Cultural institutions around the world face important new challenges to their financial sustainability, their organizational structures and their social relevance. This is especially true in Russia and the countries of Eastern Europe. While the political and social changes in each of these countries have differed, the effects of economic liberalization in its many forms have fundamentally altered the context in which these cultural institutions operate.

As cultural institutions - broadly defined as institutions devoted to the visual and performing arts or to cultural heritage and history, as well as related governmental entities - confront these deep political, economic and social changes, issues of leadership and governance take on additional significance. Whether faced with questions of audience, mission or sustainability, the preparation of leaders within such institutions to face the challenges and uncertainties of transition may be of critical importance as organizations struggle to orient themselves in the midst of dramatic change.

This is the first of two Salzburg Seminar sessions devoted to the theme, "Cultural Institutions in Transition: Making the Case for Culture", and will focus on transitions in cultural institutions in Russia. The second session (March 24-28, 2004) will examine such transitions in Eastern Europe. Approximately thirty participants will gather to address approaches to long-term development in the cultural sector, tools for adaptive leadership, and strategies for cultural advocacy in Russia.

Participation is by invitation only.

For more information about these sessions, please contact Dr. Matt T. Reed, Program Director (mreed@salzburgseminar.org).