They take care of our cultural heritage.
Associations or foundations where art activities happen or heritage is cared for are registered with the Chamber of Commerce. These organizations have rules and have an official board responsible for the association or organization. We therefore call this form of cultural practice "formally organized" or we refer to it as "formal cultural practice.
Informal cultural practice
There are also groups of people who "unite" or meet in other ways and engage in culture and preserve our heritage. Think of an online network where people meet and share stories or photos, book clubs, pop bands, music groups, painting groups, folk dance groups, storytellers, groups of friends who build wagons and make costumes for Vastelaovend, groups that annually celebrate a village tradition or perform a craft together.
Because these groups are not organized into an association or other official form with rules attached, we call them "informally organized" or speak of "informal cultural practice.
About the study
The research is being done as part of the Amateur Arts Limburg Recovery Support Plan and is financially supported by the Cultural Participation Fund.
