The Summer School is an online learning experience for cultural professionals willing to discover new methodologies and tools to support them through their job. It will be an international networking opportunity, a safe space in which to explore new ideas, but also a practical training opportunity to foster professional development.

And we wanted it to be fun! That’s why we’ll be working together on real challenges, experimenting with the process and tools developed within the A+ project.

• The participants we’ll be split into 6 different teams, working together for the duration of the Summer School.
• Each team will have the chance to apply the A+ methodology on a real audience challenge proposed by a cultural institution from one of the following countries: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and UK.
• Each team will be supported in applying the A+ process by two facilitators coming from the project consortium.
• At the end of the Summer School, each team will have the chance to pitch their own AD prototype idea to the management of the cultural institutions involved.

Working language is English. 

The programme is articulated in 6 online sessions (3 hours each).
All online sessions start at 10 am and end at 1 pm in the CEST time zone.

During each meeting you will have access to an inspiring talk with high profile guest speakers, a training session on ADESTE+ methodology and steps, a breakout room to work in with your team and discuss how to apply the tools we proposed on the case study you’re dealing with. A set of facilitators and one representative of the case study organisation will always be with you!

• A high profile learning opportunity involving speakers and mentors with top experiences in the field;
• The chance to explore and try out a new approach to work with audiences, in a practical way. Not the usual webinar!
• International networking and peer learning.

As a participant to the Summer School, you will get access to:

• 6 live online training sessions to explore the basics of the ADESTE+ process;
• 2 optional online meetings to further enhance your networking opportunities;
• A digital space with plenty of materials and resources related to the Summer School topics;
• The broader ADESTE+ community, made of hundreds of cultural professionals from all over Europe and beyond.

You’ll have the opportunity to have privileged access to the final European Conference to be held in Turin and online from 11th to 13th November 2021.

The ADESTE+ 2021 Summer School is open to a maximum of 80 people.  There is no fee, but it is a journey that we want to share together till the end. We ask you to check your calendar and set the dates in your agenda.

We will select participants balancing different criteria:

• Cultural sector you’re working in
• Country you’re living and working in (in Europe and beyond…)
• Gender balance
• Experience in arts and culture and/or management
• Experiences in working with the audiences

We will therefore welcome new participants and team them with previous edition’s participants.

You can apply by filling in this online form. Deadline for applications is 1st September. All results will be communicated by 7th September.

For further information, please check the FAQ below or contact us to summerschool@adesteplus.eu.

Which are the case studies involved?
The case studies will be communicated at the beginning of September. They will include cultural institutions of different sizes and sectors (performing arts, heritage, festival, etc), coming from the following countries: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, UK.

Can I choose the case study I want to work on?
At the beginning of September, the participants will receive, together with the confirmation of admission to the Summer School, the list and profiles of the case studies involved with a description of the related challenge. All participants will be asked to rank their preferences for the case studies they would like to work with. The ADESTE+ consortium will then create the working groups according to your preferences and other criteria. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences, but please remember that the Summer School is about learning a methodology: you will be able to apply it to different organisations and contexts afterwards.

Will I get to know the case studies before the start of the Summer School?
Yes, at the beginning of September, the participants will receive, together with the confirmation of admission to the Summer School, the list and profiles of the case studies involved with a description of the related challenge. All participants will be asked to rank their preferences for the case studies they would like to work with.

Who can I find in my group? How will they be created?
The working group will be composed of 8 to 12 professionals, according to different criteria. First of all we will take into account your preferences for the case studies involved, but we want to have teams as diverse as possible. We’ll thus consider also the country you’re coming from and your experience in the field. Anyway you can be sure to find international colleagues with previous experience in the cultural sector and a strong willingness to embrace new approaches towards cultural participation.

Do the facilitators support our job throughout all the Summer School?
Yes, you’ll meet with your working group and facilitators on the first session of the Summer School and then you’ll work together as a team throughout the whole Summer School. The facilitator will guide you through the ADESTE+ methodology and support you in using the tools we’ll provide. You and your team can stay in touch also beside the sessions, engaging through a digital platform.

Will I have the chance to meet other professionals, beside the ones in my same team?
Yes, all the sessions will be composed of a plenary session and of a working breakout room. You’ll have the chance to meet all the facilitators of the ADESTE+ consortium, our international guests and speakers and all the other participants both in the plenary sessions and in optional online meetings that we will arrange so as to help your networking.

What are the selection criteria?
Participants to the Summer School will be selected balancing different criteria, such as the cultural sector and country you’re working in, gender balance, and previous experience both in arts and culture and in working the audiences.

What happens if I’m selected for the Summer School?
All the professionals applying to the Summer School will get formal feedback by September 7th. Participants admitted to the Summer School will also receive the list of the case studies involved and their challenge, in order to rank their preferences and help us create the working groups. Every participant will receive a final confirmation of the case study and team he/she will be assigned to before the start of the Summer School. together with other detailed information and access to the online Summer School platform.

Will I get a certificate?
Yes, you will get a certificate of attendance if you take part in at least 4 sessions out of 6. Upon request we can also provide you with a certificate of attendance to share with your employer, if needed.