The EFFEA Duty of Care Protocol Generation #1 gathers reflections and new strategies derived from the residency experiences of festivals and artists selected under the European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists Call #1. EFFEA’s first round of grants supported 142 festivals and 43 artists, individuals or collectives, from 16 disciplines and 34 countries. The residencies were held between 1 February and 31 December 2023.
The EFFEA Duty of Care Protocol Generation #1 is a comprehensive compendium of findings, practices, questions and recommendations ‘translated’ into a protocol addressed at festivals and their duty to care for emerging artists. Drawn from 43 individual reports and shaped through feedback and stories by EFFEA Festivals and Artists, EFFEA Platform Members and Jury, the Protocol covers areas such as new power relationships between artists and programmers, fair remuneration and working conditions, inclusivity, meaningful planning, sustainable touring, arts and well-being, hybrid practices and presentation contexts, environmentally friendly practices, gender equality, and new business models. It was written by Péter Inkei from the Budapest Observatory of Summa Artium, who analysed, processed and interpreted all collected data.
EFFEA, an initiative of the European Festivals Association, is an artist-in-residency programme that offers emerging artists dedicated time, space and support to explore creative ideas and projects, by forging intimate ties with festival programmers and ensuring a sustainable commitment beyond a singular presentation. By extending an open invitation for festivals to work across borders and create a network of colleagues with shared goals, EFFEA recognises that the future lies in the synergy of diverse perspectives and collective efforts. By joining hands, festivals from different countries foster international career development and success of emerging artists. In addition, each EFFEA Residency includes participation in networking, seminars, workshops, masterclasses and presentations of the work to different audiences. The project operates on multiple levels, benefiting emerging artists, festivals, audiences, and the wider cultural sector.
Artists are the most vulnerable element of the artistic and cultural ecosystem, frequently lacking structure and structural support. Armed with a wealth of insights garnered through EFFEA residencies, festivals can play a crucial role in promoting and championing the interests and needs of emerging talents. These festivals position themselves as proactive supporters and facilitators of the artistic process. Not only do they contribute to a supportive environment for artists, but also to an industry-wide ripple effect towards fairer and more supportive working conditions.
EFFEA residencies are designed to provide artists with a support system that includes professional advice, training, mentoring, and connections to international and local communities. Key features of these residencies include work-in-progress presentations, workshops/masterclasses and online seminars called Intake and Outtake Seminars. These seminars bookend each EFFEA Generation (artists and festivals selected under an EFFEA Call) and address crucial topics that concern both festivals and artists as well as their relation with each other.
At the end of each EFFEA grant cycle, the Protocol will propose innovative strategies for improving the conditions of artists and empower the European Festivals Association to provide informed feedback to the sector and decision-makers on a local and European level. We encourage you to explore this first document and hope it prompts thoughts on a more sustainable future for the arts sector.