On May 8th 2009, The Netherlands Institute for Media Art (NIMk) organises the symposium 'Positions in flux: On the changing role of the artist and institution in the networked society' will center on some of the major parameters for the current and future development of contemporary art.

In particular the symposium will reflect on the aspect of cultural sustainability of art projects, art and technology initiatives and art curating. 'Positions in flux' will give floor to international artists, theoreticians, critics, cultural producers and aims to initiate a truly critical debate. The symposium is designed for a broad audience working in the field of contemporary culture and art, with a desire to understand what comes ahead and how to respond to these changes on an artistic or institutional level. 'Positions in flux' will provide a platform and “thinkspace” for artists, cultural workers, theoreticians and a broader public to envision the future in our field and to provide us with the necessary information to make choices for a meaningful and sustainable development of society and culture.

The three panel discussions follow a clear thematic scheme and try to bring in as much expertise and viewpoints as possible. The panels are interlinked and designed to initiate an ongoing discussion among the participants.

The symposium will be streamed from the symposium venue, Trouw Amsterdam. Online audiences will have the opportunity to participate in the debate in online chat. The results of the debate and its main contributions are reviewed and published online on the new Media Art Platform. www.mediaartplatform.org.

The symposium is part of the 'Here we are – There we go' programme at the Netherlands Media Art Institute, May 8th – 10th, 2009 which takes place on the occasion of the Institute’s 30th anniversary. 'Here we are – There we go' celebrates the Institute’s achievements in these thirty years and plans for the future with an inspiring open house weekend of artist talks, performances, installations, tours and a party. More information:
http://www.nimk.nl/en/index_agenda.php?cat=l&id=298