Socioloy of the Arts Research Network (RN2), European Sociological Association Sept. 23, 2003.
Location : University of Murcia, Spain
Meeting Chair : Anna
Lisa Tota
Co-chair : Tia DeNora
Minute Taker : Jan Marontate
29 people participated
in the meeting
Anna Lisa announced that Alain Quemin could not attend and invited Tia DeNora, past president, to co-chair the meeting. She extended thanks to the scientific committee for various contributions (web site, list serve and other contributions).
Anna Lisa reported on her work over the past two years, noting on the efforts of Margareta Bertilsson (President for the Research Networks activities) and the other chairs of the research networks to develop new initiatives and to promote a closer cooperation between the ESA Executive Board and the ESA RNs. One issue was to establish a principle for seeking funding for the research networks. By recognizing the needs expressed by many ESA RNs chairs, for the first time the ESA Executive Board, after the ESA Board Meeting held in March 2002, agreed to offer official ESA-support to Research Networks for their activities with a maximum sum of Euro 500. Cooperation with other ESA research networks is very important. Anna Lisa noted the collaboration with the RN Qualitative Methods and, particularly, with his chair Thomas Eberle. Members of our RN and colleagues working on the field of arts and culture have been invited to participate to the interim-meeting in Saint. Gallen organized by the Qualitative Methods RN in the fall of 2002 (Paul Atkinson as keynote speaker, Gary Allan Fine), in order to start a theoretical debate on the use of qualitative methods in our field. The RN Sociology of the Arts also co-organized an interim meeting with the Sociology of the Arts Research Committee of the International Sociological Association in May of 2003 in Paris.
Anna Lisa encouraged members to attend the ESA General Assembly tomorrow. She noted that the Sociology of the Arts and the Qualitative Methods research networks were singled out for special mention by the ESA President for the Research Network Activities in the Bulletin of the European Sociologist Association – Issue 15, pp.10-11, where Margareta Bertilsson has stated:
«Amongst those I like to mention here especially (RN2) Sociology of Art and (RN16) Qualitative Methods. These two networks are also in close co-operation, which further strengthens their profile. They are also engaged in planning semi-plenaries and inviting speakers for the Murcia-conference in 2003. Typical for such expanding research networks seems to be that they are growing both with regard to quantity and quality: they organise many sessions with many papers on many diverse issues while at the same time growing in depth and reflection. These are exemplary research networks, and the dream work of any professional organization.».
Robert Witkin proposed a vote of thanks to Anna Lisa for her contributions over the past two years and asked to be permitted to nominate Susanne Janssen as the next chair, noting her contributions to the field over the past few years. Jan Marontate and Anna Lisa seconded the nomination. Susanne was elected by acclamation. Tia DeNora nominated Graciela Trajtenberg as Vice –Chair and noted her longstanding contributions as an active, founding member of the Network. Robert Witkin seconded the nomination. Graciela was elected by acclamation. Bob Witkin stepped down from his position as decano. Anna Lisa, after thanking him especially for his important contribution over the past four years, nominated Tia DeNora for the position of Decano. Anna Lisa explained the duties of the position which is very common both in Italian and Swiss universities. Tia was elected by acclamation. Jan Marontate stepped down from her position as North American representative and nominated Timothy Dowd as the North American representative for the next term. Tim was elected by acclamation. Anna Lisa nominated Paul Atkinson as a board member. Tia DeNora and Bob Witkin seconded the nomination. Paul Atkinson was elected by acclamation. Susanne Janssen nominated Rudi Laermans as a board member. Anna Lisa suggested the nomination of Juan Antonio Roche as a board member. Rudi and Juan Antonio Roche were elected by acclamation. Fredrik Engelstad and Volker Kirchberg were elected by acclamation as continuing board members. Nel Van Dijk agreed to assume the responsibility of webmaster for the Arts Network web site replacing Jan Marontate.
Anna Lisa announced that the next ESA meeting will be held in Poland. She
discussed the hope that a system of awards for publications could be developed
as we had discussed in our last meeting in Helsinki. She also discussed the
institutional need for a research network in the sociology of culture within
ESA. Motti Regev endorsed the idea of including the word “culture” in the title.
Juan Antonio Roche did as well. Bob Witkin and Heine von Alemann expressed
concerns about the loss of specificity. Rudi pointed out that we are not dedicated
to “art-art” research and he proposed that we have a positive attitude towards
the notion of art and culture but that we make a statement that make it clear
for us in what sense that art is related to culture. Anna Lisa pointed out
that this is a very good proposal and that the procedure will surely involve
writing a statement. Frederik Engelstad agreed. Robert Witkin pointed out that
we already attract many people but everyone is always afraid. A vote was taken
on the proposal to change the name to Arts and Culture. The majority of those
present voted in favor of the name change (18 out of 29 members present).
Susanne
asked about the timing of the interim meeting in Rotterdam in November or December
2004.
Rudi asked about the representation of non-Western European
members. Tomaz Krpic was elected to the board to fill this gap.
No other business
was brought forward. The meeting was adjourned.
ESA RN 2 “SOCIOLOGY OF THE ARTS” 2003-2005
Chair :
Susanne Janssen (Netherlands)
Vicechair : Graciela Trajtenberg
(Israel)
Decano : Tia DeNora (Uk)
Members of the board:
Anna Lisa Tota as former chair (Italy)
Paul Atkinson (UK)
Rudi Laermans (Belgium)
Fredrick Engelstad (Norway)
Timothy Dowd (USA)
Juan Antonio Roche (Spain)
Volker Kirchberg (Germany)
Nel Van Dijk as webmaster (Netherlands)
Tomaz Krpic (Slovenia)