As globalization and digitalization continue to shrink the world, community life for both individuals and societies is gradually becoming an art due to the ever-expanding array of options and the diversification of pluralistic values and norms. The ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis are emblematic of the tasks of a society in transition and serve as a catalyst for the relevance of informal education, competency acquisition, and virtual spaces for encounters, teaching, and learning.

For this reason, NamaStay – Social Justice Lab e.V. and Fernblick GmbH from Germany, AlphaZTL Compagnia d’Arte Dinamica and TenRock Teatro Circo from Italy, Popolomondo from Portugal, and Fundación Escuela de Solidaridad from Spain have united under the project initiative “Embodiment Digital: Mind the Gap – Art as a Sealant in Times of Social Distancing.” Their aim is to establish a cross-disciplinary platform for co-production, exchange, and discourse through a virtual and physical “creative residence.” By transnationally linking stakeholders in the field of socio-culture with professional base organizations in the cultural and creative sectors, innovative approaches and creative avenues are being explored to address current and future challenges that significantly impact the lives of individuals, particularly in the realm of arts and culture, as well as marginalized populations.

The project’s title, “Mind the Gap,” reflects its objective to serve as an alternative complement, employing the principle of “helping oneself” to fill the gaps left by current government aid measures. Furthermore, by harnessing the potential opportunities created by the crisis, a paradigm shift is set in motion, investigating the seemingly paradoxical question of what possibilities emerged through the lockdown.

With the overarching goal of conceptually and practically establishing a comprehensive understanding of Cultural Education as an umbrella term, especially concerning the social and political dimensions of an extended, multidimensional concept of culture, a total of six mixed mobilities are conducted alongside transnational project meetings to plan and implement these endeavors. These mobilities seamlessly combine virtual and physical activities and are framed by online training offerings and “virtual campfire events.” During the physical mobility, a multitude of theoretical and practical learning opportunities will take place, each with distinct thematic focuses. These encompass physical practices such as intercultural dance and circus pedagogy, participatory art, media aesthetics, digital art, media design, upcycling, and professional event management.

Methodologically, the activities are based on a Pillars-Phases Model, fostering both horizontal and vertical coherence. The amalgamation of diverse backgrounds, profiles, specific knowledge, skills, and individual problem-solving strategies in the context of the current crisis aims to enable self-help and contribute to a stronger European consciousness. It serves as an inspirational source for innovations within their local environments. Collective solutions in the form of media-driven spaces and flexible pop-up formats aim to enhance the resilience of cultural and creative industries sustainably. This is achieved by empowering actors to adapt physical components flexibly in response to contact restrictions or hygiene measures.

Beyond content exchange and networking, the project’s objective is to strengthen the digital competencies of all participating organizations. Building on the momentum of recent months, the project practically aligns with the EU Commission’s action plan for digital education and works against digital inequality. Furthermore, the project seeks to enable amateur performers to operate in professional contexts through a repertoire of media aesthetics. This not only facilitates access to professional artistic education for disadvantaged populations but also advances the professionalization of socio-cultural fields of action. Conversely, the socio-cultural component in the context of professional artists and cultural producers contributes to expanding their realm of action and enhancing awareness of the social, political, and educational dimensions of their work.