To our conference in Førde, Norway, 5 July we have chosen the following theme: In with the audience – out with prejudice. The conference is organised as a collaboration between Førde Traditional and World Music Festival and Norsk publikumsutvikling, taking place at the west coast of Norway at a time where artists from all parts of the world meet up for a weekend of folk music.

The conference adresses our traditional way of thinking. We have been using Bourdieu’s distinction theories for 30 years now, and in Norway, the term ‘kulturkjerring’ (‘female culture vulture’) became one of the buzzwords of 2011. We are talking about the die-hard fans and true followers, about the general public and ‘the others’.

This year’s conference in Førde focuses on the composition of the audience. Is it written in stone and immutable? Are people’s education and finances the only factors that decide whether an audience will turn up? Are we reaching out to new groups as the consumption of culture increases? Can we break barriers and welcome more people to the cultural arena?

The Førde Conference 2012 invites artists and decision-makers to share facts and experience about audience participation under the slogan: In with the audience – out with prejudice. The participants include Anne Enger, chair of the Kulturutredningen 2014 committee, which is tasked with identifying important challenges facing arts and culture policy in the years ahead.

In the time leading up to the conference, we will be looking for positive stories about audience development. If you have a suggestion for a case presentation, please contact us by 1 April.

The Førde Conference 2012: In with the audience – out with prejudice
Deadline for submitting proposals for case presentations: 1 April 2012
The conference is organised in collaboration between Førde Traditional and World Music Festival and Norsk publikumsutvikling (Audiences Norway)
Contact person: Harm-Christian Tolden, hct (at) norskpublikumsutvikling.no