Together with our long-standing partner institution "Lieux Publics - European and National Centre for Creations in Public Space Marseille" - and its director, close friend and companion Pierre Sauvageot, we initiated and prepared the foundation of the European network IN SITU in 2003. Currently, the project, which is continuously funded by the European Commission in seven programme phases, counts 19 partners and 13 associated partners from 20 nations. IN SITU believes in public space as a democratic place where art creates new perspectives, as a place of encounter and diversity, as an agora that can have social impact and create human value, as a stage that reveals artistic creation in direct form. Currently, with "UnCommon Spaces 2020-2024", the IN SITU network is committed not only to supporting innovative productions in public urban space, but also to providing longer-term support for selected artists - the Associated Artists - and their projects on burning issues of the future.

Cooperation with cultural institutions and communities in Styria is an essential and fruitful building block in the history of the La Strada Graz festival, and the festival days in Stainz, Weiz and Seggauberg have already become a tradition. The far-reaching participatory project "Signal am Dachstein" now marks the beginning of a multi-year collaboration with local artists who are rooted in the region and work in a supra-regional and international context. In the coming years, La Strada will accompany such "site-related artists" on their artistic path. The thematic complexes of "climate change, cultural history and regional lifeworlds" will be the focus of closer attention and interdisciplinary exchange. In connection with this, we are making our expertise available as cooperation partners in regionally anchored residencies in cooperation with other cultural initiatives and artists.

Projects that are designed and implemented in close exchange with their environment and with the participation of the population ensure intensity and closeness, the inclusion of very personal experiences and emotions. They touch their audience in a special way that helps to question perspectives, leave comfort zones and deal with very specific issues in a protected space. La Strada Graz has been working continuously for years with local and international artists on the development of such productions and ensures their integration into international networks. It is the examination of complex themes such as cultural identities, the dissolution of borders, urban renewal, social justice or climatic changes around the globe that occupy us together with the artists and experts from various fields of science.

IIN SITU is the European platform for artistic creation in public spaces. Since 2003, it has supported more than 270 artists working outside traditional venues and contributing to the transformation of our environment. IN SITU is an ecosystem that connects a new generation of artists with audiences, programmers and key actors in the economic, political and social realities of Europe. IN SITU is led by Lieux publics, a European and national centre for artistic creation in public space based in Marseille (FR), and brings together 19 partners from 13 countries: Artopolis Association (HU), Atelier 231 (FR), Čtyři Dny / Four Days (CZ), FiraTàrrega (ES), Freedom Festival (UK), Flynn Center for the Performing Arts (USA), La Strada (AT), Lieux publics (FR), Metropolis (DK), Norfolk & Norwich Festival (UK), Oerol Festival (NL), Østfold Internasjonale Teater (NO), Oda Teatri (XK), Provinciaal Domein Dommelhof (BE), Scène Nationale De L'Essonne Agora-Desnos (FR) and a consortium of 4 Italian partners: Zona K, Indisciplinarte, Pergine Festival, Teatro Stabile Di Sardegna. IN SITU also gathers 13 associated partners: Cifas (BE), FAI-AR (FR), Anti Festival (FI), Biela Noc (SK), Bússola (PT), Bildstörung - Festival für darstellende Kunst im öffentlichen Raum (DE), Tombées de la Nuit (FR), Hoooh - Tainan Street Arts (TW), Linhai Art Festival & Start Festival (CN), Seoul Street Arts Festival (KR), Sura Medura (LK), The SPOT Festival (LT). The (UN)COMMON SPACES 2020 - 2024 project is co-financed by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

In a time of social change and considerable processes of transformation across Europe, art must be at the forefront of creating new perspectives. To reshape the cohesion between art and society, more and more artists are leaving conventional spaces and working in public spaces, in direct contact with residents. (UN)COMMON SPACES aims to promote and support developments in this sector on a European level. The project accompanies artists in their development and strives to support them holistically and beyond a production. It is envisaged to support 17 ASSOCIATE ARTISTS and 23 EMERGING ARTISTS.

Reclaim the Spaces: Urban regeneration, place-making, rural development, privatisation of public space.
Reconnect People: Diversity, social justice, cultural identity, social inclusion, intergenerational alliances.
Face the Future: Climate Change, Democracy, Technology & Digital World