InnoCulture 2024: Harnessing Culture to Drive Innovation and Well-being in the Baltic Sea Region

On November 19-20, 2024, the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk became a beacon of collaboration and innovation as it hosted the InnoCulture Conference. This unique event, organized by Policy Area Culture alongside the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre, the Goyki3 Art Incubator, Ars Baltica, and the CCI Contact Desk, brought together cultural actors from across the Baltic Sea Region. With the patronage of the European Commission Representation in Poland, the conference marked the launch of what is set to become an annual Culture Forum within the EUSBSR.

Exploring the Interplay of Culture and Innovation

This year’s conference revolved around the role of culture in driving innovation across critical sectors such as health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and mobility. Three inspiring keynote speeches and five interactive workshops provided participants with valuable insights into leveraging culture for innovative solutions, fostering connections among professionals, and contributing to the evolution of the cultural sector across the region.

Spotlight on Arts and Health: The “Arts on Prescription” Contribution

A highlight of InnoCulture 2024 was the Culture X Health workshop, organized by the West Pomerania Region in partnership with the Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region (AoP) project. This initiative served as a compelling example of how arts-based interventions can significantly enhance health and well-being.

Key Sessions and Insights

• Prof. Dr. Jacek Rudnicki set the tone with a compelling presentation on the positive impact of cultural engagement on health outcomes.
• Stine Eskesen Keiding of the Municipality of Odense (Denmark), Lead partner of the AoP project, shared main objectives and results of the project and explained the concept of the Arts on Prescription programme, which can be successfully implemented by regional authorities, local administrations or cultural institutions to foster societal well-being.

Participants, divided into three collaborative groups, engaged in discussions led by experts: Kornelia Kiss (Culture Action Europe), Monika Klein (Media Dizajn Association), and Jacek Rudnicki. These sessions yielded actionable recommendations for national funding programmes to scale up arts-based health initiatives across the EU.

Arts on Prescription in Practice

An accompanying workshop, held at Gdańsk’s Old Town Hall, offered a hands-on exploration of the AoP program. Guided by acclaimed Polish actors Sylwia Różycka and Karol Pruciak, the session focused on how artistic expression can alleviate stress, build social bonds, and support emotional resilience. Marta Ciesielska opened the event with an overview of AoP’s achievements across seven countries in the Baltic Sea Region, demonstrating the transformative potential of arts in health care.

Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Cooperation

Day two of the conference included a playful yet strategic workshop led by Monika Tomczyk-Klein, who utilized LEGO bricks to inspire participants to develop fresh ideas for sustainable cultural cooperation. This creative approach highlighted the power of innovation and collaboration in tackling complex cultural and social challenges.

A Call for Action: Prioritizing Health and Well-being through the Arts

The InnoCulture Conference underscored a pressing need for health policies to pivot from treatment to prevention, with arts-based interventions playing a critical role. By integrating creativity into health promotion strategies, regional and local stakeholders can build healthier, more connected communities.

As a model for such initiatives, the Arts on Prescription (AoP) project has already demonstrated remarkable success in Denmark and Sweden, as well as in other participating countries. Inspired by the World Health Organization’s recognition of the health benefits of the arts, the conference provided a platform for developing recommendations to expand these efforts across the EU.

Looking Ahead: Building a Future of Cultural Innovation

InnoCulture 2024 was not just a conference—it was a movement to redefine the role of culture in addressing contemporary challenges. With its inaugural session hailed as a success, the event has set the stage for an annual Culture Forum, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration across the Baltic Sea Region. As the region continues to champion cultural innovation, the insights and partnerships forged at InnoCulture 2024 promise to shape a brighter, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Programme Manual Online

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