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CNoL-off: up and away!

  • cultuurnetwerkleuven
  • Feb 13
  • 3 min read

On January 22nd, the cultural sector of Leuven came together in Cas-co to get to know CNoL (the new Culture Network of Leuven). We heard a wish for CNoL, brought by various players from the field, got a general presentation about the values of the network and got to work on statements about the cultural network ourselves. Finally, Open Creatives Leuven was also presented, the new platform for the Leuven cultural sector. During the session, everyone had the opportunity to write down their wishes for CNoL.



"I hope that CNoL will get many friends and children. That it may flourish and grow. That many new connections will be created that will lead to new initiatives and more involvement. And thus to more and better life in Leuven."


Workshops


During the launch we worked on a number of statements about CNoL. The following emerged:


  • The role of CNoL should focus on facilitating consultation, without initiating everything itself. There is a fear that smaller associations will fall by the wayside, because the new structure seems less accessible than the former district councils. There is a need for a flexible system in which needs come from the sector itself, but where CNoL as coordinator continues to call for action and stimulates networking.


  • CNoL must actively engage in the start-up phase to establish connections and reach new audiences, but in the long term it must primarily facilitate and support. The balance between what CNoL does and what remains the responsibility of the city must be further elaborated.

  • Networking opportunities and knowledge exchange remain crucial, especially now that the district councils are disappearing.


  • CNoL can pass on signals from the sector and bring people together, without having to take too much action itself. Success lies in a balance between facilitating, detecting and connecting, with a self-reliant sector as the goal.


Would you like to give your opinion about CNoL and/or the theses? You can do so here: https://forms.gle/JDGMUKWcMqq7pVWy8


“I hope that CNoL can effectively bring people and organizations together and build a warm community where we can learn from and inspire each other.”


Open Creatives Leuven


The new platform for the cultural sector has been launched! Everyone who contributes to the cultural life of Leuven will be included in an online, up-to-date and organically growing database: Open Creatives. You will find the various cultural actors in Leuven, a growing overview of spaces that you can rent, a central place for opportunities, subsidies and calls and events for the sector. Haven't you registered yet? Hurry to: https://www.cnol.be/opencreativesleuven


Are you experiencing difficulties? Is it unclear how to register? Come to the open office day on February 25 from 11:00 to 17:00 in the LOV-shack (Rijschoolstraat 4, 3000 Leuven, opposite Expo Leuven). Or let us know via info@cnol.be . We will help you further!


Next steps


This year, we need to work together as a sector to ensure that everyone who contributes to cultural life in Leuven is part of the network and also on Open Creatives. Do you think of people for whom this is relevant? Then be sure to forward the website or come and get a card at the LOV shack to pass on to your network.


Steering Committee: CNoL has officially launched and is issuing an open call for a steering committee of maximum 8 members. We are looking for committed people who want to shape the future of the network together with us, based on a balanced representation of sectors, actors and organisations. The open call can be found on the Open Creatives Leuven platform; or here:





Save the date : our next sector gathering will take place on April 24th and here we will dive into Leuven's candidacy for European Capital of Culture: LOV2030. Expect a clear explanation and overview of the plans, moments to give input and a collective closing with networking moment.



"I hope that CNoL will not become a top-down organization and will mainly connect and provide support. Ideally, CNoL will not only be for polished organizations, but also for those that are a bit rawer."


"I hope that CNoL can be a place where all sectors can have a voice. A place to share expertise, inspire and initiate space for co-creation."


“I hope CNoL can come to life and flourish.”


Always & forever,





 
 
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