İzmir Cooperation of Independent Performance and Culture Studies

The nature of contemporary performance practices transcends the scope of performing arts. The disciplines that until recently stood aside from each other are now mingled together and reach over the other. The search for new forms of expression and critical inquiry are as crucial as technical virtuosity; process as prominent as product. On a theoretical level, we conceive performance as a vast field encompassing all conscious and voluntary human acts involving performing and observing parties, which can manifest in the same subject at the same time as in meditation practices. It contains the fields of performing arts, contemporary arts practices, performance art, body/mind/soul disciplines and social performances among others. Therefore, we welcome in our cooperation parties from all disciplines, backgrounds and experience levels within this viewpoint and framework.

We view resource-building and advocacy in the non-profit independent art field within a civil society context while bearing in mind that commercialization does not necessarily mean depoliticization. Our primary areas of focus and intended contribution is production and presentation of work, event design and implementation and cultural policy studies. The terms ‘independent’ and ‘non-profit’ are descriptive of our nature as an initiative without regular funding from any institution nor economic rationale to make profit. On the other hand, in order to achieve sustainable, productive, liberating, altruist and responsible economic model, we are open to dialogue with public and private capital as well as NGOs and culture and art actors.

Our initial focus is to define an interdisciplinary and international common ground for cooperation in cultural management on an organizational, legal and financial level based in İzmir. This investigation is realized with the participation of artists, culture, arts and civil society professionals and academicians in the light of their past and recent experience.