Mapping

Building Perceptions and Developing Capacities in the Egyptian Cultural Fields (The 4th Workshop)

Within the framework of the program Support to Cultural Diversity and Creativity in Egypt, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina invites workers at the Egyptian cultural field to participate in its upcoming workshop that is carried out under the theme of mapping and supporting the cultural industries in Egypt.

The workshop is regarded the fourth event organized by the BA within the series of interactive workshops, implemented under the title of “Building Perceptions and Developing Capacities in the Egyptian Cultural Fields”. The workshops are specifically designed for worker at the Egyptian cultural field and extend to the different Egyptian governorates. The fourth workshop  will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, between the 18^th to the 20^th of May 2015, and targets applicants from the following governorates; Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia, North Sinai, Port Said, Red Sea, Sharkeya, South Sinai and Suez.

Practical Information:

• The workshop is the fourth event to be held within a series of interactive workshops, implemented under the theme of “Building Perceptions and Developing Capacities in the Egyptian Cultural Fields”.
• The workshops aim to train workers in the cultural field on a set of sophisticated techniques, to raise their skills and prepare them to carry out their responsibilities to further enhance the cultural development of Egypt. Each workshop extends over three days and adopts an interactive training methodology, which is implemented through lectures, workshops, debates and practical training. The following topics are discussed throughout the workshops:
  • The definition of culture and the true meaning of the concept, as well as its importance to society in general.
  • Understanding the reciprocal relationship between society and culture, and identifying the key players in the Egyptian cultural field; and whether they are partners or rivals.
  • The creation of initiatives, projects and advanced cultural institutions; in terms of structure, goals and vision.
  • The nature of cultural policies and the influencing factors in the field of cultural work, such as; the media, education, and the public and private sectors.
  • The process of creating cultural policies in compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (articles 19 and 27), the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and the articles of the Egyptian Constitution.
  • The importance of long and short-term planning for cultural institutions.
  • Utilizing cultural strategies as means to achieve goals, and the strategic choices that suit each institution separately.
  • Management techniques and practices for cultural institutions including: joint work; team building; negotiation; delegation of tasks and authorities; and managing meetings, workshops, and technological integration.
  • Marketing of cultural products, and the difference between commercial and cultural marketing. The concept of marketing mix and how to develop effective marketing plans are also addressed.
  • Dealing with various media mechanisms in order to promote cultural media, and the new social networking platforms. The importance of documentation and imaging are also emphasized.

The workshop concludes with formulating recommendations and unconventional ideas to finance cultural projects.

Criteria for Participation:

• Participation in the workshop is possible after filling the registration form listed below and succeeding in the application process. (The application deadline for the fourth workshop is on the 25^th of April, 2015).
• Participants should demonstrate an interest and previous experience in the cultural field.
• The fourth workshop targets applicants from the following governorates; Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia, North Sinai, Port Said, Red Sea, Sharkeya, South Sinai and Suez.
• Successful candidates will be contacted individually by the organizers; they will be informed of the venue at which the workshop will be held, and all other necessary information.
• Selected participants will be provided accommodation during the event.
• In order to apply, participants must fill the attached registration form and email it to cultural.creativity@bibalex.org together with a copy of their CV.