The PRALIN exchange project actively promoted and supported communication between the independent performing arts communities in Berlin and Prague. Both communities had much in common, not only in terms of artistic aesthetics but also in working conditions and key topics of discussion. These two large cities, both home to progressive theater communities, were closely located and official partner cities. They mirrored each other in many ways while also remaining unique in several aspects. Each had its own set of challenges, yet both were open to learning from one another.

The project partners of PRALIN – the Prague Initiative for the Independent Scene Nová sít' and the Performing Arts Program of LAFT Berlin – jointly organized a number of networking opportunities, among them:

Delegation trips were organized to the two key festivals, Malá Inventura and Performing Arts Festival Berlin, as well as to industry meetings for the independent performing arts in both cities. These trips offered participants the chance to take part in additional networking and information events designed specifically for them, with the aim of directly connecting them with the scene in the other city.

The PRALIN Staff Exchange provided a long-term framework for exchange. In this year-round program, participants were able to network with the performing arts scene in the other city, develop and implement cooperation ideas, and work on projects together. In addition to being integrated into the structures of the respective partner city, participants formed their own network, were invited to relevant events in the host city, and received advice and support for their collaboration ideas.

The PRALIN Days highlighted thematic areas during industry meetings in both cities, offering information on the state of the independent performing arts scene in each partner city.

To stimulate guest performance exchanges and showcases, participants in the delegation trips were financially and organizationally supported in bringing productions to their own cities. Ongoing consultation and information-sharing between the two partner organizations also facilitated the simplification of contacts and helped sustainably promote cooperation and exchange between the independent performing arts in these two closely related European cities.

PRALIN Seminar: Funding Opportunities and Funding Structures for the Independent Performing Arts Sector

As part of a seminar organized by the Performing Arts Program and the Kulturförderpunkt on the Berlin funding landscape, a digital seminar session on the Prague funding landscape for international collaborations in the independent performing arts was held on February 22, 2021. The seminar was part of the PRALIN exchange format, which had been connecting practitioners from the independent scenes in Prague and Berlin since 2018. Focused on collaborations between the Czech Republic and Germany, Martina Pecková (Arts and Theatre Institute) and Petr Dlouhy (Nová Sít') discussed the funding landscape for Prague's independent scene.

To the recording (in English): https://vimeo.com/541587892

More information on partner initiatives and scene events:

www.novasit.cz
www.malainventura.cz
www.performingarts-festival.de

About the partner organization

Nová sít is a non-profit cultural organization located in Prague 7 which is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its founding in 2018. It continuously offers for advisement in the fields of NGO and mediation, it monitors and revitalizes the local culture and supports artist residencies. As a functional cultural network, it is in close contact with other cultural organizations within the Czech Republic and abroad and supports the network strategy, distribution and sharing. Beginning in 2016, Nová sít has developed the systematic program Art Gate to provide practical training in technical areas. Between 2009 and 2013, Nová sít managed the project Development of New Art (DNA) within the scope of the EU Cultural Program. Nová sít organizes the festival for new theater Malá Inventura in Prague, Jiín, Jihlava, eské Budjovice and Opava. Since 2012, Nová sít has provided awards for outstanding development, contributions to and support of new theater with its Czech Theatre DNA biennial awards.
www.novasit.cz