Oral presentation- Justine F

Trans Europe Halles (TEH) is a European network of independent cultural centers created in 1983 when an independent cultural centre, Halles de Schaerbeek organized a three day forum in Brussels focused on the alternative cultures which were growing up in the former industrial buildings. Seven centers from seven European cities took part in this initial meeting that gave birth to TEH.

Today, TEH connects innovative cultural actors of 29 European countries, from France to Russia, through Germany, Latvia, Sweden and Slovakia for instance. There are 51 members (red points) and 21 friends (grey points) which work in many different forms of art.

The aim is to help the mobility and the professional development of cultural operators. Now TEH is one of the biggest and most active cultural networks in Europe which provides a dynamic platform for exchange and co-operation between the members. 

Their actions:

The meetings are one of the most important points because they give the possibility to answer to the members’ needs, to help each other. The meetings happen twice a year in a different place every time and they always work about a different topic which is in link with the current context in the host country. For instance, the TNT in Bordeaux accommodated the 72^nd meeting in October 2011 and the topic was Neighborhood – community arts.

Because these formal meetings are also the place for informal meetings where people can speak about what they do, they lioke, they saw, etc., they contribute to long-lasting relationships, and this is an objective of TEH network.

The project “Changing room” ran from 2008 to 2010 and contributed to the mobility of the cultural operators. It was the biggest project of TEH.

“Engine Room Europe” (ERE) has been running from 2011 to 2014 and it is the support of different actions like the accommodation of European volunteers or cultural projects, like "220 Volt!" for the future professionnal of the cultural field, that every member can organize with the global budget.

How to join?

Any cultural center can apply for a membership by going to a meeting as a guest and then by filing in an application. They must be non-for-profit organizations, encourage interaction between different art forms (mostly contemporary), situated in former commercial or industrial buildings, be aware about social and political aspects of culture. They can organize or take part in the activities and projects but also participate in the decision-making at General Assembly. it costs between 300 and 1200€

Any structure or individual can become a “friend” just by sending an e-mail to present oneself. Friends are informed of the activities and projects of TEH, and are welcome to participate in the meetings. The Friend membership fee is 200 Euros per year.

It is obvious that networks like TEH aim to bring cultural actors together to get them acquainted and to create new projects with a co-operation background. They are open to young people as they help to develop the professional competences, then we are all welcome to participate!

Website of TEH: 

http://www.teh.net/

Information about the current programme ERE:

http://www.fabrykasztuki.org/220_volt/220-volt,97