Are you working in the performing arts or cultural sector?
Are you interested in how high-quality performing arts can reach rural and geographically remote communities?
Would you like to learn about inspiring rural touring practices and cultural cooperation models from across Europe?
Then the SPARSE Plus Celebrating Conference is for you!
Over the past years, the SPARSE Plus project has brought together cultural organisations, artists, promoters, researchers, and local communities from across Europe to strengthen access to performing arts in rural and underserved areas.
The conference will present the project’s results, experiences, and research findings, while opening a discussion on the future of rural culture, international touring, community engagement, and sustainable European cooperation.
Join the conversation and help shape a more connected, inclusive, and accessible cultural future for rural Europe.
SAVE THE DATE!
Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Venue: University of Miskolc Library, 1 Egyetem Street, Miskolc-Egyetemváros, H-3515
Language: English
Participation is free, but registration will be required.
Please register here by 23 September 2026. (Places are limited.)
The conference is recommended for artists, cultural organisers, festival curators, community leaders, policymakers, researchers and everyone interested in rural cultural development, audience engagement and international cultural cooperation.
Programme
Thursday, 24 September 2026
9:30–10:00 Registration and welcome coffee
10:00–12:30 Morning Session – Celebrating SPARSE Plus
10:00–11:00 Opening Session and Welcome Addresses
Welcome remarks from:
- Barna Petrányi, Managing Director, Pro Progressione (HU)
- József Tóth-Szántai, Mayor of Miskolc
- Prof. Dr. Zita Horváth, Rector, University of Miskolc
- Gábor Mondik, Creative Europe Desk Hungary
- Balázs Simon, Festival Director, TeatRom Festival – Cultural work in rural Borsod
11:00–12:30 SPARSE Plus Results and Achievements
- Project overview and celebration of results – Associazione Marchigiana Attività Teatrali (IT), Nova Sit (CZ)
- International Touring Programme – SA Eesti Tantsuagentuur (EST)
- Rural Promoter and Artist Mentoring Programme – Take Art (UK)
- Developing the SPARSE Network
- Communication and Dissemination – Associazione Marchigiana Attività Teatrali (IT)
- Research presentation: Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Performing Arts – Nova Sit (CZ), Charles University, Prague (CZ)
12:30–13:30 Networking lunch
13:30–15:00 Rural Experiences – Stories from the Field
Presentations and case studies exploring cultural work in rural communities:
- Community-building experiences from rural Hungary – Pro Progressione (HU)
- Transcultural theatre experiences within the SPARSE programme – SINUM (HU)
- Experiences of successful local engagement and audience development – Teatro 4Garoupas (D), Nova Sit (CZ), Art Fraction Foundation (PL)
15:00–15:30 Coffee break and networking
15:30–17:00 Research Findings and the Future of the SPARSE Network
- Results of SPARSE Plus surveys – Take Art (UK)
- Future directions of the SPARSE Network
- Introduction of potential new partners
- Roundtable discussion and audience Q&A – Take Art (UK)
17:00–17:30 Closing – Pro Progressione (HU)
The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme.
The event will be recorded and photographed. The data will be used for information purposes, dissemination of results, and promotion of the project.
Learn more about the SPARSE Plus project: https://www.sparse.eu/
SA Eesti Tantsuagentuur (EST)
Artists Group Fish Eye (LT)
Nova Sit (CZ)
Shoshin Theatre (RO)
Fondazione Toscana Spettacolo (IT)
Pro Progressione (HU)
SINUM (HU)
Teatro 4Garoupas (D)
Riksteatern Varmland (SWE)
Art Fraction Foundation (PL)
Centrum umeleckých aktivít (SK)
Vestland County Council (N)
Take Art (UK)
SPARSE Plus is a project co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.The opinions and statements contained herein reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.