About the European House for Culture

Dear colleagues,

Europe is also, and maybe first and foremost, a cultural project. For many people this is obvious, but for many others this may not be the case. Diverse efforts on all possible levels are necessary to get this conviction widely accepted. For years now, many initiatives have been keen to seek the limelight. And new ones arise.

One of these is the recently established European House for Culture, initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA). This much cherished newborn aims to be a House of welcome and encounters for all who believe that Culture and Art have a fundamental role to play in society – a place where the voice of the cultural sector is given a physical manifestation.

Culture and Art are key motors in the process of European integration. We know, but do others? Do all? There is the need, at all decision-making levels, for a greater visibility and recognition of the arts and cultural sector’s role in building a Cultural Europe.

The European House for Culture addresses these needs in the same spirit of collaboration and sharing that characterizes the culture sector’s modus operandi. Situated in Brussels, it provides a physical working-meeting-place for networks in Brussels, as well a central dock for all those coming to Brussels. As a result, this place gives new dynamics to the cultural sector, combining mobilization and encouragement of its associated partners. With the symbolic significance of a physical space in Brussels, the European House appeals to the imagination of diverse decision makers: this is what this place can offer.

Next to the associated partners, individuals are the driving force behind the European House for Culture. Founding members include Steve Austen, Darko Brlek, Stef Coninx, Hugo De Greef, Frans de Ruiter, Kathrin Deventer, Bernard Faivre d’Arcier, Rose Fenton and Nele Hertling, many more members to be welcomed in the ears to come. We are proud to assemble this group of people that is committed to act as members and ambassadors of the House, strongly believing in arts, culture and art’s role in international networking and integration.

We are delighted to introduce you to and welcome you at the European House for Culture!

Frans de Ruiter

President of the European House for Culture

The European House for Culture is the place for cultural networks in Brussels – capital of the European Union, seat of EU and supranational institutions, city of many cultural networks and lobbying organisations.

Its mission is to serve the building of the ground for a strong advocacy for a central place of culture in policy making.

The European House for Culture addresses this aim - in the same spirit of collaboration and sharing that characterizes the culture sector’s modus operandi – by facilitating

• a physical working-meeting-place for the cultural organisations (and others) in Brussels;
• collaboration and synergies between cultural and civil society networks and actors in Europe;
• the maximization of the operational results of cultural organisations;
• activities aimed at opening a sustained dialogue with other sectors and with European citizens;
• the development of initiatives that improve the quality of cultural activities in Europe.

The House gives new dynamics to the cultural sector in Europe, combining mobilization and advocacy of its associated partners. Its power lies in its:

• symbolic significance of a physical space in Brussels;
• offer of a central dock for organizations not based in Brussels;
• appeal to the imagination of the European decision makers.

Networks and cultural initiatives are invited to become partners of the European House for Culture.

The European Festivals Association is the initiator of the European House for Culture.

The European House for Culture (EHfC) is a non-for-profit organization set up under Belgian law on 10 September 2008. Its seat is at the Flagey in Brus­sels, an arts and cultural venue. The EHfC has Members – the legal representation of the House, and works with Partners.