The culture of design in Cieszyn (PL) Robert Pysz

Field of the BP New way to distribute AV contests New forms to access to financial resources Access to business support Innovative marketing campaign in the AV sector Other: 1.This presentation is focused on culture sector in region. 2.In this practices a production of audiovisuals contents is a support for communication design idea.

Description of the Best Practice Two places, one aim: Cieszyn… „Szara” Gallery (AV and Digital Culture & Art) Cieszyn based „Szara” Gallery is an independent non-commercial venue, being run by the Audiovisual Culture Foundation “Strefa Szarej” (Szara’s Zone). “Szara” is focusing mostly on young artists. The core idea of the gallery is to explore contemporary art from Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic, and to connect artists with cultural institutions. Very important activity of the gallery is to organize music concerts, lectures, workshops and conferences.

Description of the Best Practice Gallery got a multimedial reading room with many publications (including online) about modern Art and culture. “Szara” is also publishing books, catalogues, cd`s, online and media publications. In last year “Szara” had its 10 th anniversary. It is certain that after the decade of hard work, many efforts and great deal of support, “Szara” is finaly an important place on the Polish cultural map.

Description of the Best Practice Zamek Cieszyn (The Cieszyn’s Castle) The name “Zamek Cieszyn” has been in use since 2 years (it was previously called: the Silesia Castle of Art and Enterprise) when it transformed into a centre of research and documentation into material culture and design.

Description of the Best Practice Zamek Cieszyn’s – the attractive location on the Poland-Czech border, close to the most beautiful architectural treasures of Cieszyn Silesia: the 11th- century Romanesque Rotunda of St. Nicholas or the 14th-century Piast Tower, the highest viewing point in Cieszyn.

Description of the Best Practice The Zamek is a great promoter of the idea of Design for All, which involves keeping physical, social and cultural differences in mind. Since 2010 it has been the home of the Professor Michał Oźmin Institute of Design for All and it is the custodian of the EIDD Design for All archive. The Zamek support any ideas which can improve the quality of public space and services.

Description of the Best Practice The design workshops to which they invite experienced design experts from the whole of Europe and the United States enjoy international acclaim. They encourage local businesses to take part in meetings of the Enterprise Club, and members of local government and the media, designers and entrepreneurs from the whole of Poland to take advantage of practical courses and consultations.

Core aims and objectives of the BP This two institutions: strengthen the development of innovative enterprises by exploiting the potential of design demonstrate that design is an effective tool for increasing the competitiveness of businesses, institutions, cities and regions confront new media art from Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic, and to connect artists/designers with cultural institutions and business

Significant operational details „Szara” Gallery projects: 1. Cieszyn, I love you from afar! (smartphones app and QR codes reader to make a world map of city’s friends)

Significant operational details 2. AV Academy – free audio and video workshops for young people (pupils and students makes some films and CD records with professional DJ’s or VJ’s)

Significant operational details 3. Interactively. The Internet as a tool to promote NGOs mission

Significant operational details 1. Summer school of design (workshops with professors/designers from Poland, whole of Europe and the US) Zamek Cieszyn’s projects:

Significant operational details 2. Silesian Design Cluster EU project (Cieszyn's Castle is an animator of a cluster) that combines innovative companies, scientists and designers. Design as a useful tool to stand out in the market, improve the management and reduce costs; strategic objectives: to encourage the creation of new innovative products and companies and the development of partnerships for innovation

Funding of BP The projects were carried out in Civic Initiatives Fund (governmental long-term program) “Orange Academy” by Telecommunications Corporation Orange Poland European Social Fund

Which new technologies…? e.g.: dedicated smartphones app works by using QR codes reader and smartphones or PC geolocation data (with “MobileMS. Information and Navigation Systems” support) The whole world loves Cieszyn!

Which new technologies…? e.g.: hardware and software MIDI controllers which generates or mixes music and video art (with “Orange Academy” by Telecommunications Corporation Orange Poland support) free and commercial apps in promote NGOs goals and activities

Transferable elements general frameworks of the projects iintensification of knowledge and know-how transfer in region consolidation international partnership in European Regions (e.g. in Cieszyn – between Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic)

Innovative elements of the BP mapping real resources available in region and European Region (Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic) promote a design (= communication design, including digital/AV forms and data) as an effective tool for increasing the competitiveness of businesses, culture, researches, institutions, cities or region

Innovative elements of the BP consequent evidence of events and workshops (online publishing audio/video files) as a local repository of good practices

Evidence of success building regional and international links for 8-10 years Zamek Cieszyn real and effective collaboration with design experts from the whole of Europe and US in Triple Helix approach „Szara” Gallery hosted: plenty of interdisciplinary events along with around 100 individual and joint artists exhibitions over 300 artists and people from the world of Polish, Slovakian and Czech art

Contact data ul. Srebrna 1, Cieszyn phone: website – Ul. Zamkowa 3 a, b, c Cieszyn, Poland phone: website –