Cultural Compass to focus on wellbeing in culture sector

ERR will broadcast live from the Cultural Compass forum “How to create culture with care?”, taking place on September 15 at the University of Tartu library. The event will focus on the wellbeing and self-care of cultural organisers and creative professionals, accessibility and environmental sustainability.

Event organiser Kristiina Avik said the cultural sector talks about sustainability every day, while care has received less attention.

“Cultural management is not only about an artistically high-quality programme, international reach and environmental sustainability. More important than that is the person themselves. We need to talk more about how to support the people who create culture and organise events,” Avik said.

She said the latest survey of the cultural sector in Tartu and southern Estonia also showed widespread burnout. More than half of Tartu’s cultural organisers have experienced burnout, she said, raising questions about how culture can be truly sustainable if its creators become exhausted.

The forum will have three thematic sections covering accessibility, environmental sustainability and mental health. Cultural organisers, experts and creative professionals will share their experience and knowledge through 15-minute presentations and longer discussions on how to apply good practices in daily work.

Speakers will include Lee Saarsen, Mari Tuulik, Marii Ingriin Saaremäe, Edmar Tuul, Annikki Aruväli, Katre Kahre, Paap Uspenski, Auris Rätsep, Kelli Seppel, Margit Pokrovski, Tulvo Ilves, Sandra Vill and Kene Vernik. The day will be hosted by Helgur Rosental.

Programme

10.00 Opening remarks

10.15 Lee Saarsen, accessibility specialist at Tartu 2024, will discuss the experience of accessibility at Tartu 2024.

10.30 Mari Tuulik, an accessibility advocacy adviser at the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, will address why and how accessibility should be improved in culture.

10.45 Marii Ingriin Saaremäe, head of administration at Ugala Theatre, will present the cultural institution’s path towards accessibility.

11.00 Edmar Tuul, the initiator and artistic director of the Unity Concert, will share his experience of organising a fully accessible event.

11.15 to 12.00 A discussion titled “Accessibility beyond good intentions: what is actually needed?” will be led by Keiu Virro. Participants will include Edmar Tuul, Annikki Aruväli, Mari Tuulik and representatives of the non-profit organisation Händigäpp, Margit Rosental-Tustit and Kristjan Vällmann.

13.15 Katre Kahre will discuss collecting and measuring environmental data.

13.30 Paap Uspenski will discuss the environmental activities of I Land Sound and the values of its audience.

13.45 Auris Rätsep, the chief organiser of Grillfest, will discuss the importance of using reusable dishes.

14.00 Kelli Seppel, Margit Pokrovski, Paap Uspenski, Auris Rätsep and Tulvo Ilves will take part in a panel discussion on environmentally sustainable cultural management.

15.00 Audiologist and representative of the Estonian Audiological Society Sandra Vill will discuss protecting cultural organisers’ hearing.

15.30 Sleep counsellor and psychologist Kene Vernik will speak about maintaining healthy sleep.

16.00 Kadri Haljas, chief executive of the Estonian Mental Health and Wellbeing Coalition Vatek and a doctor of psychology, will discuss mental health.

16.30 Helgur Rosental will give a summary of the day.