A Institutional Assessment and Development Commission (Cadi) has just approved Unicamp's first cultural macro-agenda. The events agenda is part of a broader project, foreseen within the scope of the proposals of the University's Strategic Planning (Planes) and, consequently, within the current management's program, which is to implement a cultural policy for the University. The formulation of the agenda had been discussed since 2005 by a working group made up of 32 people – 8 professors, 8 employees, 8 students and 8 people external to the institution. The launch of the agenda is part of the program relating to Unicamp's 40th anniversary celebrations.

“This is a milestone, as it is the first time that a higher body of the University has approved an agenda of this type”, assesses professor Eduardo Guimarães, special advisor to the rector José Tadeu Jorge. In order for the agenda to be formatted, reveals Guimarães, the working group focused on analyzes and surveys, concluding that a large number of events did not have due visibility and recognition. “We then had the idea of ​​building the agenda, transforming it into a working instrument for establishing a cultural policy, as recommended by the principles of Planes”.

Guimarães emphasizes that the fact that the agenda plans, promotes and makes cultural actions produced on campus more visible does not mean that the University will constitute a directive force over the organization of activities carried out by its different bodies. “The agenda is a way of demonstrating the importance given to cultural activity, but it can in no way control isolated actions and initiatives. Guardianship goes against the principles of the University.”

According to the rector's advisor, the idea is that, at the end of each year, the agenda for the subsequent year will be approved. When the regularity and permanence of any activity is identified, it will naturally be included in the calendar, with the due consent of their respective agents, who will be consulted through an official letter. “The idea is to join forces, highlighting the actions that remain and supporting those that will happen once or more”, says the professor.

In this way, Guimarães believes, the macro-agenda of events will naturally fit in with one of the University's obligations, just as the undergraduate and postgraduate calendars already are, which are subject to approval by higher authorities. “This demonstrates our attention to culture, in addition to giving a sense of guidance for the allocation of resources, planning and continuity”, observes the advisor, remembering that many of these activities are an integral part of the main pillars of the university – teaching, research and extension –, although they cannot be completely confused with any of them due to their peculiarities.

The 2007 agenda (see table on this page) foresees a mandatory activity each month, in addition to including a set of actions that are already traditionally reiterated, such as the Permanent Forums, concerts by the Unicamp Symphony, Zíper na Boca and Unibanda , exhibitions at the Art Gallery, Nanoaventura and Cinema at Casa do Lago, among others. In this context, two newly created activities for the celebrations of Unicamp's 40th anniversary, the Short Story Competition and the Resident Artist Program, will be included in the calendar. The competition will be biennial, and the Program will have notices launched in 2007, for the areas of literature (first semester) and theater (second semester). The objective, according to the advisor, is for these activities to become permanent.

In Guimarães' opinion, the 40th Anniversary festivities of Unicamp served as a kind of laboratory for creating the macro-agenda, as it was demonstrated, in the preparation of the program, that Unicamp's cultural production is rich in volume, quality and diversity. “The working group considered it essential to expressly indicate the importance of these actions”, reveals the professor. “The agenda, in this sense, works as a guideline.”

Guimarães believes that the lack of a cultural policy is a structural problem of Brazilian universities. The professor assesses that, by investing in the implementation of a model that encourages activities, Unicamp is not only filling a gap but also opening the way to produce a “great articulation”, through which it will be possible to establish institutional mechanisms. “I believe that, when he created the consultancy for cultural matters, the rector [José Tadeu Jorge] was interested in building this path”, he assesses.

The first result of the establishment of this institutional mechanism, Guimarães predicts, is the search for resources to carry out productions. According to the professor, one of the possibilities being studied is the accreditation of the agenda under the Rouanet Law, a measure that will facilitate prospecting for sponsorship. “It is clear that the result will not be automatic, but institutional attention will undoubtedly facilitate fundraising.”

Unicamp cultural macro-agenda

January

Science and Art on Vacation
Promoting body: PRP

February
Feverfestival
Promoting body: Lume

March
Freshmen Reception
Promoting body: PRG

April
Choro Festival
Promoting body: IA

May
Cycling with Unicamp
Promoting Bodies: PRDU and FEF

June
Book Fair
Promoting body: Editora da Unicamp

August
Open Doors University - UPA
Promoting body: CGU

Folklore meeting
Promoting bodies: PREAC and IA

September
UGLY
Promoting body: IA

October

Festival of body and sports activities
Promoting body: FEF

Talking to scientists (scientific culture week)
Promoting bodies: Unicamp Science Museum and Labjor

November
“Toda Música” Concerts
Promoting body: GR

Activities throughout the year

Activity - Promoting body

Permanent forums - CGU - CORI
Resident Artist Program - GR
Unicamp orchestra concerts - Nidic
Zíper na Boca Concerts - Nidic
Unibanda Concerts - Nidic
Art gallery exhibitions - IA
Cinema at the lake house - PREAC
Nanoadventure - Science Museum
Challenge workshop - Science Museum

Biennial activities

Short Story Competition
Promoting body: GR
Next year of production: 2008