The “Linha de Encontro” Capacity-Building Programme, led by Évora_27 in partnership with CIMAC, is launching a new cycle, featuring thematic sessions aimed at the artistic and cultural sector of the Alentejo.

The programme is intended for cultural agents based in the Alentejo — artists, cultural organisations, technicians and other sector professionals — fostering greater cohesion and collaboration among them.

Depending on the number of places available in each session, the type of training (theoretical, practical, laboratory-based), and the capacity of each venue, priority will be given to cultural agents based in Central Alentejo, CIMAC’s area of intervention. Applicants from other sub-regions will be admitted in order of registration and subject to venue capacity and/or participation limits defined by the trainers and the training format.

This cycle of sessions seeks to strengthen and build capacity within the cultural sector, helping it become better equipped to respond to social and environmental challenges, more cohesive, better informed, technically stronger, and truly inclusive.

In particular, the initiative aims to support the implementation of projects selected through the Évora_27 open call “A Nossa Vez”, the results of which will be announced in March 2026, as well as the development of new cultural projects within the framework of Évora_27 or other national and European programmes.

The thematic sessions of “Linha de Encontro” will take place between March and December, lasting half a day or a full day, and will be held on a rotating basis across various municipalities.

Participation is free of charge, subject to registration for each individual session.
A certificate of participation will be issued for each session attended.
The registration form will be available in the section corresponding to each session on this page (below).

July 4
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Trainer: Maria Vlachou
Location: Évora (Convent of São Bento de Cástris)
Registration:AVAILABLE HERE

MARIA VLACHOU:

Maria Vlachou is a Cultural Management and Communication consultant. She is a founding member and Executive Director of the association Acesso Cultura. She is the author of the books “What Does This Have to Do with Us? The Political Role of Cultural Organizations” (Tigre de Papel, 2022) and “Musing on Culture: Management, Communications and Our Relationship with People” (Bypass Editions, 2013), as well as the blog Musing on Culture, where she writes about culture, cultural management and communication, audiences, and access.

In production and management, she has worked with Companhia Clara Andermatt, Granular, casaBranca, Companhia Caótica, O Rumo do Fumo, DuplaCena, and projects by various artists and organizations. She was an assistant to Paulo Ribeiro in the Direction and Production of the Casa da Dança project in Almada (2019–20), and continued collaborating with the subsequent artistic direction of Adriana Grechi and Amaury Cacciacarro. Since 2024, she has been co-artistic director of the annual Temps d’Images festival.

She was Head of Communications at São Luiz Municipal Theatre (2006–2012) and Communications Manager at Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Ciência Viva (2001–2006). She served on the governing bodies of ICOM Portugal (2005–2014) and edited its newsletter. She has been a consultant to the Arpad Szenes – Vieira da Silva Museum and the Portuguese Navy Cultural Commission. She collaborated with the Descobrir and Próximo Futuro programmes of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. She is a Fellow and member of ISPA – International Society for the Performing Arts (2018, 2020). She is an alumna of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, 2011–2013); holds a Master’s degree in Museology from University College London (1994), where she completed internships at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and the Natural History Museum; and earned a degree in History and Archaeology from the University of Ioannina (1992).

PROGRAMME:

According to the Plain Language Association International, communication is considered plain language when its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience can easily find what they are looking for, understand what they find, and use that information. Therefore, accessible and clear communication requires close collaboration between those responsible for the content and those responsible for presenting it.

Cultural organizations often state that they are open to everyone, but their communication practices frequently tell a different story. Communication mistakes (both visual and written) are common and recurring, preventing non-specialist visitors and audiences of different ages and cultural backgrounds from accessing the content of exhibitions and other communication channels (websites, audio guides, gallery guides, etc.).

Culture and communication professionals, as well as designers, often express frustration over the lack of mutual understanding regarding each party’s role and responsibilities.

In this session, we will: gain a better understanding of the needs and motivations of our visitors and audiences; analyse good and bad communication examples; present basic guidelines for accessible and effective communication; and carry out a practical exercise.

August 29
PROGRAMAR NA BAIXA DENSIDADE: DESAFIOS E POTENCIALIDADES
Facilitator: Luís Sousa Ferreira
Location: Arraiolos (Biblioteca Municipal)
Registrations: available soon

September 12
DIFUSÃO DO TRABALHO ARTÍSTICO A NÍVEL NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL
Facilitator: Cristina Planas Leitão
Location: Redondo (Centro Cultural de Redondo)
Registrations: available soon

October 22
SOLUÇÕES TÉCNICAS PARA EVENTOS SUSTENTÁVEIS
Facilitator: Associação Zero
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registrations: available soon

November 21
MEDIAÇÃO CULTURAL
Facilitator: Lara Soares
Location: Mora (Auditório do Parque de Feiras de Mora)
Registrations: available soon

December 5
DESAFIOS DA CONECTIVIDADE: OS NOVOS MEDIA E FERRAMENTAS DIGITAIS
Facilitator: Caterina Foà
Location: Borba (Auditório do Celeiro da Cultura)
Registrations: available soon

March 14
APOIOS EUROPEUS PARA AS ARTES E CULTURA
Facilitator: Sara Machado (Europa Criativa)
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registrations: CLOSED

April 11
PARCERIAS INTERNACIONAIS: DESENHO E PLANEAMENTO DE PROJETOS, COPRODUÇÃO, MOBILIDADE DE ARTISTAS
Facilitator: Magda Bizarro
Location: Montemor-o-Novo (Auditório da Biblioteca Municipal Almeida Faria)
Registrations: CLOSED

May 16
DESENHO E GESTÃO DE PROJETOS CULTURAIS
Facilitator: Inês Câmara (Mapas das Ideias)
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registrations: CLOSED

June 18
ATIVIDADE PROFISSIONAL NA ÁREA DA CULTURA: FISCALIDADE, SEGURANÇA SOCIAL, RPAC
Trainer: Maria João Garcia
Location: Estremoz (Municipal Library)
Registrations: CLOSED