POPBOARD NRW PROJECT FOCUS
Pop is hustle and bustle, it just doesn’t stand still. And yet the PopBoard has taken on the task of representing pop in NRW. To do this, we must constantly determine what pop wants here and, above all, where and how. The various projects take care of that. If everyone just kept still, it would be easier, but then it wouldn’t be pop.
Pop in NRW: STATUS QUO
The PopBoard NRW’s first official act was a stocktake. Which structures are where? Who is the contact person for what? Where do we have enough and where is there something missing? All these questions affect rehearsal rooms, clubs, record distributors, music schools, etc. to the same degree. The results can be accessed using an interactive map and, for the first time, they provide an overview of pop in NRW. Up to this point, the job was easy. But now shortcomings must be eliminated, and that’s where the hard work begins.
POP FOR EVERYONE
Pop is inherently colourful, but somehow even pop still has to learn how to achieve more diversity and inclusion. Self-image and reality don’t always match. Why is that? Which barriers do we still need to remove here? The PopBoard NRW wants to help pop be honest and live its open-mindedness consistently. Diversity must not simply be a fashionable topic but must be anchored sustainably, and the will to do so is there in NRW.
Pop Support
Pop needs support and NRW already has a lot to offer in terms of state-wide or local funding. However, this is sometimes confusing and incomplete. And this is why the PopBoard will now, on the one hand, set up a funding advisory service and, on the other hand, would like to be responsible for identifying the gaps in the funding system and, as a pop lobby, convince decision makers to close them.
UNDERSTAND POP
The PopBoard NRW emerged from the pop scene and the pop industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is still work in progress and it has not been an easy path up to this point. Pop is inherently individualistic, anti-authoritarian and very interested in its own freedom. We were created “bottom up” and that is why it is extremely important that the PopBoard remains in regular contact with all pop protagonists in NRW. We will make sure that happens.
POP IN EXCHANGE
Networks are the foundation for sustainable structures in culture. They just need to know about each other and stay in constant communication. The PopBoard NRW stakeholders are already networks themselves and have joined forces. From here on, it is important that these networks function in the regions and are expanded into related arts and subject areas so that a vibrant system is created for NRW. The PopBoard is also on the case here.
Pop Spaces
In North Rhine-Westphalia there are a large number of voluntary initiatives and associations that significantly shape and shape pop culture work and thus make a major contribution to the preservation and diversity of NRW’s pop landscape. In addition to networking and strengthening the live initiatives, the PopBoard NRW would like to use the collaborations to gain insight into the structures, success factors and difficulties of pop culture work in the respective spaces. These findings can then be used to formulate concrete political recommendations for action and follow-up projects to strengthen cultural spaces.
