ACuTe Culture Testbeds for Performing Arts and New Technology

ACuTe is a trend-setting, large-scale European innovation project aiming to revolutionize the way theatre and performing arts are produced and performed with emerging technology and new forms of cultural collaboration and competence development. ACuTe will be delivered via a partnership of 10 theatres and creative centres in Europe (supported by an additional three research partners and one European theatre network organization) from 10 different countries to achieve new approaches and models for testing of new technology leading to audience development, co-creation, and capacity development within performing arts institutions.

With an interdisciplinary approach integrating digital technology and co-creation methodologies, a new type of ‘culture testbed’ will be created. Specifically, these testbeds will lead to the testing and tangible prototyping of new technologies within performing arts productions.

A series of nine (9) experimental theatre productions will be designed, produced, and performed as the core of the testbed outputs.

Activities will also include European level events and content, training seminars, and online and face-to-face activities offered with the partnering institutions, focusing on developing professional capacity in the deep integration of technology in the long-term production process.

Culture testbeds will also enable meaningful communication with and engagement of audiences across Europe and within the European theatre sector. The activities aim to encourage audience development among under-represented audience groups, with outreach and accessibility as key elements of this approach.

To succeed with the overall ambitions, the project also focuses on change management and emphasizes the inclusion of cultural mediation, staff training, and knowledge exchange via workshops. A set of internal training activities and testing collaborations will increase the capabilities for digital technology usage within a cultural, performing arts context.

Project evaluations and (digital) audience development strategies will be shared at conferences, in research blogs, within European theatre networks and help to further contribute to the future viability of audience development in the cultural sector post-COVID-19 among performing arts institutions, policy makers at the EU level.

The project is funded by the European Commission’s Creative Europe 2021–2027 program.

Oulun ammattikorkeakoulu coordinates the project, with participation from ETC European Theatre Convention, Ars Electronica, Schauspiel Graz, Saxion Hogeschool, Akademie für Theater und Digitalität, SNG Nova Gorica, Det Norske Teatret, De Toneelmakerij, Azkuna Zentroa Alhóndiga Bilbao, EKA Estonian Akademy of Arts, Théâtre de Liege, and Teatrul National Marin Sorescu Craiova.