In Turnhout, a new meeting concept has seen the light of day. ‘POWOW, the art of meeting’ offers companies the opportunity to hold meetings in artists’ studios and other creative spaces. The initiators are Julie Vandenbroucke and Koen Snoeckx, who already have extensive experience in bringing together art and business. They received support from the Strategic Projects Organization Kempen (SPK) and the De Warande Cultural Centre. “If successful, our ambitions are international,” say the pair.
“Studies that scientifically substantiate the value of the connection between art and business are now plentiful. Yet the world of art and creativity remains unknown for many companies, or the threshold to existing offerings is often too high,” notes Julie Vandenbroucke.
Low-threshold
POWOW aims to provide the most accessible entry point possible for companies that want to experience what the world of art and top creatives can mean for the strategy and daily operations of businesses and organisations. And what is more accessible for companies than meetings? POWOW takes on the challenge together with companies and artists to make these meetings more focused, more creative, and therefore more efficient.
About ten creatives have already committed their participation and will welcome companies to their studios or other spaces to hold important meetings. The artist is present to give an inspiring presentation at the beginning and remains available for further engagement. In Turnhout and surrounding areas, theatre director Stefan Perceval (‘t Gevolg), architect Luc Vanhout (AIM, Jozef Schellekens residence), theatre maker Stijn Van de Wiel, and artObe (sculptures, Lille) participate.
Koen Snoeckx, co-initiator: “We firmly believe in the economic and social value of POWOW for the companies involved and for the cultural and creative sector.”
Source: MADE IN KEMPEN