Collaboration in Cultural Enterprises: Reflections on True vs. False Cooperation

Irene Sanesi's editorial for Artribune Magazine #39 examines the concept of collaboration in cultural enterprises, distinguishing genuine cooperation from superficial or insidious forms. She argues that collaboration is not about content or project but about people, and that rigid hierarchies, lack of soft skills in university education, and absence of facilitators in work groups hinder effective teamwork. Sanesi emphasizes that collaboration should not be confused with consensus or conformism, as it requires multidisciplinary vision and clarity about where responsibility lies ("clarity about where the buck stops"). She warns that not all situations are suitable for collaboration and that forcing it can lead to inefficiencies and demotivation. The editorial draws on Anglo-Saxon management concepts and personal observations from her experience as a chartered accountant and auditor specializing in the cultural sector. The piece appears in Artribune Magazine #39, with references to the publication's newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), and PAX (cultural tourism).