Over 30 participants visited important cultural and creative hubs of Latvia in Cēsis, Sigulda and Riga on 5 and 6 September 2017 during the study visit organized by University of Latvia.
The first part of the day of the study visit was dedicated to the medieval Hanseatic city of Cēsis, participants took part to CCI workshop with representatives of Cēsis Town and Vidzeme Region in the Cēsis History and Art Museum.
Participants were welcomed by Ms. Inese Suija-Markova, Deputy Chairperson of the Cēsis City Council; then Ms. Kristīne Skrīvere, Head of the Cēsis History and Art Museum presented Innovative and Creative Practices in the Museum Educational Programmes. The Experience of Vidzeme University of Applied Science in Creativity, Innovation and Technology was illustrated by Mr. Kaspars Osis, Director of the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Knowledge & Technology Centre (ViA ZTC) and Mr. Armands Aivo Astukevics, Lifelong Learning Coordinator at the ViA ZTC. Finally Mr. Matīss Nīmanis, Founder of the Autine Tools, Ltd spoke about Inspiration and Prerequisites for Creativity.
Partners and stakeholders moved from Cēsis castle complex to Vidzeme Concert Hall where had a meeting with Ms. Inese Zagorska, Programme Director who presented the Role of a Unique Multi-Functional Cultural Centre of National and Regional Significance and guided the participants a short walk around the Vidzeme Concert Hall.Then the visit continued in the Culture and creative industries centre (CCI) and CCI co-working space Skola6 where Dita Trapenciere, Head of the “Skola6” presented the activities of the center and accompanied the participants to a guided walk.
The afternoon group members were involved in a BarCamp activity in order to learn how to solve challenges with design thinking method - a creative and collaborative approach to innovating and solving problems that puts people at the centre of the process. The BarCamp was moderated by Signe Adamoviča, CEO of IdeAllies and Partner at Creativity Lab, and Charles Bušmanis, Co-Founder of Design Elevator.
After the BarCamp group spent some time in Sigulda city that has been called the "Switzerland of Vidzeme" to discover the Creative Quarter at the Sigulda Castle Complex and learn how the cultural heritage site can develop to a creative quarter.
Ms. Signe Millere, Project Manager at the Sigulda Business Incubator explained the role of the incubator in the Quarter, while Ms. Līga Sausiņa, Deputy Chairperson, Sigulda City Council described Cultural Heritage Site as a Creative Quarter – From Idea to Action.
On 6 September the study visit continued in Riga in the largest depository of professional art in Latvia and an important place in collecting, preserving and popularizing the cultural values in Latvia and foreign countries - the Latvian National Art Museum (LNMM) that hosted workshop with stakeholders and representatives of CCIs.
Ms. Gunta Miheloviča from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia (Creative Industries Division) –introduced CCI policy development; Ms. Vineta Kreigere, Project Manager of “RaPaPro” described this Creative Partnership Programme for Facilitating Skills of CCI Entrepreneurship Among Youth. Then the Platform for the Creative Industries – FOLD.LV was presented by Ms. Veronika Viļuma while Ms. Liene Pērkone, Head of the Creative Industries Incubator, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) talk about how the incubator supports CCI Start-ups and Companies Development,
The workshop was concluded by the host Ms. Anna Balandina, Head of the LNMM Communications Division describing the creative activities hold in the Museum and finally
Ms. Gunita Kulikovska, Founder and CEO of Vividly explained her job involving creative minds and technological innovations.
Have a look to the photogallery
