Ponto de Cultura - Manchester

What is a 'Ponto de Cultura'?


A Ponto de Cultura or 'bridge of culture' is a cultural hotspot. 
A ponto can be about anything, determined by the needs of the autonomous group who create it - - some are hip hop Pontos, some are about recycling, some are radio stations, some focus solely on music technology or film production.  A main thing about a Ponto de Cultura is that the way it works and the way it distributes the cultural practices of its members is autonomous.  We have several short films which outline the many varied functions of Pontos de Culturas.  These go into depth as to the dynamics and thinking behind the increasing global network of cultural sharing.

Pontos de Culturas are recognised and supported by the Brasilian Ministry of Culture, who provide expert technical support and the framework, but activities are designated by the local hub.  There are 600 Pontos in Brasil and other countries in South America, Europe and Africa are now joining the initiative.  Pontos have been proven to be an effective tool in lowering gang crime, raising employment and education levels

The creation of a Ponto de Cultura in Manchester would mark the first locally run UK hub.  The European Parliament are supportive of the creation of Pontos de Culturas in Europe. Manchester and Rome have already pledged to be partners, and the dialogue is opening with other member states.

A key aspect of the function of Pontos de Culturas is that they utilise Open Source Technology. Open source technology is fast being recognised as the preferred system for social, cultural and Third Sector practices on a global level.  Brasil being regarded by many as the most forward thinking country for its involvement of local communities in learning to use the software and to disseminate culture using Open Source.  The Pontos de Cultura have a project called Cultura Digital which sums up this aspect of Ponto life.  Cultura Digital uses the Estudio Livre multimedia toolkit, which comprises the hardware and software for broadcast, editing, music and film production.

Key questions:

Why have a Ponto de Cultura in Manchester?

•    International community
•    Free training in Open Source
•    Dissemination of culture
•    Promising youth initiatives    -youth-led - WE ARE ASKING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE INVOLVED TO GET IN TOUCH - contact                vickysinclair@gmail.com    or log in to www.zionarts.com   - - we have started to develop a youth panel and this will be a panel that              communicates  with other groups - nationally and internationally - - The Youth-led scheme comprising radio, video,  dance, visual                     arts  production AND  BROADCAST begins with the Gener8 Something Scheme (see link) The talented volunteers are going to help with            the delivery of the summer scheme, and will be a main creative force in the Generate Festival, Ponto de Cultura, Manchester and                     NOIZ  Radio (Youth-led radio station)
•    Reinforces green thinking about technology – open source uses up less space than Windows and therefore can run on old computers
•    Free knowledge transfer – valuable educational tools and resources up and down loaded

How could we go about creating a Ponto de Cultura in Manchester?

•    Central hub
•    Satellites hubs in the boroughs
•    Youth led hub at Zion Arts
•    Developing on existing ties with the Sao Paulo Cultura Digital hub, and more importantly with our strategic partners in Salvador
We are also working with Bricolabs experts in the field of development and innovation.  Please follow our links sections for information on what Bricolabs are, and why they are helpful for the world and its many communities.

If so, when would it happen?

•    Further theoretical discussions at Social Technologies Summit
Futuresonic – 10th to 12th May – these were successful – we have now got committed experts, youth, practitioners etc etc on board, with an infra structure to launch in Manchester soon  -Plymouth, Stoke-on-Trent and Bristol are all keenly communicating with us too, and they hope to launch their own Pontos
•    Youth training begins as part of Generate Summer Scheme at Zion Arts Centre  -being implemented at the moment
•    Public launch and workshops at Generate Festival 7th to 9th September in Hulme Park and Zion Centre (link-ups to Brasilian Pontos and artists from Salvador present)
•    Official activity starts September 07 as a pilot,  in communication with partners in Rome and Brasil.
   

Where would it be?

•    Central hub proposal of 24 Lever Street and/or CSV Media
•    We are looking for hotspot areas – youth centres etc in the different boroughs to host the satellite mini-hubs –some have already been identified eg Gallery Oldham with Meninos de Morumbi will be the Oldham hub
•    Youth hub with multimedia drop in zone and internet radio station at Zion Centre

And then what?

•    We will be putting in for European Union and UNESCO funding in conjunction with our European partners, namely the Rome Ponto, for longterm sustainability
•    If the mini-hubs in the boroughs are deemed a success and in demand there is scope for autonomous Pontos to emerge there