The As_Tide project stems from the collaboration of five European centers operating in the field of art and creativity, united by the idea that art and creativity play a fundamental role in the approach to many of the challenges posed by contemporary society.
The project, which has obtained the approval and financial support of the European Commission through the call for papers Cultura 2007-2013, has a duration of two years and officially started in November 2007.

The project has various targets:

– To develop and encourage the use of art and creativity as the means for coping with cultural conflicts, creating a spirit of cooperation through the development of common actions.
– To create a critical mass of artists and cultural operators, working in favor of a responsible transformation of society through intercultural dialogue.
– To promote differences as a source of union and not of conflict.
– To promote cultural differences in the European area as the basis for creating a shared European identity.

In specific terms the project is structured in three levels:

educational: through a four month Multicultural Residency at Cittadellarte open to students, artists, professionals, researchers from all over the world, to train as activators of glocal processes of social transformation and intercultural dialogue.
activational: through four Interdisciplinary Workshops in various parts of Europe, open to around 80 participants including artists, social and cultural workers, intercultural associations, tourism companies and tour operators. The aim of the workshop is to create or implement existing processes of social transformation, offering case studies, experiences and new approaches to the subjects tackled.
communicational: through an Internet site dedicated to the project and a magazine for communicating the principles on which the AS_TIDE NETWORKS project is founded, documenting the activities and the results achieved, as well as to highlight the importance of a network working toward responsible social transformation at world level.
At the end of the project, a presentation event will be held in Brussels.

Working partners:
Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto (Biella-Italy)