1/2010 Happy New Year!

Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:00

13.01.2010

I hope the New Year will be both successful and creative for all of you.

Reading the news in this letter you will see that there has been an increase in number of applications we have received to the programmes during 2009. The amount of money our experts have at their disposal has however not increased. If the trend continues in 2010 it is obvious that the competition will be even harder than last year.

So, what can you do in addition to having a good idea and turning it into a good project? The best help you can get is from reading the guidelines carefully and then write the application with both mind and heart.

Those of you who do receive support or have received it before, please remember that we want to tell about your project, show photos or any kind of recordings that we can post on our website www.kulturkontaktnord.org. Please keep this in mind not only when you start reporting from the project, but also when you are in the middle of it. The money that you receive through Nordic Culture Point is public money, and politicians as well as the public does as a rule appreciate knowing how their money is spent.

The programmes were discussed and adjusted last year by their owners, the Nordic Council of Ministers. Many of you contributed to the discussion in several different ways. The discussions are still going on and several adjustments have already been made. Adjustments the Council hopes will better serve the needs of all artists and cultural participants.

The main changes will take place within the Art and Culture programme, which has received a new name; Culture and Art programme. Additionally the programme will start inviting amateurs to apply. The guidelines will be adjusted and published on our website shortly. There will be a new group of experts starting as of the first round this year.

Many of you have contacted us already about what will change in the programme, and we have had some difficulties giving answers to all your questions. We here at Nordic Culture Point post all information on our website as soon the information is available.

The Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture will continue in the same form as it has been since the beginning of 2009, when the three Baltic countries joined. The three expert groups will continue with some minor changes.

The new application deadlines for the first half of the year have been posted on our website, and I can hardly wait to see all your good ideas!

Greetings from Suomenlinna


Bergljót Jónsdóttir

Director