CEPEL

ACCR

Scientific background and arguments

Founded in 1973, the Association of Cultural Meeting Centers (ACCR) brings together an international network of around thirty members around a common issue: the dual promotion of a heritage site and an artistic and cultural project.

In France, 21 heritage sites are members of the association. They have been awarded the state label "Cultural Meeting Center." Each center implements a cultural project of general interest based on four priorities:

(5) Develop interdisciplinary initiatives between the fields of heritage and artistic creation;

(6) Support and welcome emerging artistic practices;

(7) Enable the transmission of knowledge and artistic experience to audiences;

(8) Develop innovative forms of cultural tourism and contribute to cultural planning in the region.

As a professional federation serving its members, the ACCR must evolve its missions to take into account the transformations affecting the arts, culture, and society as a whole. It must also take into account the priorities set by the Ministry of Culture, particularly in terms of regional attractiveness , participation in cultural life, training and higher education, tourism, and international relations.

By 2024, the ACCR aims to gain recognition for the breadth of its experience and establish itself as a leading network with specific expertise.

In line with this objective, ACCR has structured its action plan around four key areas:

(5) Network and inter-network coordination (€104,440);

(6) Support activities and skills development ($135,100);

(7) Capitalization of ACCR's experience (€135,534);

(8) Europe and international (€188,286).

It is primarily within the framework of the first priority that an observation mission is being considered in partnership with the CNRS.

Objectives of the partnership

While the association is very active in its observatory, member advisory, monitoring, and forecasting roles, its tools and observation protocol need to be updated. The scientific partnership therefore has the following objectives:

(4) By 2023, develop a new version of the observation protocol and update the indicators produced.

(5) By 2024, conduct a new survey of CCRs following the new observation protocol.

(6) By 2025, publish the results produced.

More broadly, the research aims to lay the groundwork for a permanent observatory of Cultural Encounter Centers by considering three dimensions:

(4) An organizational dimension: establishing a typology of network members; understanding their modes of action and organization; studying their economy and resources; studying their specific ecosystem.

(5) A sociological dimension: describing the sociology of the people running these institutions; analyzing their plans; analyzing the effects of digital technology on the evolution of cultural and artistic practices; understanding the effects of the health crisis on how they operate.

(6) A political dimension : consider the impact of the "Cultural Meeting Center" label awarded by the State; assess the contribution of these organizations to regional public policy; analyze the contemporary challenges facing these actors (economic, climatic, environmental, social, etc.).

Methodology

The research is based on a dual quantitative and qualitative method:

(3) Quantitative component : completion of an online questionnaire to analyze the functioning and operating methods of Cultural Encounters Centers.

(4) Qualitative component : conducting interviews with the managers of Cultural Encounters Centers and their partners (local authorities, political actors, national and regional actors).

Research plan

This study will be organized as follows:

(1) Quantitative study

  • Revision of the online questionnaire and updating of indicators
  • Technical implementation of the new online questionnaire
  • Distribution of questionnaires
  • Treatments and analyses

(2) Qualitative study

  • Development of a maintenance guide
  • Student training
  • Distribution of tasks among students
  • Conducting interviews and observations on site
  • Treatments and analyses

(3) Refunds

  • Writing a report including results, survey protocols, and tools
  • Presentation of results

Research calendar

The study will last 12 months and will be conducted as follows:

(4) Quantitative study: September 2022–June 2023

(5) Qualitative study: September 2022–June 2023

(6) Refunds: September 2023