Alternative Youth Cultural Center

SUMMARY

There are dozens of graduate and undergraduate art students in central Kosovo who do not have facilities to create and work. These artists are lacking basic tools such as press for graphic design, stove for clay art works, facility to paint.. etc. Civil society organisations (CSOs) and some cultural institutions played a key role in the fight for social change and were often the only source of material promoting European values. Cultural/artistic activism has not encroached upon or established itself in the Kosovo’s communities as an equally valuable, contemporary form of artistic production. The prevailing opinion remains that it is something less valuable, related to party choice, closely linked to "political propaganda" and therefore "not artistic enough”. The standing of ethnic minorities in the Kosovo’s communities is improved, though remains far from good or equal. They are exposed to various forms of pollution, discrimination and intolerance. Members of marginalised social groups and minorities are victims of discrimination and violence and even mentioning human rights has somehow become “out of trend”. Paradoxically, the outcome of such trends and specific situations is a kind of apathy, orientation towards self in the activist community. The result is that there are ever fewer “successful, remarkable and effective” activism works present in public. Our society is changing, but not quickly or thoroughly enough, or even really genuinely! Obviously, the need for activism continues to exist. We strongly believe that activism can significantly contribute to facing the past, developing positive strategies and dealing with challenges that youth from minority communities are facing in nowadays Kosovo. The project shall establish an Alternative Youth Cultural Centre in Gracanica, where young artists from above mentioned municipalities can create their art pieces using facilities provided by the project on daily basis, promote their work on monthly basis through regular exhibitions, and sensitise community about social issues of importance for youth. All activities of this Project in their core connect, empower, sensitise, and strengthen pre-existing and/or potential (future) forms of cultural and every other form of activism in minority populated areas in Kosovo, such as Gracanica, Ranilug, Partes, Klokot and Novo Brdo.

ACTIVITIES

Conducting mapping of youth groups, artists and volunteers
Setting up a space for artists (Alternative cultural centre)
Conducting workshops with youth and volunteers
Alternative Cultural centre in motion – studio for graphic artists fully operational, studio for painters operational and sculptor’s workshop
Preparation of artistic works and exhibition
Conducting guerilla art intervention

RESULTS

Artists of different profiles, acknowledged and students, marginalised individuals and groups , activists & civil society organisations (CSOs), existing artistic and activism initiatives, groups, projects, institutions, networks etc., had the opportunity to benefit from the use of this alternative youth center. Various activities have been organized up to date such as: Art Exhibition, Photo exhibition, The Drama workshop Theatre play, Female art colony & Painting and Graphic Exhibition etc. Regular events are continuously being held.