In 2015, Lokomotiva and Theatre of Navigator Cvetko achieved one of their most important goals – to create a sustainable space for creation, dissemination, education, meetings, collaboration and reflection in the field of contemporary performing arts. The creation of KINO KULTURA – Project Space for Contemporary Performing Arts and Culture, was a step towards this goal, and a space fulfilling the goal for five years (2015-2020), with the main support provided by Center Municipality. In 2020, this space was shut down due to lack of subsidies and support on local and national level. However, Lokomotiva keeps to its path, and continues to advocate for the development of an institution and a space for contemporary performing arts in Skopje.
KINO KULTURA – Project Space for Contemporary Performing Arts and Culture was developed as part of a private cinema theater built in 1937. After its renovation and opening, it became the only and most prominent space that hosted and developed programs for contemporary performing arts, as well as programs for the civil society and community. Since it opened Kino Kultura has elevated the process for creation of a new model of institution aiming to support and create working conditions for the production of contemporary performing arts creation, presentation and reflection, and enable the development of new forms of socio-political and cultural co-existence. Kino Kultura was producing conditions for institutionalization of the critical art practice and theory that is not represented in other public art, culture and education institutions in the country by collaborating with local and international art and cultural actors, as well as supporting, respecting and promoting diversity, participation, solidarity, democracy, human rights, working rights of cultural workers, gender equality, etc. During its 5 years of existence, such public space was unique in this context and its distinct program was developed in the field of contemporary art and culture, with an emphasis on performing arts (dance, performance, theater), offering an open program space for collaborative activities with the local and international community.
The basic program frames of “Kino Kultura” were comprised of 4 program lines: Theater Navigator and Lokomotiva (as programs developed by the main partners in relation to performing arts (theater, dance, and performance), Open Space (program developed in collaboration with other organizations from the independent cultural scene and the wider civil society sector, individuals and informal groups), and Together (program for animation, education, and creative development of the wider community). Theater Navigator and Lokomotiva curated their programs, while Open Space and Together were programs open for suggestions and not regulated by a process of selection or defined by aesthetic criteria or curatorial concepts. The activities realized in “Kino Kultura” include theater performances, contemporary dance and performance, workshops for experts and citizens, conferences, artistic research, residences, educational programs, different types of festivals, book promotions, concerts, etc.
The space of “Kino Kultura” was developed both from the aspect of programs and organization, as well as management by the co-founders, in collaboration with local and international partners. Regarding the development of the sustainable space and institutional model, the partners established several activities and programs which enabled them to reflect and consequently grow a model that would be the most suitable for the context and needs of the community. Thus, projects including Cultural Spaces for Active Citizens and Dissonant co-Spaces were developed through research, conferences, reflections, production of books, workshops, etc. This brought forward diverse ideas and results (the “Protocol for collaboration with the civil society within the program line Open Space”, international conference “Modelling Public Space(s) in Culture”, publication “Rethinking Institutional Practices in Culture and Historical (Dis)Continuities”, strategic planning of “Kino Kultura”), which are used as resources for future planning and development of the extension of Kino Kultura into a new institution for contemporary art, culture and policies.
More information about Kino Kultura are available at www.kinokultura.org.mk
Lokomotiva, together with partner organizations from the local context and through various projects and processes in cooperation with regional and domestic experts, is working on a new model of institution as a sustainable model for artists, cultural workers and the community, which will provide working conditions in the field of contemporary performing arts. The idea continues even though the Kino Kultura space is no longer in the service of culture. The format in which the space itself functioned is transformed into a developing platform (including several organizations) with the goal to grow into a cultural institution for contemporary arts (a model of civil-public partnership).
Lokomotiva keeps on developing new models of governance and collaboration in the field of contemporary art and culture, driving the reformation of cultural policies and working conditions in the field of dance, as well as in the larger socio-cultural sphere, through research, critical and theoretical reflection, capacity building of the cultural sector (public and civil), production and advocacy activities.
