Barna Petrányi: Producing Artistic Events
Barna Petrányi, managing director of the Hungarian organization Pro Progressione, discussed the strategies his organization uses in producing and financing artistic events. His lecture focused on managing international artistic projects, including how to leverage EU programs such as Creative Europe and Erasmus+. Petrányi also shared tips on building international partnerships and key takeaways from past projects.
1. Background and Activity of Pro Progressione
Organization Profile:
Pro Progressione is a creativity hub and think tank based in Budapest, active since 2010. The organization focuses on performing arts, international cooperation, and socially engaged projects.
-
It works interdisciplinarily, prioritizing collaboration and teamwork over specific artistic formats.
-
It collaborates with around 100 artists, whose ideas inspire Pro Progressione’s projects.
Six pillars of activity:
-
PP Cult: Cultural heritage
-
PP Arts: One-off productions and performances
-
PP Sound: Music projects related to tradition and community building
-
PP Social: Socially engaged artistic practices, including the DemArt project
-
PP Green: Art in the context of environmental protection
-
PP Plus: Development of methodologies for the cultural and creative sectors (project management, communication)
2. Mission and Values of the Organization
Social Change as a Priority:
Pro Progressione sees the cultural sector as a key driver of social transformation.
-
The organization avoids labeling change as “positive,” believing that its value should be defined by the communities involved.
-
Artists are seen as visionaries, shaping dreams and ideas that can inspire societal change.
Professionalism and Ethics:
-
The organization’s team includes 18 cultural project management experts guided by ethical principles and environmental responsibility.
-
Since 2010, Pro Progressione has implemented over 20 international projects.
3. Funding Systems and Their Importance
Creative Europe:
The most important EU program supporting international artistic projects, with two main objectives:
-
International production and circulation of art
-
Innovation and new methodologies (e.g., DemArt)
It funds projects of various sizes: from €200,000 (small scale) to €1 million (large scale).
Project Examples:
-
DemArt: Developing a new methodology for art commissioning with community involvement
-
What’SAP: Social projects with marginalized groups, including Roma youth in Hungary
Erasmus+:
A program that supports education, training, and mobility.
-
Projects focus on knowledge exchange and developing innovative methodologies, such as:
-
Academy for Actors of Civil Change: Using art in work with disadvantaged youth
-
Folk_ME: Music education through technology and traditional folk music
-
4. Key Projects and Their Implementation
What’SAP (What are Socially Engaged Art Practices?):
A two-year project funded by Creative Europe.
-
It involved Roma youth in northeast Hungary and other marginalized groups across Europe.
-
Included workshops, knowledge exchanges, and collaboration with local organizations like Indahouse.
Key takeaway: Long-term cooperation with target groups is more effective when supported by strategic funding.
Folk_ME (Folk Music Education for Future Generations):
An innovative project aimed at modernizing traditional music education.
-
Partners included the Sibelius Academy and the Lviv National Music Academy.
-
Main outcomes: Development of digital tools for music learning and preservation of folk traditions.
5. Advice for International Project Creators
Most important steps:
-
Build a clear narrative: Define your project’s purpose and its significance for both local and European communities.
-
Choose the right partners: Work with reliable organizations and artists you can collaborate with long-term.
-
Prepare for the long haul: From concept to implementation, a project can take several years.
What to avoid:
-
Creating projects solely to get funding
-
Taking on tasks beyond your organization’s capacity
6. Reflections and the Future of Artistic Projects
Barna Petrányi emphasized that the authenticity of a project and its potential for social impact are always most important.
Art can serve as an educational tool and a catalyst for transformation, but only if it genuinely addresses the real needs of communities and involves them directly in the creative process.
