CITY OF WOMEN – Association for the Promotion of Women in Culture

City of Women is a pioneering organization focusing on feminism and gender equality in the arts and culture. Since 1996, the Association has been advocating recognition, promotion, better work and life conditions for female artists, and gender equality in the cultural sector in general. Governed by an independent board committed to art, critical theory, feminist, queer, gender and postcolonial studies, City of Women stands for equality, diversity and solidarity. We provide support, resources, visibility and care for artistic, activist and theoretical practices and discourses resonating with our core values. 

Our largest event is the International Festival of Contemporary Arts – City of Women, which has been held for ten days every October since 1995 in different venues across the city of Ljubljana. Uniting amazing women from all over the world, the festival offers a unique experience blending great artistic endeavours with inspiring talks. The Festival has so far presented and produced more than a thousand local and international artists and collectives from all artistic disciplines. 

The City of Women also offers a specialized public library of contemporary arts and feminism, as well as an online digital archive. 

Given that we actively take part in cultural education and feminist pedagogy, we run projects for youth and pedagogues. 

We build capacities for women artists and cultural workers and offer support to associated artists, from pre – to post production phase. 

We stimulate international cooperation by leading or participating in small and big- scale European projects.  

By working against prejudice and stereotypes and implementing community projects strengthening social cohesion, our all-year-round programme connects the sector of art and culture with other sectors, such as social educational and business.  

AWARDS

2019 ECF Princess Margriet Award for Culture

City of Women is the 2019 winner of the prestigious international prize for culture Princess Margriet, awarded by the European Cultural Foundation.

"The two laureates represent distinct cultural approaches, but both also offer a hopeful vision of democracy by redefining our understanding of culture and its capacity to improve a common European social reality."

We share the honour with writer and cultural activist Ahdaf Soueif (Cairo/London). 

EFFE Festival Label

International Festival of Contemporary Arts - City of Women has been twice awarded the EFFE Festival Label, which is presented to festivals with an artistic commitment, involvement in their local communities and a European and global outlook by the European Festivals Association (EFA): 

"A very complete and solid project, connected to present a future and a lively festival that still keeps on changing and improving with the editions. All the different aims, layers, values that they seek are already incorporated and in movement and the diverse and international program shows that they are constantly moving out of the comfort zone to keep the commitment with the focus they promote. Necessary and inspiring festival."

Want to know more? Join us, contact us or subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter.

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Executive Team:
Iva Kovač / program director
Urška Jež / executive producer
Mišel Miheljak / administration and organization
Barbara Zonta / festival production and touring
Katja Lenarčič / public relations and promotion
Ana Lorger / editorial board, library
Sara Šabec / film program selector and head of arts education programs   

Projects Associates:
Urška Alič / graphic design
Nada Žgank / photography
Urša Bonelli Potokar, Tina Šulc / video documentation

Associated artist:
Simona Semenič

Association Members: 
Svetlana Slapšak (honorary president), Nika Autor, Rok Avbar, Eva D. Bahovec, Maja Antončič, Urša Bonelli Potokar Pia Brezavšček, Neda R. Bric Vesna Bukovec, Žiga Brdnik Lea Culetto, Katja Čičigoj, Ana Čigon, Tjaša Črnigoj, Lenka Đorojević, Alenka Gregorič, Tea Hvala,  Petja Grafenauer, Ida Hiršenfelder, Andreja Hribernik, Jasmina Jerant, Borut Jerman, Urška Jež, Bettina Knaup, Katja Kobolt, Nina Kozinc, Dunja Kukovec, Vesna Leskošek, Tanja Lesničar Pučko, Urška Lipovž, Alja Lobnik,Simon Mauch, Metka Mencin, Polona Mesec, Amela Meštrovac, Katja Mihurko Poniž, Maja Peharc, Irena Pivka, Barbara Predan, Eva Prodan, Tjaša Pureber, Teja Reba, Dali Regent, Inga Remeta, Manca G. Renko, Klara Otorepec, Alma R. Selimović, Simona Semenič, Petra Slatinšek, Maja Smrekar, Lilijana Stepančič, Nina Svetelj, Jasmina Šepetavc, Tina Šulc Resnik, Jasmina Vidmar,  Mara Vujić, Valerija Vendramin, Danijela Zajc, Jasmina Založnik, Natalija Zanošk Lana Zdravkovič, Nada Žgank, Tanja Završki, Nataša Živković.

Club members:
Pija Bodlaj, Milica Antić Gaber, Maja Delak, Barbara Drole, Marina Gržinić, Mateja Jesenek, Mojca Jug, Suzana Koncut, Sonja Lokar, Metka Maček, Mirijam Milharčič Hladnik, Nina Ostan, Sabina Potočki, Mitja Rotovnik, Svetlana Slapšak, Maja Šorli, Neva Šlibar, Suzana Tratnik, Nataša Velikonja, Miha Zadnikar, Darja Zaviršek, Ana Jereb.

Association Management Board:
Urška Jež (president), Tea Hvala, Alja Lobnik, Amela Meštrovac, Iva Kovač.