17/03/2016 - The eighth edition of the Forum d’Avignon programme will stress the importance of entrepreneurial models for the development of the cultural sector

“Enterprising culture” is the theme of the eighth edition of the International Meetings of the Forum d’Avignon (31 March-1 April), which will, for the first time, take place in Bordeaux, in the prestigious Grand Théâtre.

Several areas dominate the panels at this year’s event: a reflection on entrepreneurial models for the mobilisation of creative talents, the connection between data and culture, and the European tax system on cultural matters and intellectual property in the context of the EU Digital Single Market.

In addition, at its 2016 edition the Forum will present a Cultural Start-up Award for the first time ever. The jury is composed of well-known figures from the cultural, creative and innovation sectors, and is chaired by Véronique Morali, president of the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, president of Fimalac Development and CEO of Webedia.

The meeting will be attended by leading figures in politics, business, culture and academia.  Among the attendees who have confirmed their participation are Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Günther Oettinger, Cannes Film Festival chairman Pierre Lescure, film director Amos Gitaï, HEC Paris affiliate professor and researcher at GREGHEC Thomas Paris, Quantic Dream studio managing director and executive producer and SNJV president Guillaume de Fondaumière, and Forum d'Avignon vice-president Axel Ganz.

During the International Meetings, three innovative proposals by major consulting firms will be presented: “Which intellectual property for the era of digitally native formats and the EU Single Market?” and “Culture and taxation: For a conquering European harmony”, both prepared by EY, and “Data and curation algorithms: How can companies and institutions in the cultural and creative sectors take the shift to data?”, prepared by L’Atelier BNP Paribas.

Forum d’Avignon president Hervé Digne said, “By locating culture within its economic and social context, the International Meetings of the Forum d’Avignon are creating a passionate dialogue between creators, startuppers and decision makers.”

Alongside the debates, there will be many artistic activities, such as a Yael Naim concert, live sketching by cartoonists from Cartooning for Peace and a performance by the Pygmalion ensemble. You can view the entire programme here.

The Forum d’Avignon has been organised since 2007. This think tank and international meeting place for culture is creating a space for dialogue on an international level between artists, CEOs and politicians, in order to come up with innovative proposals for the sustainable development of the cultural sector.