CTM project #shares: 2024 Reflection Workshop in Epanomi

What is CTM project?

Cultural Transformation Movement (CTM) project is a context-based process to diversify artistic production and its destination starting from within the organisation. It is led by Trans Europe Halles with four of TEH members, Brunnenpassage from Austria, VIERNULVIER from Belgium, Zo centro culture contemporanee from Italy, IZOLYATSIA. Platform for Cultural Initiatives from Ukraine. With the Cultural Transformation Movement project, we are taking real steps, making genuine commitments and openly sharing experiences with the other TEH members about how to make social justice a priority in arts, culture and creative industries. Funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Cultural Transformation Movement project is designed for four years (2023-2027) and aims to transform the participating cultural organisations, so they include and reflect the full range of backgrounds and perspectives to be found in European society today.

What is Reflection Workshop?

Collective Reflection Workshop is an essential part of CTM project. Taking place twice a year: during TEH Annual Conference and TEH Camp Meeting, Reflection Workshop is facilitated by Laura Camacho Salgado, CTM Artistic Transformation Facilitator, and aims to provide a platform for CTM artists/agents-of-change (called #AoCs) from participating centers-of-change (called #CoCs) to meet together, reflect on their experiences with the local context and share their impressions, notes and major findings from the encounters with the local communities of the participating #CoCs in Italy, Belgium, Austria and Ukraine.

Reflection Workshop is a chance for #AoCs to learn from each other and develop collective approaches to proactively engage with the local context throughout the cultural transformation process towards social justice & across borders.

Reflection Workshop #4: Stop << Rewind ((Breathe)) Forward

Inspired by Argatia, a Pontic concept of collective support, the 4th workshop from the series of Reflection Workshops invited participants in Epanomi (Greece, at TEH Camp Meeting) to rethink collaboration, inclusivity and systemic transformation in the arts. The workshop followed a structured methodology to encourage introspection, unlearning biases and developing collective actions.

Participants engaged in grounding exercises and mindful deep listening, emphasizing slowing down and centering around collective purpose. Inspired by Pauline Oliveros' “soundscapes,” this phase heightened awareness and fostered openness without bias. After that, small group discussions reflected on systemic exclusions and unconscious biases, identifying overlooked groups, including:

• financially vulnerable individuals,
• marginalized voices due to economic, linguistic, or mental/physical barriers,
• youth, elderly, and communities affected by displacement,
• non-human entities (environment, animals) and “invisible labor” (technicians, production teams).

Finally, groups brainstormed actionable strategies to disrupt exclusionary practices and promote inclusivity.

Although time was limited, participants shared key findings & challenges:

• structural barriers: economic insecurity, mental well-being, and limited funding impede inclusivity.
• accountability: a need for mechanisms to ensure representation goes beyond superficial diversity metrics.
• collective action: emphasis on shifting from individualistic to community-centered practices.

The Epanomi Reflection Workshop underscored the importance of stopping, unlearning, and acting collectively to address systemic barriers in the cultural sector. Participants highlighted the need for sustainable funding, structural change and shared responsibility to foster a more inclusive and equitable arts landscape. Curious to read the full report?