Zinc Shower
The Iberian peninsula is the third largest European peninsula, made up of Spain and Portugal, it has a population of 56 million. Both countries have been severely affected by the economic crisis with significant drops in both public and private funding being felt across the creative and cultural sectors. However, each country has began to turn to a grassroots movement, with local communities and creative hubs forming the backbone of change in each region.
Both countries are seeking new ways to understand, support and develop the cultural and creative sectors. While Spain has experienced a 70% reduction in its culture budget over the past four years, Portugal remains without a national policy for the creative industries and holds limited information on its sector.
Working with our colleagues in British Council Portugal and British Council Spain, we are developing a programme which focusses on their creative capital, on the importance of hubs in kickstarting the economy and the necessity of driving a collective sense to overcome economic problems together, not only in Iberia but also across Europe.
7 Organisations/people to follow:
Kwamecorp, (@kwamecorp) is a global innovation and incubation agency, with one of its bases being nestled in Lisbon. Besides its commercial activities, Kwamecorp is also involved in social projects while growing and investing in businesses that promote a more creative, transparent and open society.
ColorADD®, (@colorADDApp) has a mission to facilitate colour identification for colour blindness, while contributing to the improvement of social integration, welfare and communications.
Bagabaga Studios, (@bagabagastudios) is a Portugal-based co-op working across state of the art digital media production, training and research. Funded by the Lisbon Architectural Triennial award Crisis Buster grant programme, their interactive web documentary 'Mundo Mouraria' is a voyage through the most international of Lisbon's quarters.
ADDICT, (@addict_pt) promotes the development of the creative industries by researching, informing and co-ordinating the sector.
Zinc Shower, (@zincshower) is a unique and transforming event in Madrid which gathers together more than 6000 participants (entrepreneurs, professionals, students, investors, institutions, companies and the media) to support innovation, collaboration, training, fianancing and entrepreneurship in the creative and cultural industries.
Factoría Cultural, (@Factoriamadrid) is a creative incubator and hub, promoting the development of entrepreneurial initiatives across technology, communication and the arts.
AITEX , (@aitex_es) is currently the leading centre for research, innovation and advanced technical services available to textile, manufacturing and textile sectors in Spain. The institute promotes the introduction of new and emerging technologies by developing R&D projects and contributing to the progression of the sector.