Draft:RABKO
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| Formation | 1 January 2002 (Brussels Kunstenoverleg) 1 January 2008 (Réseau des Arts à Bruxelles) |
|---|---|
| Type | Partnership |
Region | Brussels-Capital Region |
| Website | https://rabbko.be/ |
Formerly called | RAB/BKO |
RABKO previously RAB/BKO is a Belgian partnership representing arts organisations in Brussels, formed by the trade associations Réseau des Arts à Bruxelles (RAB), which represents the French Community, and Brussels Kunstenoverleg (BKO), which represents the Flemish Community. The partnership was established to unite these two key cultural networks and provide a cohesive voice for professional artistic and cultural organisations in the Brussels-Capital Region.[1]
As both a knowledge centre and a political point of contact on cultural issues, RABKO organises activities focused on pertinent themes within the cultural field. The organisation places particular emphasis on sustainability and solidarity, which are embedded in its work through dedicated initiatives such as SamenDurable and United Solidarity.[1]
History
[edit]In 2000, Brussels was designated European Capital of Culture. Despite artistic successes, the cultural sector faced challenges such as fragmented relations with authorities and internal divisions. To address these, the Brussels Kunstenoverleg (BKO) was founded in 2002 by a group of Dutch-speaking Brussels arts organisations seeking dialogue and cooperation. The following year, Dutch- and French-speaking organisations met during the BrusselSALONbruxellois, which led to the creation of a French-speaking counterpart, the Plate-forme francophone des arts à Bruxelles, evolving into the Réseau des Arts à Bruxelles (RAB) in 2005.[1]
Both organisations initially operated separately but gradually increased collaboration. RAB became involved in the States General of Culture in 2005, and together with BKO, co-initiated the arts weekend BRXLBRAVO, a “bottom-up” event involving around 150 cultural organisations from both language communities, with editions in 2005 and 2007. In 2006, BKO launched Lasso, a platform for cultural participation, which later became independent in 2017. By 2007, 117 Dutch-, French-, and multi-lingual cultural institutions had signed a cooperation agreement, formalising the partnership between RAB and BKO.[1]
In 2008, the networks joined a broader Brussels civil society platform, expanding engagement beyond culture, and played a significant role in the 2009 Culture Plan for Brussels, which outlined 34 challenges and priority actions for the cultural sector.[1]
From 2010 onwards, RAB and BKO translated the Culture Plan’s themes into action, launching working groups focused on interculturality, mapping, artists’ concerns, and cultural programming. They organised conferences on education, infrastructure, ecology, and multilingualism, and in 2012 conducted the Open House event examining artistic laboratories and alternative management. Their membership and partnerships expanded during this period, strengthening political ties and their role as key interlocutors of Brussels’ cultural sector.[1]
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022, RAB and BKO undertook a strategic evaluation of their mission and activities, presenting themselves publicly as one platform named RAB/BKO while remaining legally distinct. The focus shifted to networking around transversal themes and increased solidarity, reinforced by the integration of United Stages in 2023 and collaboration on sustainability initiatives such as the SamenDurable platform. Ahead of the 2024 elections, RABKO published "A red thread for culture", policy recommendations for Brussels culture. Today, with over 160 members, RABKO serves as a dynamic facilitator and political representative within Brussels' cultural ecosystem.[1]
Projects
[edit]SamenDurable
[edit]SamenDurable is a collaborative platform launched by RABKO, Brussels Museums, and La Concertation – Action Culturelle Bruxelloise, in partnership with EventChange and Pulse Transitienetwerk. It supports the Brussels cultural sector in its transition towards sustainability and climate resilience, engaging over 300 organisations in the region. The platform focuses on six key themes: energy, mobility, food, digital transition, financing, and waste management.[2][3]
SamenDurable provides resources such as access to subsidies, individual guidance for sustainable transitions, workshops, thematic working groups, and the sharing of best practices. It also promotes collective actions and public engagement initiatives aimed at embedding sustainability into the cultural sector’s policies and operations.[2][3]
United Solidarity
[edit]United Solidarity is a working group initiated by RABKO to mobilise the Brussels cultural sector in support of migrant rights and social justice. Open to all cultural operators, the platform serves as a space for information exchange, collaborative action, and advocacy. Participants are encouraged to inform themselves on current migration issues, share experiences and best practices, and engage in joint initiatives such as awareness campaigns, cultural events, and fundraising activities.[2][4][5]
Work in Progress
[edit]Work in Progress (WIP) is a training initiative by RABKO designed to support cultural workers in adopting a progressive anti-racist approach. The program consists of interactive sessions that range from general concepts of anti-racism to practical applications within the cultural sector workplace. It is free and open to all, allowing participants to engage in the full cycle or select sessions aligned with their specific needs.[2]
WIP addresses themes such as unconscious biases, stereotypes, and privileges, with a focus on issues relevant to the cultural sector. The training aims to strengthen professionals’ abilities to integrate principles of diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination into their daily work. The first cycle resulted in a digital publication titled Work in Progress, developed in collaboration with Africalia, while the second cycle features a podcast series. The program forms part of the 2023–2029 anti-racism plan of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, responding to a call from the Service Général de l'Éducation Permanente et de la Jeunesse.[2]
References
[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g "Over ons". RABKO (in Dutch). Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Thema's & projecten". RABKO (in Dutch). Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b "Archives des SamenDurable". RABKO (in Dutch). Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ "Archives des United Solidarity". RABKO (in Dutch). Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ "Événements & réseaux pros / Les Brigittines". Les Brigittines (in French). Retrieved May 20, 2025.