Exchange of artists between Spain and the Netherlands

INTRODUCTION
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E D U A R T E is an exchange project between Spain and the Netherlands in the field of Contemporary art and education. “Art” and “Education” therefore are the two basic elements constituting the objectives of the project. Eduarte was founded in 2007 and is based in Amsterdam with a second office in Salobreña (Granada).

Eduarte manages and endorses on a daily basis a network of professional artists, galeries and public organisations in the fields of culture and education. The project desires to promote the exchange of contemporary art between Spain and the Netherlands and to stimulate exhibitions and presentations in both countries. Eduarte is financed from various sources in a combination of art sales, private sponsoring and formal regional and national subsidies.

In addition to the exhibitions of exchange in both countries, Eduarte stimulates the education on contemporary art by means of workshops for art teachers and by education programmes for youngsters and adults.
In the educational system in Spain, Art is not an official part of the exam-programmes as it is in Dutch secondary schools. In the Netherlands specialisations in different aspects of (the history of) Art can be chosen for the exam. Since the nineties, the policy-sectors of Culture and Education seek collaboration on the national and regional levels of administration in the Netherlands. However, so far there is little collaboration between these administrative sectors in Spain and in its Provinces.
On the other hand, in Spain many municipal governments manage great exhibition halls, a phenomenon that is less encountered as a result of the local policies of Dutch cities.

At the moment about 30 professional artists in both countries participate in Eduarte. In collaboration with 7 municipal councils and 3 galleries in Greater Madrid, Galica and Andalucia, Eduarte is making true 10 exchange programmes in 2008 and 2009.
In February and March 2008, 550 persons visited two exhibitions of Dutch painters in Collado Villalba and Navacerrada (Madrid) and the exhibitions were presented in a mutual catalogue. In October and November 2008 catalogues in Galicia accompanied exhibitions organized in collaboration with the council of Vilagarcia de Arousa and gallery Atlántica, Centro de Arte en La Coruña. In September 2008 Eduarte presented itself with Spanish and Dutch artists in the Open Art Fair, Utrecht.

NEXT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
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A good example of the ideals of Eduarte takes place in March/April 2009 in an exchange programme with the municipal council of Rincón de la Victoria, near Málaga. Three Dutch artists exhibit in the Arab castle of “Bezmiliana” in Rincón and in an antigue station in La Cala del Moral with paintings, sculptures and photos. Shortly after, three artists from Andalucia exhibit in Amsterdam in two locations: Galerie De Opsteker in the city-centre of Amsterdam and in the Village Church of Durgerdam, in the northern part of the city on the IJ-lake.

But it is not only an exchange between exhibition halls of Rincón de la Victoria and Amsterdam. Additional events will be realized with the formal help of the educational system of the region of Axarquía, east of Málaga. This results in educational activities in collabaration with the sectors of art and education, taking place at the time of the exhibitions in Rincón de la Victoria/La Cala del Moral.
The exchange Rincón – Amsterdam, with its artistic and creative initiatives, also wishes to stimulate a social and intercultural dialogue between communities.

All events in 2009 are presented in www.eduarte.eu. Here also a survey of events in 2007 and 2008 can be encountered.