Inspiration Day Schools of Arts in the Global South

On Monday 27 April 2026, the first Inspiration Day Schools of Arts in the Global South took place. This seminar brought together artists, teachers, researchers and international coordinators to address one central question: how can arts education institutions collaborate with partners worldwide in a more equitable and sustainable manner?

The initiative is a collaboration between the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp (AP University College), the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels (Erasmus University College Brussels) and KASK & Conservatorium, and provided an open learning environment centred on practical examples, reflection and dialogue.

The programme drew on concrete practical cases — including projects that faced challenges or did not go as planned. This approach created space for honest reflection on international collaboration within a context of inequality.

Milica Ilić’s keynote emphasised how international artistic collaboration takes place within an uneven playing field, shaped by geopolitical relations, historical contexts and unequal access to resources. She called for a rethinking of existing models and for the adoption of shared responsibility within the international arts sector.

During co-creation sessions in the afternoon, work continued on questions such as: This first edition made it clear that there is a strong need for exchange, deeper exploration and critical reflection on this topic. The organisers are therefore looking forward to possible follow-up initiatives that will continue this dialogue.

• How do we make reciprocity a reality in collaboration?
• How do we avoid unconsciously reproducing existing inequalities?
• What alternative forms of collaboration are possible?This first edition made it clear that there is a strong need for exchange, deeper exploration and critical reflection on this topic. The organisers are therefore looking forward to possible follow-up initiatives that will continue this dialogue.

This first edition made it clear that there is a strong need for exchange, deeper exploration and critical reflection on this topic. The organisers are therefore looking forward to possible follow-up initiatives that will continue this dialogue.