List of Shortcomings

Upon her return from holiday, an employee of a cultural institution was presented with a List of Shortcomings.

It contained a list of allegations concerning her work.

Instead of a conversation with her superior, she received a list of her shortcomings.

Instead of looking for solutions only a remediation plan and a threat of sanctions.

What does it mean to practise solidarity, cooperation, and social justice in the cultural sector? Who sets the boundaries of communication and what are the consequences of breaching or honouring them? How can we make cultural work environmentally-friendly, sustainable, and healthy?

The project consists of three interrelated elements:

1. A performance named List of Shortcomings was developed based on a script written on the basis of 9 extensive interviews with cultural sector workers from across Poland. The starting point for the creation of the performance was the question: “Can work in the cultural sector be environmentally-friendly, sustainable, and healthy while focusing on performances, presentations, communication with the audience, and intensive event production, as well as the factoring in the importance of the human element? Performance also raises the question of how to deal with emerging malpractice and abuse in the sector, without accusing anyone or rushing to judgement?
2. The show was accompanied by an exhibition of works by Katarzyna Belczyk, an illustrator who uses humour and irony to talk about the challenges that artists and other creators face in their work. The character she created featured in the potato_face_stories has a loyal following on Instagram.
3. A workshop included also in the event. Shortly after the premiere, culture sector workers have been invited to an empowerment meeting where they could exchange views and experiences about working in culture. The workshop used creative methods to activate bodies and voices, it was held and directed in the interests of communal wellbeing.

Promotion on the part of the Theatre Pedagogues’ Association: Katarzyna Łopata

Administrative support: Aleksandra Antoniuk

The List of Shortcomings is a project by the Theatre Pedagogues’ Association. It features a performance, exhibition, and workshop and is partly funded by the capital city of Warsaw. The Warsaw Observatory of Culture is a partner of the project. The Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre is a co-organiser of the event.

Premiere: 2 December (including exhibition opening); next date: 3 December 2023. The performances will take place on the small stage of the Dramatyczny Theatre in Warsaw. We hope to be able to showcase the performances outside of Warsaw as well.