Structural Support - Model for Progressive Culture was the name of the constructive workshop organised by Public Room on 12 and 13 January 2010 in Hotel Karpoš in Skopje. The main objectives of the workshop were to increase the capacities of the cultural sector in Macedonia throughout presentation of contemporary functional model for structural support and to stimulate the creation of domestic model for structural financing build on expertise in countries where the structural support is not a novelty.

In her opening speech, Ambassador Simone Filippini stressed the role of culture as a frontrunner of the society which is the first to explore new frontiers and show the society how it can move on and improve further. “Culture is inherently dialogical – it seeks listeners, viewers, but most of all, interlocutors” – she said, pointing out that each state and society have almost an obligation to make their best effort in creating an environment that would be as enabling as possible for development of culture.

Ms. Vivian Paulissen , Developer and advisor for international arts & culture project,  Ms. Geerte Wachter , Section cultural participation Provincie Utrecht, Mr. Heiner Holtappels Director Netherlands Media Art Institute and Mr. Chris Keulemans Director and founder of Tolhuis Amsterdam have shared their experiences of the models for cultural support in the Netherlands. Together with their counterparts from the Macedonian Ministry of Culture, the cultural departments of the local self-government units and the NGOs active in the field of culture they discussed the development of an independent model for structural support in Macedonia, suited to the existing conditions on the local and national level.

The final results of the workshop will be published in the booklet, which will serve as guidelines for structural changes on local and national level. The workshop was financed through the Embassy Culture and Development Fund. For more information on the programme, please visit:  http://www.publicroom.org/projects/structural-support-model-progressive-culture.