ENGAGEMENT

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ENGAGEMENT is a movement led by artists and cultural workers, aimed at addressing transgressive behaviour, sexism, and abuse of power in the cultural sector. We strive for a broad shift in mentality: away from the culture of silence, towards a work culture where peers actively stand up for one another.

The movement emerged in the wake of #MeToo (2017), after numerous cases of transgressive behaviour were exposed in the Belgian dance world. Art workers and artists started gathering around common concerns, which led to a statement, written by Sirah Foighel Brutmann, Rósa Ómarsdóttir, Gala Moody and Ilse Ghekiere. It was made public upon the launch of this website in March 2018. It has since been signed by over 600 people from the arts field. You can still read and sign the statement here.

ENGAGEMENT later evolved into an organised platform, active across various artistic disciplines, both in professional and educational contexts.

As a low-threshold, peer-to-peer initiative, ENGAGEMENT offers support to individuals and communities confronted with transgressive behaviour, discrimination and/or unfair practices in the arts. We also engage in long-term dialogue with organisations striving to create safer and more inclusive work environments.

ENGAGEMENT was part of the first Action Plan Against Transgressive Behaviour by the Flemish Department of Culture, Youth and Media (2018–2019), and received support from Ministers of Culture Sven Gatz and Jan Jambon until 2022. For the period 2025–2026, ENGAGEMENT once again receives support through a public tender, under Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez, for “facilitating peer-to-peer support for victims of transgressive behaviour in the broader cultural sector.” This in the context of the new Action Plan Against Transgressive Behaviour in the Cultural Sector.

In our work, we approach sexual harassment and gender-based violence from an intersectional feminist perspective. ENGAGEMENT stands in solidarity with all those who fight against sexism, racism, ableism, and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

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Our current team consists of: Anneleen Lemmens, Ilse Ghekiere, Anna Muchin, Aike Roodenburg, Margo Veeckman and Jens Van Lathem. Our board consists of: Petra Van Brabandt, Rachida Lamrabet and Sofie Avery.

ENGAGEMENT was initiated by Ilse Ghekiere and developed in 2017 in the context of D.I.T. (Do It Together), a research and development project by Kunstenpunt..

The statement on this website was shaped in March 2018 by Sirah Foighel Brutmann, Rósa Ómarsdóttir, Gala Moody, Ilse Ghekiere.

This website was designed with care by Sarah Magnan and Loraine Furter, from the collective Just for the Record, with the open source font Hind, designed by Manushi Parikh.

Trust persons & people who have taken up an active role within ENGAGEMENT (2019-2022): Aike Roodenburg, Jacopo Buccino, Josefien Cornette, Eline De Clercq, Sirah Foighel Brutmann, Ilse Ghekiere, Margo Veeckman, Siska Baeck, Petra Van Brabandt, Karolien Chromiak, Justine Maxelon, Anneleen Lemmens, Melissa Mabesoone, Anna Muchin, Merel Severs, Nelle Hens, …

Since 2022, ENGAGEMENT is a VZW (non-profit).

PARTNERS

Partners who support us and/or have support us in the past: Sophia vzw, RoSa vzw, Sociaal Fonds Podiumkunsten, oKo, ACOD/CGSP Cultuur, Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie, Vlaamse Overheid (Cultuur, Jeugd en Media), Kunstenpunt, SPIN, Kunsthal Gent and Gents Kunstenoverleg.

We work closely together with Vlaams Meldpunt Grensoverschrijdend Gedrag and Instituut voor Gelijkheid van Vrouwen en Mannen.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A hearfelt thank you goes to all the people who got involved, structurally or temporarily, voluntarily (and with incredible energy!), to contribute to the work of ENGAGEMENT.

Special thanks to all the dancers and performing artists from #wetoo #makemovement, who have inspired and supported this work from its early days.