Description of organisation

Trans Europe Halles (TEH) is a Europe-based network of cultural centres initiated by citizens and artists. Our mission is to facilitate the sustainable development of civil-society initiated cultural and creative organisations based in repurposed spaces, by connecting and supporting them. Our vision is that everyone thrives in an equal, free and inclusive society where culture, arts and creativity have a transformative power. TEH has been at the forefront of re-purposing Europe’s industrial buildings for arts, culture and activism since 1983. As of 2021, TEH has brought together nearly 130 multidisciplinary cultural centres and other cultural organisations from 36 countries across Europe. We facilitate international cooperation, provide opportunities for learning and sharing, and promote the practice, impact and value of arts and culture.

Our three founding pillars are: People, Arts and Buildings:

PEOPLE: People are at the heart of our network. People are both the driving force of our centres and their primary focus. We work hard for the benefit of our communities. Our ultimate goal is to build a society where all people can thrive.
BUILDINGS: Buildings are our micro-universes. We transform abandoned buildings with creativity and imagination into places where anything can happen. We use arts and culture to create spaces where people can have fun, feel empowered and get inspired.
ARTS: We believe in the power of arts and culture to change the world for the better. We use art to transform the reality around us and our perception of it.

Our key objectives are:

1. To build a strong supporting structure of exchange and collaboration for member institutions.
2. To advocate and promote the importance and value of cultural centres initiated by citizens and artists as open spaces for creation.
3. To establish Trans Europe Halles as a leading organisation for providing professional development and international exchange in the cultural sector.
4. To establish Trans Europe Halles as a vital reference for non-governmental cultural centres in the international cultural sector.

Our members are key drivers of democratic development, active citizenship and participation in the arts. They also bring together artists, cultural and creative industries, social and educational organisations in open and creative spaces that spur innovation and development. With an entrepreneurial mindset they explore new business- and governance models and develop partnership with both the private and public sector. For us, the power of arts and culture is in inspirational, transformative experiences that have the capacity to change people, perceptions and societies.

For us, the power of arts and culture is in inspirational, transformative experiences that have the capacity to change people, perceptions and societies. For our volunteering activities, we will collaborate with Mejeriet, a cultural centre - also a TEH member- primarily focused on youth events but strives to be a meeting place for all generations, hosting both amateur and
professional performers.