Dear Sir/Madam, 

The Central European Initiative (C.E.I.) is organising the first edition of the CEI Forum on the Promotion of Art and Culture in Central Eastern Europe. The Forum will be held on June 9th and 10th 2003 at the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice. The aim of the Forum is to give cultural operators an opportunity to meet on a regular basis, every two years, to exchange knowledge and discuss topical issues in particular with regards to the promotion of contemporary art in the 17 countries of C.E.I. (Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Czech Republic, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slovak Republic, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Hungary).

Thanks to the experience the Trieste Contemporanea Committee acquired in Venice in 2001 with its first experiment in setting-up a discussion forum on these topics, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has entrusted the Committee with the organisation, in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice, of the forthcoming event on behalf of CEI.

The theme of this years Forum will be: networking, co-curatorship and coproduction. Fostered by the widespread diffusion of cultural networks and by the growing interest in co-curatorial projects, coproduction seems to be enjoying growing popularity, especially with regards to the objectives and requirements of the countries of Central Eastern Europe. The selected theme is not only directly relevant to the overall aim of the Forum to investigate new forms of promotion of contemporary art but can also offer a sound basis to set up an archive, or rather a “permanent observatory”, on the CEE institutions which are actively involved in developing strategies of cultural promotion. We are planning for the collection of information to become a permanent activity of the Forum secretariat.

The possibility of guaranteeing a good degree of continuity to this “permanent observatory” relies very much on the generous assistance of all the institutions and people working in this field in Central Eastern Europe. We would be very grateful if you could help us by filling in the attached questionnaire which has been designed to collect information from institutions operating in this region of Europe. We are grateful for any additional comment and observation you may wish to include and for any assistance you can give us in circulating it among your colleagues.

It would be greatly helpful if you could send us the completed questionnaire by May 20th 2003, as this would allow us to process the information in time to present a broad overview of the current situation in this first edition of the Forum. Indeed this would provide solid grounding to the open debate we trust will arise in the course of the meeting (to this end the first quantitative section of the questionnaire is particularly useful). 
We hope the Forum will also be the occasion to meet you in person and we shall gladly supply you all the necessary details should you be able to attend. 

Whilst thanking you deeply for your attention, we trust in your kind collaboration to this initiative.

Yours faithfully, 

Giuliana Carbi and Alessandra Knowles
Trieste Contemporanea Committee

Trieste Contemporanea Committee
via del Monte 2/1
I-34121 Trieste, ITALY
Tel. +39 040 639187
fax +39 040 367601
e-mail: tscont@tin.it
www.tscont.ts.it

QUESTIONNAIRE

Please fill in the questionnaire inserting an X in the brackets provided where the voice applies and replacing the black line with your text. 
Please return to Trieste Contemporanea: tscont@tin.it (attn: Alex Knowles) 

1. General information on the Institution

Name 	___________________________________________________
Name in English (if used) 	_____________________________________
Acronym (if used) 	__________________________________________
c/o (if any) 	___________________________________________________
address 	___________________________________________________
postcode 	___________________________________________________
city 	________________________________________________________
administrative address (if different from the above) 	___________________
____________________________________________________________
district/province 	_______________________________________________
region/county 	_______________________________________________
country 	___________________________________________________
phone 	_______________________________________
fax 	____________________________________________
e-mail 	________________________________________
web-site 	_____________________________ activated in (year)	______

Name of director/legal representative 	_____________________________
position 	____________________________________________________
duration of mandate 	______________________________
office address __________________________________________________
phone 	_______________________________________
fax 	____________________________________________
e-mail 	_______________________________________
short CV (max 7 lines) 	______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

2. INSTITUTION PROFILE 

2.1 Year and place of foundation 	_________________________________

2.2 Legal status (tick as appropriate)

state institution (  ) (please specify 	___________________________________)

regional (  ) county (  ) provincial (  ) municipal (  ) other (  ) institution
(if other please specify 	_____________________________________)

national (  ) international (  ) foundation

cultural (  ) professional (  ) social (  ) or other (  ) association 
(if other please specify 	__________________________________________)

non-profit organisation (  )

committee (  )

private organisation/institution (  ) (please specify 	_________________________)

non-profit co-operative (  ) (please specify type 	__________________________)

other (  ) (please specify 	__________________________________________________)

2.3 Infrastructure and facilities

permanent offices 				yes (  )      no (  )

departments/sections 			yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify number 	_________________________________)

library 						yes (  )      no (  )

archive 						yes (  )      no (  ) 
(if yes, please specify subjects 	__________________________________)

web-site 					yes (  )      no (  ) 
(if yes, please specify characteristics and frequency of updating 	_______________)

exhibition space/ gallery			yes (  )      no (  )
video facilities/projection rooms	yes (  )      no (  )
conference/meeting facilities		yes (  )      no (  )
permanent collection			yes (  )      no (  )
acquisition policy			yes regular (  )   yes sporadically (  )     no (  )

3. INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY
 
3.1 Main fields of activity covered by your institution
(please select a maximum of 3 and order according to prevalence from 1 to 3)

information and promotion 			(  )
historical research					(  )
socio-anthropological research 			(  )
contemporary theory and criticism 		(  )
education / training 				(  )
other (please specify	______________) 	(  )

3.2 Main disciplines covered by your institution
(please select a maximum of 3 and order according to prevalence with numbers 1 to 3)

performing arts 					(  )
music 							(  )
visual arts 						(  )
architecture 						(  )
literature 						(  )
cinema 							(  )
media							(  )
heritage 						(  )
crafts 							(  )
other (please specify 	______________) 	(  )
3.3 Main activities carried out by your institution (tick as appropriate)

exhibitions 			yes national (  )    yes international (  )    no (  )
(if yes, please specify number per year 	national _____ 	international _____)

co-operation projects 	yes national (  )    yes international (  )    no (  )
(if yes, please specify number per year 	national _____ 	international _____)

festivals 			yes national (  )    yes international (  )    no (  )
(if yes, please specify number per year 	national _____ 	international _____)

competitions			yes national (  )    yes international (  )    no (  )
(if yes, please specify number per year 	national _____ 	international _____)

conferences 			yes national (  )    yes international (  )    no (  )
(if yes, please specify number per year 	national _____ 	international _____)

exchange programs				yes (  )      no (  )
residencies					yes (  )      no (  )
workshops/seminars			yes (  )      no (  )
education activity				yes (  )      no (  )
book presentations 				yes (  )      no (  )
working groups 				yes (  )      no (  )
advice for members				yes (  )      no (  )
other						yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify 	____________________________________________)

3.4 Publications

exhibition catalogues 			  yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify number/year and languages 	_________________________)

publications (essays, books)		  yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify publication details 	______________________________)

in-house magazine/newsletter		  yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify title and languages _______________________________)

databases/internet magazine 		  yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify subject and languages 	_________________________)

other 						  yes (  )      no (  )
(if yes, please specify 	____________________________________________)

[remarks (maximum 6 lines): _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________]

4. AUDIENCE AND PROMOTION 

4.1 The activity of your institution is prevalently directed to
(please select a maximum of 3 and order according to prevalence with numbers 1 to 3)

artists							(  )
students						(  )
general public 					(  )
specialists and critics 				(  )
youth 							(  )
other (please specify 	______________)	(  )

4.2 The activity of your institution is mainly promoted by way of
(please select a maximum of 3 and order according to importance with numbers 1 to 3)

newspapers and magazines			(  )
specialised magazines 				(  )
radio							(  )
television 						(  )
internet mailing list					(  )
promotional printed material			(  )
internet info-points 				(  )
advertising						(  )
other (please specify 	_____________)		(  )

4.3 Your activity is promoted (multiple choice is possible)
locally (  ) 	nationally (  ) 	internationally (  ) 

[remarks (maximum 6 lines): _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________] 

5. FUNDING 

5.1 Main sources of funding
(please select a maximum of 3 and order according to prevalence with numbers 1 to 3)

state/national funding				(  )
if yes, please specify source 	_____________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

international organisations			(  )
if yes, specify if private (  ), public (  ), foundations (  ), European Commission (  )

private funding					(  )
if yes, please specify if through  donations (  )  sponsorship (  )   other (  )

self-financing (membership)			(  )

revenues						(  )
if yes, please specify if through  tickets (  )   sales (  )   other (  )

other 							(  )
(if yes, please specify ____________________________________________)

6. COLLABORATION, COPRODUCTION AND NETWORKS

6.1 Your institution engages in collaboration projects with other institutions at 
national level (  )     international level (  )     not at all (  ) 

6.2 Your institution is a formal member of one or more networks at
national level (  )     international level (  )     not at all (  ) 
(if yes, please indicate name/s 	__________________________________)

6.3 Your institution engages in co-production projects 
regularly (  )     sporadically (  )     not at all (  )

6.4 Your institution is engages in co-production projects at 
national level (  )     international level (  )     not at all (  ) 

6.5 If yes, the main partners in co-production projects are
(please select a maximum of 3 and order according to frequency with numbers 1 to 3) 
local cultural organisations 				(  )
state owned/public institutions				(  )
independent organisations				(  )
no-profit associations					(  )
commercial galleries/institutions			(  )
private foundations						(  )
local/regional/national networks			(  )
administrative bodies 					(  )
other (please specify ______________) 		(  )

6.6 If you are engaged in international co-production projects, your partner institutions are mainly from (please select one)

world-wide							(  )
Eastern Europe						(  )
The European Union					(  )

[remarks (maximum 6 lines): ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________]

QUALITATIVE SECTION

7. INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY

8.1 What are the three most significant projects your institution has carried out in the past two years? (Please specify if the projects were local, national or international)
1. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

8.2 In what directions/ways are you planning to expand your institutional activity, if at all?
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________

8.3 If your institution is a member of an international network, how effective do you feel this is in promoting the activity of your institution?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

8.4 Have you had any significant experience in international co-oproduction? If yes, how effective do you feel it has been in promoting the activity of your institution?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

8.6 If you have taken part in any international co-production project, please list the partner countries involved.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________  

8. RECENT CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN CENTRAL-EASTERN EUROPE 

9.1 Which in your opinion are the most significant/active cultural institution operating in your country today? (Please indicate a max. of 3 in order of significance)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.2 Which in your opinion have been the most significant cultural initiative carried out in your country in 2001/2002? (Please indicate 3 in order of significance)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.3 Who do you feel are currently the most interesting artists from your country? 
(Please name a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.4 Who do you feel are currently the most interesting curators from your country? 
(Please name a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.5 Which countries from Central-Eastern Europe (CEE) do you feel are the most advanced with regards to the promotion of contemporary art and culture?
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.6 Which in your opinion are the most relevant publications on CEE contemporary art and culture? (Indicate a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.7 Which in your opinion are the most interesting web-sites dealing with the art and culture of CEE? (Indicate a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.8 Are there any relevant films/documentaries on specific artists or art movements from your country produced over the last 10 years? 
(If yes, please specify title, director/s and producer/s for a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.9 Which in your opinion has been the most significant international visual arts exhibition dedicated to contemporary CEE art in 2001/2002?
_________________________________________________________

9.10 Which international events do you feel give, or have given, CEE contemporary art greatest visibility? (Indicate a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

9.11 Which are in your opinion the themes bearing most relevance to CEE contemporary art that you feel should be raised in the major international initiatives? (Indicate a maximum of 3)
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
Please return the questionnaire by 20 May 2003 to: 
Alex Knowles (Contact person for the questionnaire)
Trieste Contemporanea Committee
e-mail: tscont@tin.it
Tel.: +39 040 639187 
Fax: +39 040 367601
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE WILL BE VERY WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!