COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(90) 472 final 
Brussels, 25 October 19V0 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
VOCATIONAL TRAINING 
IN THE ARTS FIELD 
LAYOUT 
ntroduct ion 
11. Operating principles 1 to 6 
1. The approach 1 
2. Pr iority areas 4 
(i) The audiovisual field 4 
(ii) Conservation and restoration 4 
(i i i) Translators 6 
III. A plan of action 6 to 9 
1. Identifying the existing problems 6 
(a) Surveys of the arts training situation 
and needs in the Member States 7 
(b) Sector-by-sector consultations 8 
(i) Sector-by-sector seminars 8 
(ii) Dissemination of the results of the 
consultation exercise 8 
(c) Presentation of the results of the review of 
vocational training in the various branches 
of the arts 9 
2. Immediate experimental projects 9 
Annex 1: Financial statement 
Annex 2: DG X-2 support for training in 1990: 
conservation and restoration; translators 
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I. INTRODUCTION 
In the run-up to the completion of the internal market in 1992, the 
Council and the Ministers responsible for cultural affairs, in their 
conclusions of 27 May 1988 on future action in the cultural field,1 
singled out vocational training as one of four areas for priority 
attent ion. 
At the Council of Ministers with responsibility for cultural affairs of 
18 May 1990, the guidelines set out in the Commission's working 
document on action In the field of training in the arts were favourably 
received. 
The Commission's aim is to identify existing problems in the field of 
training in the arts field at Community level, and to help enhance the 
quality of such training by improving the dissemination of information 
and promoting exchanges of experience and expertise. 
in the Council's discussions, Ministers laid particular stress on the 
importance they attached to promoting further exchanges and improving 
the flow of information in these fields; at the same time, they 
emphasised the need to be flexible and to avoid adopting a dir igiste 
approach to training in the arts field.2 
II. OPERATING PRINCIPLES 
1. The approach 
To achieve this objective, the Commission will strive to maximize the 
results which can be achieved by coordinating structures and funds in 
the Community more effectively without creating new machinery. 
The Commission regards its role in this field as being that of a 
catalyst which, by applying the principle of subsidiarity, will promote 
cooperation in the context of the common vocational training policy and 
trigger synergy and interaction in the European Community, and maybe in 
Europe as a whole. 
The Commission intends to establish conditions in which a transnational 
sector-by-sector momentum will build up in the field of training for 
workers in the arts and can be incorporated into the general framework 
of the aims pursued by the common vocational training policy. 
This approach calls for close dialogue between the Commission's own 
departments and between those departments and the professionals in the 
field, as well as the authorities with national responsibility, so that 
joint, coordinated action can be taken. 
1 0J C 197, 27.7.1988, p. 1. 
2 Summary record of the 1403rd meeting of the Council of the European 
Communities (Cultural Affairs), Sl(90)395, 22 May 1990. 
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ln response to the request from the Ministers responsible for cultural 
affairs that It should give priority attention to the question of 
training for workers In the arts, the Commission will begin by listing 
the contexts In which meaningful action to promote such training could 
be considered at Community level. 
(I) The purpose of the structural Funds is, In a general sense, to 
Improve the situation with regard to employment and market 
competitiveness and combat regional disparities (see, for example, 
p. 3, second paragraph). 
(II) Similarly, In the context of the common vocational training policy 
(Article 128) and Community cooperation in the field of education, the 
various programmes which are put into effect focus basically on 
particular levels of training or population groups. 
The objectives of the common vocational training policy cover both the 
arts and other sectors, as the latter involve the various categories of 
the population who are entitled to have access to training. 
Investment in human resources to promote training In the various 
branches of the arts goes beyond the Immediate benefits which may 
accrue to them In economic and social terms and has a major impact on 
the quality of life for all Europe's citizens. 
The existing Community programmes designed to support training for 
Europe's citizens are not, however, structured on sectoral lines. 
Nevertheless, an analysis of such programmes shows that there Is 
potential In the arts for the various population categories, and that 
that potential can be harnessed in a better coordinated, more 
Intensive manner by those responsible for training in the arts. 
There are, too, several Community training programmes, such as 
Erasmus,1 Comett2 and Petra,3 which Include a greater or lesser 
number of training projects In the fields of conservation, the 
audiovisual media, the plastic arts, music and so on. The recently 
adopted Force programme4 should also In time open up new and 
attractive prospects for people working in the arts. 
Erasmus: European Community action scheme for the mobility of 
university students - OJ L 166, 25.6.1987. Erasmus II: OJ L 395, 
30.12.1989, p. 23. 
Comett: Community action programme in education and training for 
technology - OJ L 222, 17.8.1986. Comett II: OJ L 13, 17.1.1989, 
p. 28. 
Petra: Action programme for the vocational training of young people 
and their preparation for adult and working life - OJ L 346, 
10.12.1987. 
Force: Community action programme for the development of continuing 
vocational training - OJ L 156, 21.6.1990, p. 1. 
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Slmllarly, In the context of the regulations governing the structural 
Funds and In keeping with national employment policies,1 projects with 
an arts dimension have been developed as part of certain programmes, 
particularly In the fields of conservation and restoration.2 
Even so, at the moment training In the arts field figures only 
marginally In vocational training programmes, for reasons which Include 
the diversity of cultural and historical traditions; 
the difficulties caused by the fact that most activity In the arts 
sector is carried on by small and medium-sized undertakings; 
the wide variety of structures, levels and contexts In and at which 
training In the arts is given, making It: 
* a more laborious process identifying potential partners and 
circulating Information In the Community;3 
* more difficult to carry out the preparatory work prior to 
concluding greements and devising Joint training projects In 
the sector. 
The Commission will ensure that the special character of the various 
branches of the arts Is taken Into account as part of the broad effort 
being made on the vocational training front in cooperation, where 
appropriate, with the Council of Europe, In view of Its expertise In 
that field.4 
The basic object of this memorandum Is to pinpoint the main task facing 
the Commission in the field of training for the arts. In the first 
Instance, that task Is to Identify the special requirements of the arts 
The Council and the Ministers responsible for cultural affairs, In 
their resolution of 18 May 1984, recommended making greater use of 
the Social Fund to benefit workers In the arts (OJ C 2, 4.1.1985, 
p. 2). 
Especially under the Social Fund (e.g. Greece, through the Ministry 
of Culture and various local authorities, funds several 
conservation and restoration projects under the Fund). 
This emerges from, among other things, the studies carried out for 
Erasmus on the application of that programme to the areas of live 
performance and the plastic arts: 
(a) Obstacles to Involvement In the Community's Erasmus programme 
in the fields of music, theatre and the dance - EurocréatIon, 
July 1989; 
(b) Obstacles to Involvement In the Erasmus programme in the field 
of art and design - Pierre Kuenz, July 1989 (88-23-Era-018/FR). 
The Council of Europe and the Community represented by the 
Commission are already working together In the area of vocational 
training, In the arts, on a number of specific measures aimed 
essentially at Improving the circulation of Information among 
authorities responsible for training In the arts-related 
professions and arts administration In the regions (e.g. the 
European network of regional arts administrators, Fondation Marcel 
Hichter, Belgium). 
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sectors at the initial, university and In-service training stages, so 
that, moving on to the second phase, It Is In a position to propose 
priority measures whereby better use can be made of existing structures 
and funds. 
In this connection the Commission will emphasize that Its basic 
objective Is to help training authorities make shared use of these 
structures and funds so that they can develop their activities 
independently. 
To bring that about the Commission must propose a definition of the 
areas for priority attention and put forward a plan of action. 
2. Priority areas 
The boundaries of what Is known as the arts are shifting ones. Without 
excluding anything from Its scope from the outset, the Commission will 
proceed by stages and according to a ranking order of priorities, 
focusing Its endeavours on vital sectors where urgent action is 
required. 
Thus, In accordance with the ministerial conclusions of 27 May 1988,1 
the Commission proposes to undertake and intensify priority action In 
the following three areas: 
the audiovisual media; 
conservation and restoration; 
translation. 
In the last two sectors, I.e. conservation and restoration, and 
translation, the Commission, as part of Its action In the cultural 
field, embarked several years ago on a modest scheme to support 
training. 
As will be explained In the presentation concerning sectoral 
consultations (cf. p. 8b), the two priority sectors referred to above 
will serve as a test bed, without waiting for the three parts of the 
review to be carried through In turn (Cf. Action plan, p. 6). 
(I) Training in the audiovisual sector 
Training professionals In the audiovisual field is central to the 
MEDIA programme. Several of Its projects Include an Important 
element devoted to developing professional skills (BABEL - SCRIPT -
CARTOON - MEDIA "club"). Furthemore, In EAVE (European Audiovisual 
Entrepreneurs), a response has been set up, in complement to 
national undertakings, through, since 1988, seminars in business 
and economic skills for young producers. This has led to the 
creation of the "MEDIA Business School", a co-ordinating body which 
organises high-level seminars for European audi visual 
professionals. These are Intended to help professionals adapt to 
the new economic dimension of a European audiovisual "Internal 
market" and to acquire the management techniques they need to 
exploit It to the fui I. 
The Commission proposes to follow up and Intensify Its activity In 
this field through the action programme for the development of the 
audiovisual Industry, "MEDIA" 1991-19952. A proposal for a Council 
decision is currently on the table. 
1 OJ C 197, 27.7.1988, p. 1. 
2 C0M(90)132 final 
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(II) Training In conservation and restoration 
The cultural, economic and social challenges which the conservation of 
the Community's movable and immovable heritage represents can be 
Illustrated by the comparatively high (In this sector) level of 
participation in Community training programmes such as Petra, the 
exchange programme for youna workers,1 Erasmus and so on, or through 
Eurocare2 as part of Eureka.3 
This Is, among other things, an opportunity to breathe fresh life Into 
economic regions going through a period of change by establishing the 
conditions for maintaining a fabric of small and medium-sized 
undertakings and creating new jobs at various levels of qualification. 
In a broader sense, conservation and restoration help to Improve the 
quality of life of the Community's citizens by enhancing their 
environment, and enable better use to be made of the potential in human 
resources. 
The Council of Europe and UNESCO, as well as a large number of 
specialist organizations such as ICCROM,4 lCOM5 and IC0M0S,6 have 
for a number of years now regularly given their attention to the 
training and Information problems which arise in this sector. The 
Council of Europe, for instance, in close cooperation with the 
Commission, has been promoting the crafts associated with the 
restoration of the artistic heritage via Inter-European cooperation 
between training centres (e.g. the training centre for craftsmen In 
Ven i ce). 
The Commission, with due regard for the principle of subsidiarity, will 
seek to coordinate Its Initiatives more closely with those of the 
Member States and the above-mentioned specialist bodies, so as to avoid 
duplication of effort and, In due course, to embark on Joint 
Initiatives Involving calling more systematically on the services and 
expertise of International organizations. 
The field of conservation and restoration encompasses a multiplicity of 
occupations. Here, any venture relating to training standards must at 
one and the same time be a means of conserving and transmitting 
traditional skills and of ensuring that the most sophisticated new 
techniques are applied to the sector. 
As part of Its "Cultural Action" to date, the Commission has enabled 
students from the Community to perfect their skills by awarding them 
grants for training at International centres renowned for the standard 
of training they provide (cf. Annex 2). 
The Commission's object In operating this scheme, which to a large 
extent Involves the sphere of higher education, Is to help to Influence 
training standards by the multiplier effect which international courses 
of this type have In the Member States. 
1 Exchange programme for young workers - OJ L 331, 19.12.1984, p. 36. 
2 Eurocare: European project of conservation and restoration -
Stockholm, Conference of Ministers, 16-17 December 1986. 
3 Eureka: Hanover Declaration, 5-6 November 1985. 
4 ICCROM: International Centre for the study of the preservation and 
restoration of cultural property. 
5 ICOM: International Council of Museums. 
6 ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and Sites. 
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(III) Training for translators 
Training for translators, particularly literary translators. Is one of 
thefactors which determine translation standards.1 
Considering how rare a command of more than one language Is In 
practice, high-quality translations are an aid to understanding and 
communication between the peoples of Europe. 
For several years, the Commission has been making special efforts in 
the field of translation, and In particular Is pushing forward with Its 
EUROTRA2* programme to enable It to create a common system capable of 
effecting translations In all nine off leal languages of the Community. 
In Its communication on "Books and reading: a cultural challenge for 
Europe",3 the Commission stressed the Importance It attached to the 
devising of special forms of training for translators and made 
proposals for a series of priority measures In that field4. 
In keeping with the resolution adopted by the Council and the Ministers 
responsible for cultural affairs on 18 May 1989,5 the Commission has 
stepped up the support It gives to existing literary translation 
centres (cf. Annex 2) and would like to see the networking which links 
them being extended to cover the whole of the Community. 
In particular, It plans to organize a meeting between these centres In 
November so as to review progress and help them trace out the pattern 
for their future development. 
The network of literary translation centres is a means whereby 
professional translators can perfect their skills through contact with 
other translators. 
The Commission will draw on this experience as background for 
considering ways of promoting special types of training In the various 
specialized areas of translation, particularly In higher education. 
Special account will be taken of the results of measures undertaken by 
the Council of Europe as part of Its intergovernmental programme for 
1990 and the Council for Cultural Cooperation programme for 1990. 
I II. A PLAN OF ACTION 
The action the Commission proposes hinges on the following two 
features: 
- 1. Identifying the existing problems; 
- 2. Immediate experimental projects. 
1. Identifying the existing problems 
In the first Instance the Commission will conduct a review of the 
situation and needs In the field of training for the arts, measured 
against the objectives set for the common vocational training policy. 
The purpose of this review will be to supply precise Information about 
the situation and the needs In the field of arts training In the Member 
1 OJ C 309, 19.11.1987, p. 3. 
2. COM(89)603 - 6.12.89 
3 C0M(89)258 final, 3.8.1989. 
4 COM(89)258 final, p. 12. 
5 OJ C 189, 20.7.1989, p. 1. 
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States and, by a process of sector-by-sector consultation, to identify 
specific initiatives which, because of the value added which they would 
generate, it would be more effective to implement at Community level, 
it should also serve the Interests of arts training by helping to forge 
the analytical tools needed for introducing measures which would have 
an appreciable Impact In the Community. 
The review will be conducted in three parts: 
(a) surveys of the arts training situation and needs In the Member 
States; 
(b) sector-by-sector consultations; 
(c) presentation of the results of the review of training In the 
various branches of the arts. 
(a) Surveys of the arts training situation and needs In the Member 
These surveys will produce factual Information from which the main 
strengths and weaknesses in the provision of and access to training in 
the arts field in the Member States at the various stages in vocational 
training can be identified and the correlation between professional 
qualifications can be examined. 
Although they will not claim to be scientifically exhaustive or to 
produce rigorously comparable results, the aim of the surveys will be 
to put the various existing approaches and problems in the Member 
States into perspective, measuring them against the principles of 
common vocational training policy and, In particular, the pattern of 
vocational training available at different levels. 
In addition, the surveys will examine, in the context of the 
elimination of Internal borders and measures to enable the free 
movement of persons, questions related to qualifications in each sector 
and the mobility of those who work in the arts. 
In proposing to produce a practical, compatible tool of this type the 
Commission's Intention is to: 
help to supplement the analysis of policies developed at the 
national or regional levels; 
identify, In the light of measures and initiatives adopted under 
national and regional plans to promote arts training, those 
measures which, If Implemented at Community level, would usefully 
back up and strengthen such endeavours; 
promote the mobility of those who work In the arts. 
Special attention will be paid to initiatives designed, in the context 
of the objectives of the common vocational training policy, to: 
promote the handing on or conservation of skills and the exchange of 
expertise or experience; 
support the targeted dissemination of vocational Information in the 
Community; 
stimulate joint consultation and cooperation between training 
authorities on a Community scale; 
strengthen existing networks and foster new partnerships. 
The proposed timetable for carrying out these surveys will be a two-
year one, covering 1991 and 1992 (cf. financial statement, Annex 1). 
The Commission counts on the supervisory authorities In the Member 
States to work with it to ensure that the Investigations actually 
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(b) Sector-bv-sector consultations 
At the same time, the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, 
wlI I embark on a process of sector-by-sector consultations the results 
of which will serve to supplement and clarify the findings of the 
surveys. 
For practical reasons, the Commission will carry out the consultations 
In each of the various arts fields In turn. Without waiting for the 
full results of the review referred to above, it will start with two of 
the three areas earmarked for priority attention by the Council, I.e. 
training In the field of conservation and restoration ? J training for 
translators. 
The Commission would like these consultations to involve the various 
Interests (professionals In the arts field, those responsible for 
training and the supervisory authorities) whose task It is to devise 
and Implement training schemes in the various branches of the arts. A 
willingness to cooperate and commitment from all the parties involved 
will determine the success or failure of any proposal for Joint action, 
especially In this field. 
To carry the sector-by-sector consultations through successfully, the 
Commission proposes to organize seminars covering each sector and to 
circulate the results of the consultation exercise. 
(I) Sector-by-sector seminars 
In keeping with the aims which the common vocational training policy 
pursues on an Intersectoral basis, the seminars will give priority to 
the various sectors of training in the arts field and will be centred 
on: 
- basic vocational training for young people; 
- higher education and training; 
- in-service vocational training. 
The purpose of these is to provoke an exchange of Information and 
experience whereby: 
a concentrated I Ight can be shed on the range of approaches and 
requirements in the different Member States; 
the public and private-sector training authorities can be helped to 
find Innovative solutions to meet their specific requirements; 
lastly, the participants can identify transnational initiatives 
which, If Implemented at Community level, would make a substantial 
contribution to Increasing the supply of and access to vocational 
training in the Community in the sectors concerned. 
(II) Dissemination of the results of the consultation exercise 
To involve all interested parties in the process of considering these 
matters, the Commission will regularly publish the conclusions reached 
In the consultations. 
(c) Presentation of the results of the review of vocational training In 
the various branches of the arts 
Before the end of 1992 the Commission will present the results of the 
review of vocational training in the arts field to the parties 
concerned. 
The object of this third stage in the full review described above 
(p. 6) Is to compare the results of the surveys with those of the 
sector-by-sector consultations and draw the requisite conclusions, 
bearing in mind the overall objectives of the common vocational 
training polIcy. 
Meanwhile the Commission will focus Its attention on a limited number 
of priority areas. 
2. Immediate experimental projects 
To boost the efforts already being made as part of the Commission's 
work In culture In the field of conservation/restoration and 
translation (cf. Annex 2), In the two priority sectors the Commission 
would like to test a set of methods geared to the following broad 
object Ives: 
a) strengthening cooperation between training authorities; e.g. by 
study visits, or the creation of Joint projects, to enable those 
responsible for training matters to work with their counterparts in 
other member countries In preparation of co-operation agreements, 
or by teacher exchanges, to enable them, by practical encounters, 
to Incorporate a European dimension Into their teaching; 
- Improving the flow of Information about training schemes In the 
Community; e.g. through targetting information on trainers and 
professionals; or through adapting Information for young people 
In basic training or higher education to help them find their way 
around the content and conditions of access of such training, as 
well as the qualifications required; 
- through efforts towards greater concordance in the mutual 
recognition of professional qualifications. 
-promoting Innovative ventures in Member States, e.g. by 
supporting efforts to demonstrate the application of new 
technology, particularly as a tool of informatics; or by 
supporting Innovative ventures In professional training. 
Once this experiment, confined to the two priority sectors, has been 
completed, the Commission will evaluate the results so that they can be 
taken Into account In the process of sector-by-sector consultations on 
all the branches of the arts. 
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ANNEX 1 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
1. Budgetary hsatilng 
Item B 3200 
2. Legal basis 
Article 205 of the EEC Treaty 
3. Classification of expenditure 
Non-compulsory 
4. Description 
1 • Review of the situation and needs in the field of vocational 
training in the various branches of the arts 
(a) Surveys in the Member States 
(b) Sector-by-sector consultations 
(c) Presentation of the results of the review of vocational 
training in the arts field 
2. Immediate experimental prolects 
(a) Support for cooperation between authorities responsible for 
training 
(b) Support for the dissemination of Information about training 
schemes 
(c) Support for Innovation In the Member States 
(d) Cooperation with International organizations on Joint projects 
5. Justification 
Resolution of the Council and the Ministers with responsibility for 
cultural affairs meeting within the Council on 27 May 1988. 
6. Estimated financial consequencjas. 
Total: ECU 1.2 million for 1991-92 
Table: attached 
* The proposed action is covered by appropriations entered against I tea B 3200 In the 
preliminary draft budget for 1991. 1. Review of the situation and needs In the field 
of vocational training In the various branches 
of the arts 
a) Survsys in the Menber States 
Surveys of the situation and needs in the field 
vocational training in the arts at each level of 
vocational training 
b) S8Ctor-by_-sector consultations 
Sealnars in each branch of the arts, Involving 
professional practitioners, trainers and 
supervisory authorities 
F 1 rst-prlorIty areas: 
- conservation and restoration 
- trans lat Ion 
(5 2-day meetings) 
Second-priority areas: 
(at least 5 areas) 
c) Presentation of results of review 
Subtotal 1 
II. Immediate experimental p_rolects 
a) Sup_p_ort for cooperation between training 
author 11les 
b) Sup_p_ort for dissera Inaton of Information 
about training 
c) Sup_p_ort for innovative experiments 
d) Cooperation with International organizations 
on lolnt p_roJ.ects 
Subtotal II 
Grand total 1 + 1 I • in ECU thousand 
1991 
1 
! 
1150 
150 
300 
250 
250 
550 1992 
i 
100 
150 
150 
400 
250 
250 
650 Total 
i 
i 
250 
oUU 
150 
700 
500 
500 
| 1 200 
-AX-
7. Effect on revenue 
None 
8. Type of control 
-8.1. Financial control 
- 8.2. Scientific and technical control: DG X-2 and Task Force 
(Human 
Resources) 
9. Staff required* 
- 1 A7/4 
- 1 B 
- 3 C 
These resources can be found either by internal redeployment or as 
part of the planning of resources for 1991. 
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ANNEX 2 
TRAINING GRANTS FOR THE TWO PRIORITY SECTORS IN 1990 
I. Conservation and restoration: (Total: ECU 275 300) 
(a) Architectural heritage 
ICCROM, Italy 
Study Centre for the Conservation of the Architectural and Urban 
Heritage, University of Leuven, Belgium 
Centre for Conservation Studies, University of York, Great Britain 
(b) Craftsmen 
Pro Venezia Viva, European Centre for the Training of Craftsmen In 
the Conservation of the Architectural Heritage, Italy 
(c) Archaeology 
Institute of Archaeology, University of London, Great Britain 
European University Centre for Cultural Property, Ravello, Italy 
II. Colleges of literary translators: (Total: ECU 130 000) 
EuropSlsches Ubersetzer-Kollegium, Straalen 
Collège International des Traducteurs Littéraires, CIL Arles, France 
Colleglo dl Procida SITL (Italian Literary Translators' Union), Italy 
Casa del Traductor de Tarazona, Spain 
British Centre for Literary Translation, University of East Anglla, 
Norwich, Great Britain 

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