Open calendar
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Goal

Open calendar tool allows all users unhindered access to a shared resources and equal conditions for work and production of programs.

Description of the tool

The main characteristic of the Magacin Cultural Centre in Belgrade is its function through the open calendar model, which means its resources are openly available to everyone. The tool allows the use of space for different activities to many organizations, collectives and individuals, from the fields of art, culture and social activism. Open calendar is an online tool created through the team up platform which helps groups to manage their shared time and resources. This tool allows everyone to enter which space they want to use in which time period; leave personal data - name and contact; and writes a brief description of the activity it performs. The open calendar allows all potential users (no matter whether they have the status of regular or new and occasional users) to have the same rights and conditions to use the space.

Steps of application

The Magacin Cultural Centre is a cultural and social centre and it is a resource managed by the community of users according to the commonly established rules. Magacin is not defined by a rigid programme or curatorial concept, but nourishes and supports a wide range of contemporary creation programmes, as well as socially responsible initiatives that act in the public interest. Magacin has two types of users: regular users and occasional users. Regular Users are all the users (organizations and individuals) that use the space regularly, have direct access to the open calendar, officially agree to the conditions of using the space and participate in the work of the Assembly and the maintenance of the space. Every regular user must have their own account on the Open Calendar and must use it according to the set rules and guidelines, respecting all other regular users and their programmes. New and occasional users can become regular users if they show interest in being involved in the decision-making process through the Assembly. If so, they need to agree to the conditions of use and maintenance of the space, to act in accordance with the values of Magacin, and to be accepted by the User’s Assembly at a regular session. New and occasional users do not have a direct link to the calendar, but through the monthly coordinator (rotating function; a member delegated from the assembly) can schedule as many slots as they need in the maximum period of the next three months. They can get access to the calendar without the possibility to enter or change anything, but to be informed about free appointments without having to check with the coordinator every time. Each calendar entry has the following fields: - Title: the name of the event - Time: Hourly rate - Type of calendar: Space/Room - Name, email & phone contact – name and contact details of the event organizer (required field) - Type of the event: chose from the list of offered (1) public programs; (2) work-production programs; (3) programs intended for a smaller group. Regular users do not have a pre-emptive right to use Magacin. In cases when more people apply for the same date, the type of programme is the priority criterion, in accordance with the following list of priorities: 1. Public programmes – events open to the general public (art events, lectures, public debates and conferences, etc.); with possibility to reserve slots a maximum of 4 months in advance. For Public programs with confirmed international cooperation, it is possible to book slots up to a year in advance. 2. Work-production programmes within which a public event is prepared – rehearsals, artistic research, office work, meetings of organizations and teams, and the like; with possibility to reserve slots a maximum of 2 months in advance, 3. Programmes designed for a smaller group of users (closed events, training sessions and other meetings); with possibility to reserve slots a maximum of 2 months in advance. The spaces, programmes and other resources of Magacin are available in the following areas of activity: - contemporary art and culture - programmes aimed at developing and strengthening the capacities of civil sector organizations, informal groups, individuals and other subjects in the fields of culture, education, young people, media, human rights, social issues, urban development and environment. These areas of activity need to be founded on the values of human freedoms and rights, social diversity, mutual cooperation, solidarity and tolerance, transparency, mutual trust and responsibility. The users’ community does not allow any discrimination, abuse or harassment, based on religion, ethnicity or nationality, race, sex, sexual orientation, financial situation, lifestyle, age, disability, political affiliation or state of health. Any inappropriate behavior towards other members: physical and verbal attacks, intimidation, creating an unpleasant work environment is unacceptable and sanctioned. Since Magacin is a common resource used by a large number of people and organizations, any “privatization” or misappropriation of one or more spaces is impermissible. All the spaces and activities in Magacin are free of charge for users and audiences, so it is not possible to realize programs of a commercial character, i.e., fee-paying activities and programs. Therefore, programs carried out in Magacin are open to everyone, free of charge and should be available as widely as possible. Given the modest resources, Magacin is working on a model that would enable the sharing of time and space in using the resources, maximizing the benefit for all potential users. In this regard, the basic goal of the model is defined as enabling all potential users to have equal conditions of use, equal chances to participate and equality in decision-making.

Background

In June 2007, in the former Nolit publishing house warehouse in the city centre, the Magacin Cultural Centre at 4–8 Kraljevića Marka Street opened as an alternative cultural centre for the preparation and presentation of exhibition, stage, discussion, film, educational and other independent culture programmes. After 13 years, its legal status remains unregulated due to the unfulfilled promises of the city. At the end of 2014, it was ordered by the organizations in the Magacin Cultural Centre to move out and that was the moment when the open calendar was introduced. The main strategy to tackle malicious political decisions and pressure was “open it in order to protect it”. Through a unique model it enabled new forms of cooperation, solidarity and resilience necessary for the transition towards a just and progressive change. This tool created conditions for connecting social and cultural practices and struggles, and initiating the issues of wider significance to the community. The number of users of Magacin has grown rapidly, as a result of: 1) governing the space on the principles of horizontality, democracy and active participation; 2) creating decent working conditions; 3) openness and inclusivity. Magacin is available to hundreds of users on a daily basis through the open calendar model, free of charge. Thanks to the open calendar model, the number of organizations has significantly increased in the past few years, so today it involves more than 100 organizations and informal groups that use the space in the course of a year, there are about 15 activities a day or more than 5,000 a year. In Magacin, numerous programmes of performing arts, contemporary dance, visual arts are carried out; debates, workshops, meetings, residences, film screenings held; scenographies, art works in wood, metal, textiles made, and members of Magacin’s community keep this complex space functional and structurally improve it on their own.

Context of origin

Visual representation

Documentation

https://kcmagacin.org/ Čukić, Iva, Ana Dimitrijević, Lana Gunjić, Luka Knežević Strika, Jelena Mijić, Milica Pekić, Aleksandar Popović and Sanja Radulović (editors and authors). 2019. Magacin: A model for a self-organized center. Belgrade: Association Independent Cultural Scene of Serbia.

Suggestions

for suggestions write to the monthly coordinator: koordinatormagacin@gmail.com

Credits

https://kcmagacin.org/