Espronceda Art and Culture Center in Barcelona

On 23 November 2015, ENCATC organised a special Cultural Happy Hour for 21 guests from ten countries to discover the Espronceda Art and Culture Center in Barcelona.

This new innovative and contemporary space is a platform and multi-disciplinary environment for artists, curators, and everybody else who believes in the importance of art, culture and education. Furthermore, it fosters established and aspiring international artists to develop their work and creativity, and to spread their inspiration beyond their physical stay in the space.

The evening began with an introduction to the Espronceda Center for Art and Culture and to the Arte Laguna Prize by Henrik Sprengel, Holger Sprengel and Elia Sabato, Co-founders, Espronceda. The three founders explained the momentum behind this project, why it was erected in Barcelona, and what’s new about the Centre’s business model.

An international panel discussion followed gathering leading experts, academics and cultural directors from Europe and North America for a lively exchange on “Managing Independent Art Centres: Towards new management, business and leadership models”. Moderated by ENCATC member, Lluís Bonet, Professor at the University of Barcelona, the panel included: Fabio Mongelli, Director of the Rufa Visual Arts University in Rome; Caterina Tomeo, Professor at the Visual Arts University in Rome; Ayal Brenner, CEO of MutualArt and Director of the Artist Pension Trust in the United States, Alejandro Martin, Director of the Alejandro Gallery in Barcelona; Aurélien Le Genissel, Art Manager at the Blueproject Foundation in Barcelona; and Eva Martinez Olalla, Ambassador of Rebirth Project of Michelangelo Pistoletto e Cittadellarte in Italy.