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Standards Development
This document gives guidelines for cultural organizations on understanding and implementing an event sustainability management system that meets the requirements of ISO 20121:2024, in order to meet the needs and expectations of their audiences, customers, employees, partners and all other relevant interested parties along the value chain of cultural and artistic events. Including production and touring, as well as audience behaviour in the context of events and cultural participation.
It promotes implementing an event sustainability management system in a responsible and accountable manner, through the application of ISO 20124 on a comprehensive basis. These guidelines do not add, change or modify the requirements of ISO 20124. This document will be a guidance standard only (informative)
It is applicable to all different kinds of cultural and arts organizations (such as theatres and museums), regardless of focus, type or size in order to constitute a comprehensive event sustainability management system that focuses on the cultural organization achieving its objectives. The comprehensive character of this system is essential to ensure that all the areas of the cultural organizations have a specified level of reliability (i.e. effectiveness of the processes).
This International Standard does not include product specifications, product test methods, product performance levels, or other forms of guidance or requirements directly related to the products of electoral organizations.
The purpose of this project is to establish guidelines to help cultural organizations understand and implement a sustainability management system that meets the requirements of ISO 20121:2024 and which takes sector-specific needs into account. As arts and cultural entities worldwide face growing demand to adapt to global change and to contribute meaningfully to sustainability, it has become evident that a tailored approach is needed—one that reflects the unique operational and societal roles of these organizations and the processes that turn an artistic idea into an event. The proposed document aims to address the distinct characteristics of the cultural sector, which encompasses a broad range of organizations such as museums, galleries, theatres, music venues, opera houses, and cultural centers. By organizing various events such as exhibitions, concerts, performances, festivals and more, these entities play critical roles in fostering creativity, engaging communities, and preserving cultural heritage, while grappling with unique challenges related to resource constraints, audience diversity, and operational nuances. While addressing these sector-specific challenges and opportunities, the new standard aims to empower the arts and culture to accelerate the sustainability transition both within the sector, with all its diversity and richness, and beyond.It is intended to be applicable by cultural organizations across the globe and will be informed by the outcomes of the scientific project "Culture Goes Sustainable," funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and InnoSuisse (Bridge-Discovery, 2024-2028, grant number: 218726).
Objectives
The specific objectives of this document are to:
- establish guidelines to help cultural organizations understand and implement a sustainability management system that meets the requirements of ISO 20121:2024, in order to meet the needs and expectations of their employees, partners, organisers, and audiences;
- provide cultural organizations worldwide with a consistent approach to sustainable management and thus change the way how cultural organizations are governed, how they limit their environmental impact and how they build communities around shared cultural values;
- translate the technical language of ISO 20121:2024 into language and tools that are more userfriendly for people who are involved in cultural organizations;
- enable sustainable transition of cultural sector guides by consolidated indicators, event management guidelines;
- build confidence within the sector and recognise the achievements through the possibility of certification.
It is anticipated that to support this document several activities will be developed in parallel based on research outcomes and will include:
- practical tools to support the adaptation and implementation of this document;
- sector specific indicators fostering sustainable management of cultural and artistic organizations;
- presentation of best practices;
- support in interpretation process;
- educational offerings.
Please, see attached Outline for new International Standard - Guidelines for application of ISO 20121: 2024 in Cultural Organizations for more information. The document will be developed using a Harmonized Structure based on ISO20121:2024. Over time, it is intended that its content may be incorporated as an annex to ISO20121:2024 during the next revision.
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