Main areas of work related to the Convention:
Workshop intangible heritage Flanders every year realizes laboratory/experimental heritage projects in which civil particpation in heritage themes is the central goal. The focus or theme of these initiatives is always depending on the specific context (partnerships, locality, ... ) and on new challenges in the heritage field or society. Tapis plein this way realised during the 7 past years diverse neigbourhood projects, oral tradition projects, as well as wide travelling workshops and exhibitions UN-TOUCHABLE (2005-2007; on the theme of the UNESCO convention of ICH) and 'Never Enough' (2007-2009; on the phenomenon of collecting as a democratic heritage practice done by thousands of people in Flanders and about). In 2009-2010 our biggest project is Quartier Bricole, an ambitious project setting up shops, workshops, exhibitions, markets, ... all on the theme of 'rooted design' or: contemporary craftmanship with roots in traditional techniques, knowledge and forms.
In 2010 tapis plein vzw is also an active partner in the UNESCO project with FARO and Documentary Arts starting from the photographical and documentary work of Alan Govenar "Visibility, awareness and dialogue", whch was exposured in the UNESCO 'salle des pas perdus' in april 2010. For the Flemishg part of this project tapis plein NGO will be working with lots of partner organizations from Belgium and from Central-Europe (Croatia, Tsjechia) realizing masterclasses, public events, exhibition, etc.
The personnel of tapis plein are masters in art history, ethnography and graphism, and all have educational training above.
Next to the specific projects, tapis plein NGO travels around Flanders in its role as expert center for methodology on active and civic participation, helping and inspiring lots of museums, archives, local policies and more, to make up heritage practices that are participatory and enhancing democratic and community engagement of/for heritage.
Objectives
Workshop intangible heritage Flanders as an organisation inspires and realizes vivid projects concerning cultural heritage and a contemporary approach of our collective intangible heritage. It aims to interact strongly with people in its projects, going to schools, youth centres, diving into the city life or the neighbourhood. Heritage education, diversity and public sensitisation are the most important dimensions in our mission. Workshop intangible heritage Flanders always tries to realize projects in a young, experimental and graphical attractive way so to function as an eye-opener for people who usually aren't involved into heritage themes.
As an acknowledged and subsidied organisation bij the Flemish Government, tapis plein NGO invest its expertise in networks in the professional heritage field as well as spreading heritage methodology in the civil society.
Cooperation
As described above (6), this makes up the very heart of the work of tapis plein NGO. We are in every project and every process of sharing experiences, driven by the principle that heritage is and should be a mirror of our diverse contemporary society and we are always looking for ways in which this spirit of mutual respect and diversity can be encorporated, enhanced and be shared in public initiative.