The Gobierno Vasco is hosting the Foro Internacional de Observatorios Culturales at the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao. The occasion is the 20th anniversary of the Observatorio Vasco de la Cultura. Professionals from government, research and cultural practice are expected to discuss the role and value of cultural observatories in public policy.
The theme, “Observar, Comprender, Proyectar”, presents observation as more than data collection: culture is to be understood in the context of social transformations, and the knowledge gained used to plan and evaluate cultural policy measures. The programme is divided into three areas: first, observing cultural developments in a global context; second, the influence of artificial intelligence and new analytical paradigms, including their methodological and ethical implications; and third, the public value of culture and the framing of cultural rights.
On 5 November, the morning will focus on the role of observatories as strategic infrastructure for public policy. The afternoon is dedicated to data, algorithms and ethics, including a review entitled “From experience to foresight: 20 years of the Observatorio Vasco de la Cultura”. On 6 November, the programme will focus on the links between culture and cohesion, inclusion, democratic quality and territorial development, as well as the evaluation of cultural policy impacts.
International participation is expected. Those named include Pierluigi Sacco (OECD), Luca Dal Pozzolo (Fondazione Fitzcarraldo) and Jordi Baltà (Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity). From Spain, representatives of cultural institutions such as the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao and Tabakalera and delegations from the governments of the Basque Country, Catalonia, the Canary Islands and Navarre are expected. Contributions from academia and civil society have also been announced. Participants’ attributions, forecasts and assessments are expected at the event; no specific decisions or funding commitments have been announced in advance.
The Observatorio Vasco de la Cultura was founded in 2006. It describes its role as turning data on the cultural landscape of the Basque Country into reliable knowledge, monitoring developments and supporting the planning and evaluation of cultural policy. Registration for the forum is open; places are limited. The event is aimed in particular at people working in cultural administration, research, cultural management, business and organisations in Bilbao’s cultural ecosystem and beyond.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).