Global decentralised network of self governed arts and culture communities
"And so the idea is that in this world view that we discussed, we would like arts and culture to be the push for all forms of human creativity to be recognized, not only what I mean by arts and culture, what you mean by arts and culture, but what every community in the world, understands as being their arts, crafts, culture."
In 2036, the arts and culture field consists of grassroots communities that thrive within a decentralized, self-governed global network.
An infrastructure built on a participatory governance framework, enabled through a diversified economic model that distributes funds equitably among communities. It operates as a learning and critically engaged peer-to-peer organization with a horizontal structure.
In 2036, the transnational arts and culture sector is shaped by a dynamic, decentralised environment where grassroots communities amplify each other’s strengths. This reality is enabled by a system where every creative expression—be it art, science, or language— is interwoven, reinforcing each other and the collective strength of communities.
The sector is characterised by a flexible, open structure that allows for the flow of resources and ideas, it funds those communities in need, ensuring that processes and support systems adapt to the needs of each community. Central to this vision is the concept of equitable access.
In 2036, the world has embraced a decentralized model of governance within the arts and culture sector, where each community has the autonomy to create and modify its own charters, protocols, and ethical frameworks. This flexibility allows communities to tailor their governance to their unique needs, fostering a dynamic and responsive system that evolves over time.
Two key components drive this system: participatory governance and economic empowerment. Communities elect or nominate rotating ambassadors who meet in global assemblies to manage funds and make decisions that reflect the collective will. This participatory approach ensures that all voices, including those of marginalized and grassroots communities, are represented.
The infrastructure supports a variety of funding mechanisms, one is inspired by South Africa's underprivileged communities and townships, a system called a stockpile has emerged, where community members pool their money to support specific causes. These stockpile groups have become so influential that even banks have taken notice, recognizing the substantial financial circulation within the townships. This grassroots approach decentralizes power, placing it directly in the hands of the community. As these communities grow stronger, the need for external funding diminishes, ideally leading to self-sustainability. However, the system remains flexible, allowing communities to access funds as needed, ensuring ongoing support while fostering independence and mutual advantage.
Economically, the system supports crowdfunding initiatives and negotiates with public institutions and the private sector to channel resources into the network. This multi-layered funding strategy pools resources from various sources—public, private, and community-driven—ensuring that funds are distributed in a just and equitable manner.
The goal is to create a self-sustaining, non-bureaucratic system that supports arts and culture as a fundamental aspect of life, driving social and ecological justice.
All of the landscapes takes inspiration in the research project of the Globus 2023 cohort.
This landscapes takes inspiration from