What inspires Danseurs Citoyens Sud to engage in field support?
Equitable sharing and flow: Like mycelium and rhizomes distributing nutrients underground, we work to ensure fair access to resources, information, and opportunities across all communities we engage with.
Invisible yet vital support: We often play supporting roles that may not be visible, yet help spark and sustain living “cells” and initiatives that grow, connect, and thrive independently.
Living, adaptive networks: Inspired by the organic movement of mycelium and rhizomes, we foster cultural ecosystems that are alive—fluid, responsive, and driven by collective participation rather than rigid structures.
MyceRhizome
What We Are Testing
Our experimentation plan is rooted in the principles of living networks, inspired by the interconnected systems of mycelium and rhizomes. We approach cultural work as an organic, decentralized process where knowledge, resources, and opportunities flow equitably across all nodes in the network. By acting both visibly and invisibly, we play supportive roles at multiple levels – sometimes as facilitators, sometimes as silent connectors – helping communities form their own living “cells” of creativity and action. This approach enables initiatives to grow, adapt, and link with others, creating resilient ecosystems rather than isolated projects. We value horizontal participation, where each participant is both a contributor and a beneficiary, and decisions emerge collectively. Like mycelium spreading nutrients underground, we cultivate unseen connections that sustain visible change, fostering a dynamic cultural landscape that is alive, responsive, and self-renewing.
Mapping Cultural Connections
We are building a comprehensive cultural map covering six governorates in southern Tunisia—capturing key actors, their relationships, and potential areas for collaboration.
Strengthening Partnerships
We work with cultural institutions, artists, civil society, and the private sector to spark connections and build lasting collaborations that sustain the cultural landscape.
Public Map
We will launch the map publicly, making it available both digitally and in print, and will host dialogue sessions to discuss how to use it as a living resource for the sector.
As we carry out this experiment, we are asking ourselves:
- How can we create a more independent and sustainable cultural ecosystem in southern Tunisia?
- What strategies can help cultural actors collaborate more effectively across different sectors?
- How can mapping relationships and interactions strengthen long-term partnerships and cultural sustainability?
- What role does data-driven decision-making play in shaping the future of cultural initiatives?
- How do we leave everyone we interact with—especially through long-term programs—with meaningful and lasting change?
- How can we exchange cultural practices and methodologies effectively with other institutions and practitioners?
- How do we turn evaluation feedback into actionable, applicable outcomes?
- What strategies can help us empower and enable cultural actors in their different roles more effectively?
Meet the team
Danseurs Citoyens Sud is a progressive, youth-led cultural movement founded in 2015 in southern Tunisia. We work to protect artistic freedom and cultural rights, empower emerging performing and visual artists, and make culture accessible in underserved and marginalized communities. Our eight-member team blends artistic talent with cultural management expertise, building bridges between local creativity and international opportunities.
We see art not just as expression, but as a tool for resistance, social change, and radical imagination. We cultivate a vibrant cultural ecosystem where imagination crosses into other vital fields, sparking growth, resilience, and community impact.