What is ACPAI (CGSG)?

ACPAI (Association of the Contemporary Performing Arts Initiative) is a non-profit, civil initiative that brings together independent artists, theoreticians, instructors, cultural operators and academicians working in the field of contemporary performance so as to trigger a general and comprehensive process of change and transformation in the area of performing arts in Turkey. With the aim of identifying, formulating, planning and implementing projects that will initiate this process, it has been formed as a civil platform in June 2005 and later gained corporate identity status by establishing its own association in August 2007. The Association operates within the domain of culture & arts in general, and in the action areas of cultural management, organization, education, research, publication / criticism, archiving and networking in particular.

Meeting on a periodical basis since 2005, ACPAI aims in the long run at: creating an active and steady breeding ground for itself and for its audience; establishing proper and effective conditions for the production of "works" that investigate new forms of expression and get in touch with the audience; developing and increasing the prevalence of its audience; questioning the contemporary dynamics of its own environment; being visible and making this visibility into a cultural formation; participating at the structuring and implementation processes of cultural policies at a public level; and contributing to the development of civil society.

It is also a strong belief of ACPAI that the current Istanbul-centered concentration tendencies of contemporary arts practices should be disseminated so as to make room for the knowledge, recognition and practice of art forms contemporaneously taking place at different Anatolian cities and provinces as well; and that the existing operative conditions of educational structures in performing arts should immediately be acted upon and revitalized in order to meet the aesthetic requirements of the age.

As a platform that favors and fosters diversity, ACPAI embraces collaborative and cooperative action in a democratic framework, engagement with the society's everyday life & agenda, openness towards change and novelty as its fundamental values. It defines "contemporary performing arts", on the other hand, with reference to works that investigate new and original means of expression, disrupt existing norms and conventions of staging practices, and are of an inter-disciplinary nature.

Projects Accomplished:

• ACPAI Performing Arts Meeting 01: Oyun Atolyesi - Kadikoy (May 2007)
• Drama & Movement Workshops at Beyoglu Municipality's Semt Konaklari (April-June 2007)
• Cultural Contact with Beyoglu Municipality - Towards an Independent Arts Council (2007)

Projects in Progress:

• DirectLink: Networking through the Arts for Intercultural Dialogue (2007 - 2008) / Project Partner
• Arts Education with the Roman Youth (November 2007 - May 2008)
• Independent Network (January - April 2008)

Projects in Near Future:

• AcikAlan ("OpenSpace") @ santralistanbul (2008)
• ACPAI Performing Arts Meetings: Tours in Anatolia (2008 - 2009)

Contact:
Elif Kamisli ekamisli@bilgi.edu.tr
Safak Uysal safak@laboratuar.org
Sule Ates suleates@ttmail.com