The Basque Government will host the International Forum of Cultural Observatories on November 5th and 6th at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. This event will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Basque Observatory of Culture, bringing together public officials, researchers, professionals, and cultural sector stakeholders to discuss future challenges and the role of knowledge in designing cultural policies.
Under the theme "Observing, Understanding, Projecting," the forum will analyze the role of cultural observatories, the impact of artificial intelligence, and new analysis models. It will also address the public value of culture and cultural rights, covering topics such as social cohesion, inclusion, and territorial development.
“"Observing culture not just to measure what is happening, but to understand a society, its transformations, and what constitutes its identity, and to generate knowledge that allows guiding cultural policies and anticipating future challenges."
The program will be structured around three main axes: cultural observation in a global context; the impact of artificial intelligence and new paradigms of cultural analysis; and the public value of culture and cultural rights. The first day will analyze the role of observatories, while the afternoon will focus on artificial intelligence and data implications. The second day will concentrate on the social value of culture and cultural rights.
The forum will feature broad international participation, including experts such as Pierluigi Sacco, senior advisor at the OECD; Luca Dal Pozzolo, co-founder of the Fitzcarraldo Foundation; and Miren Arzalluz, Director General of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, along with representatives from the Governments of Catalonia, the Canary Islands, and Navarra. Registration is now open, and the full program is available on the Basque Government's website.
