On trust and accountability
REGENERATE is Noorderlicht’s 29th International Photo Festival but also our first real biennial. Three years ago, we decided to organise this anchor in our programme every two years instead of annually. This gives us more time to prepare. After all, financing an event like this takes considerable effort, but luckily it always works out.
Nevertheless, there’s something that continues to consume me, and I’m not alone in this.
It concerns the following:
For project financing, the rules of many funding bodies are tight and manifold. And it’s not easing, although many are calling for regulations to be tempered. Sometimes I have the impression that you’re required to predict the future and produce scientific papers to convince funding body committees of a project’s value. “What is the rationale for the theoretical framework of your project?” is one of the questions asked. To my mind, that belongs in your policy plan and not in an application for project funding. “Which artists are featured at your festival and with which works?” is another example. A well-substantiated indication of the kind of artists and work we are seeking is not enough, and so the application can only be made at a late stage, since that’s how the festival works. And another, “How many visitors do you expect per specific target group, what activities are there for them, and how will you organise their involvement?” I could give more examples, but I think you get my point.
I fully understand that you need to be able to justify and provide a good picture of what you intend to do. That said, a little more trust in us as a professional organisation, as opposed to betting on 100% certainty, would go a long way. A project such as our festival involves many decisions in the run-up to the event, and the last of these decisions occur just before it opens. This is how we ensure quality and present the most up-to-date programme possible. Organising a biennial like Noorderlicht International Photo Festival is a creative process, not a predetermined trajectory! In short: provide trust beforehand, and accountability afterwards.
But undeterred, we have succeeded once more! For this coming edition, we have acquired sufficient funds to put on a modest festival. From 23 June to 10 December, there will be a relay programme at various locations in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. Work by dozens of visual artists from around the world will be on show at Museum Belvédère in Heerenveen, Museum Opsterland in Gorredijk and Het Stationskwartier in Leeuwarden. Festival locations in Groningen include the Akerk, Pictura and our very own Noorderlicht Studio. In Assen, we are showing work in Campis, centre for contemporary art. The Open Student Call, in which we call on international photography students to submit work, is once again part of our programme. As is Noorderlicht Bloom, in which young artists organise their own exhibition with a nod to the festival’s theme.
The programme is now almost finalised. So be sure to keep an eye on our website!
