Cluj Cultural Centre launches a national project that engages the Romanian artists in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform “Artists together” responds to the initiative of the Romanian Health Observatory to convey important current subjects and themes to a public as large as possible. The initiative relies on the artists’ creativity as a vector in public information, but also as a promoter of solidarity in the context of the state of emergency and the global crisis.
“Romania goes through the most serious health crisis in the last half century. We can only go smoothly through it together. Together we can help the elderly who need support. Together, thinking of the doctors and nurses who are very exposed during this time. Together with our friends, supporting one another psychologically”, conveyed Vlad Mixich from the Romanian Health Observatory to the community of artists.
The platform Artists Together (www.artistiimpreuna.ro) will allow to frequently launch work themes, information or mobilization messages, as well as personal or community good practices. The artists are invited to transpose them into works and projects in the areas of visual arts, performance art, music or literature. Various approaches are welcomed: graphics, video animations, films, music, texts, including innovating formats.
“We started to collect money from companies and citizens – we already have the first 10 000 Euros –, we will use them to pay 300 Euros for each work developed urgently by artists who want to convey messages of solidarity, encouragement and awareness now. This way we put into motion the human mechanisms as well: trust, mental and emotional health, which are so needed in addition to the institutional ones. At the same time, we offer independent artists who are profoundly financially impacted in this period of time a very needed source of income”, said Ștefan Teișanu, Director of Cluj Cultural Centre.
After a validation process according to the proposed themes, the artists’ works and projects will be published online through their own channels, as well as through the platforms of the partners supporting the project. Depending on the availability, these works can also be disseminated through the official communication channels of the public authorities supporting the movement. In the following days, the distribution network will be extended to chains of shops, community organizations, outdoor networks, but also to local and national media partnerships. Even from its very launching, the project is supported by Banca Transilvania, a long term partner of Cluj Cultural Centre.
The initiative Artists Together intends to further mobilize institutions, organizations and companies in supporting important collective causes for the Romanian society by engaging the artistic community. Another project under the movement Artists Together is in the development stage and intends to establish a fund for emergency situations for artists in difficulty.
Cluj Cultural Centre is a non-governmental organization of culture and urban development that believes that culture makes cities present and human. Its mission is to mobilize culture, in partnership with other sectors, in order to contribute to the social transformation, as well as to the local and regional development.
The objective of the Romanian Health Observatory is to contribute to improving the healthcare system in Romania by carrying out research studies on the performance of healthcare policies and services.
