With the announcement of the international auditions for the BA Training Program, P.A.R.T.S. is addressing the world and reaching out to new students who want to commit to our school. The triennial auditions are each time a moment of self-reflection for us as an institution: what makes P.A.R.T.S. unique in the dance and art world, what do we want to change, but also: what values do we want to convey?
P.A.R.T.S. is much more than a dance school. It is a place where art, creativity and personal development are central. We believe in the power of contemporary dance as a means of expression, connection and transformation. Our pedagogical programme focuses not only on acquiring technical skills, but also on stimulating intellectual curiosity, developing one's artistic voice and social awareness.
Besides focusing on the artistic, P.A.R.T.S. places great emphasis on the human and social values that connect us as a (dance) community. We stand for collaboration and respect for diversity, both in the art form itself and in the personal backgrounds of our students. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone has the space to be themselves, learn and grow, regardless of origin, identity or background. This is a process in which we learn and adjust daily.
P.A.R.T.S. provides a space where artists can develop into autonomous, independent and responsible makers. We encourage students to look critically at the programme and we also look critically at ourselves. We are a learning institute. In that context, we have to acknowledge that recent world events have challenged us. In the past, as an educational institution, we have chosen not to make public political statements through social media or the website with the idea that we were letting student actions grow and support us from the bottom up. In doing so, we prioritised internal reflection, dialogue and concrete actions in the privacy of our campus or in targeted public contexts. Today, however, we feel that this so-called ‘neutrality’ is untenable and no longer feels right. The current generation of students has rightly pointed this out to us, which is why we are adjusting our approach.
Art in a Changing World
In an era when the world is transforming at an unprecedented speed, we find ourselves in an increasingly complex, multipolar society. Traditional relationships, once taken for granted, are under pressure, as are the democratic structures that have sustained our society for years. The result of the recent US elections puts this on edge.
As artists and educators, we believe art can play a crucial role in holding the world accountable, breaking the silence of indifference, and creating space for dialogue and change. We stand side by side with those calling for a just and peaceful world, where the innocent are not victimised by political interests and where the rights of every human being are respected.
The recent escalations in the Middle East, which, after Gaza, are now spreading to the West Bank, Lebanon and the wider region, raise deep concerns for us. Meanwhile, the sad mark of 1,000 days of war in Ukraine has been reached and there is no prospect of a solution. We want to emphatically reflect on the gravity of the situation.
The spiral of violence that continues to expand deeply affects us. We see systematic human rights violations, the deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid and the explosion of civilian casualties in Gaza. We cannot remain unmoved by the terrible images of children, women and men unjustly affected by violence. We reject any form of violence systematically aimed at eliminating the civilian population and demand that responsibility for these genocidal acts be recognised. We can no longer stand by in silence. It is time to make our voices heard and demand action. It is time for international political institutions to act together to stop the violence, and to guarantee and recognise the rights of Palestinian civilians. This situation is a test for the international community, but also for us as humanity. Thus, we see that the crisis in the Middle East and the war crimes of both Hamas and the Israeli government are unfortunately also fuelling censorship, polarisation, islamophobia and anti-Semitism in our region.
Besides our solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people, we want to express our solidarity with other regions of the world, such as Ukraine, and conflicts that are less highlighted in the media. In countries such as Sudan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, we see how acts of aggression against civilians are becoming increasingly systematic and violent. As in the Middle East, these acts of violence are not accidental consequences of war, but a deliberate strategy in which civilians are targeted, tortured and killed. We cannot allow these crimes to go unnoticed, the victims of these conflicts to go unheard, or the international community to continue to shirk its responsibility to intervene.
P.A.R.T.S.' Commitment
But beyond a statement such as this, what can P.A.R.T.S. itself do? P.A.R.T.S. is actively committed to being inclusive, critical and ethical in both its day-to-day operations and its teaching methods. This starts as early as the auditions where we do not discriminate based on origin or socio-economic background, but choose based on intrinsic talent. All students, regardless of origin, are welcome to apply and participate in our programme. We observe a lot of art schools cutting back under political pressure or being forced to fold back on themselves, drastically reducing their international operations. P.A.R.T.S. very consciously continues to invest in global auditions and insists on meeting prospective students live. P.A.R.T.S.‘ international focus goes hand in hand with a growing awareness that we need to embrace Brussels’ local diversity more.
P.A.R.T.S. is working on an ethical code and a vetting of its financial flows and collaborations. We manage our finances with a bank that has a good sustainability and social responsibility rating and are looking at alternatives to insurance and other services. We have chosen to stop using platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb, as well as airlines like Ryanair for booking international travel. Where possible, we look for alternatives that reflect our ethical standards and we prioritise socially responsible companies that respect human rights and the environment.
P.A.R.T.S. does not cooperate with institutions or organisations linked to governments that systematically violate human rights. We consider it essential to use our influence to promote a human rights-centred world, and will not enter into partnerships that undermine this principle.
Despite the towering challenges and worrying state of the world, we look to the future with hope. We continue to believe in multi-voicedness and the power of individuals and communities. Our students prove this every day. Together with them, we look forward to welcoming a new generation of passionate students who want to join us in contributing to a just and inclusive world.
