Tomorrow I’ll be taking a plane ride to Paris to meet up with thirty-nine other young cultural leaders and misfits to discuss the notion of cultural rights as a fundamental right for every citizen.

The democratization of art and culture has never before been more possible than it is now with the web. It’s why we were able to create an independent show like Epic Fu. It’s why many of us are now able to make a living online. It’s also why we must do everything in our power to protect it as a platform for creativity and innovation.

I’m excited to be included in these talks and want to make sure that I include you as well. I’d like to hear what your thoughts are on this subject, so I can share it with the group in Paris.

I’ll be keeping this blog, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr/Instagram updated with information videos and photos as they come along. So make sure to check in if you’re interested in this topic.

Should cultural rights be a fundamental human right? Should we be able to create without restriction? How does it tie into the current state of politics and technology? And what does it mean as cultural experiences becomes more fractured? How does it separate, how does it unify?

Should be a very interesting discussion. :)

*Cultural Leadership International program, the British Council aims to help a new generation of cultural leaders play an active role in building a more open and tolerant society.

Though the letter to the membership and the press release went out simultaneously, some members may not have received it. In the interest of the community, the Communications Committee chairperson, Matt Meeks, and Exec. Director, Elisabeth Flack, has OK’d it being blogged. Here it is:

Dear Academy Members,

Since the Streamy Awards earlier this year, the IAWTV and the founders of the Streamy Awards have been discussing the future involvement of the IAWTV with the Streamy Awards. It has been a desire of both the IAWTV and the Streamy Awards founders to find a way to work together. After much deliberation, multiple offers and thoughtful consideration by the IAWTV’s Awards Committee and Board of Directors, the Board has decided that the IAWTV should own, control and develop its own annual awards event. This decision means the IAWTV will not serve as the Steamy Awards voting body or be in partnership with the Streamy Awards going forward.

This decision did not come easily and there are many reasons for it. Here are the primary factors:

· Non-Profit vs. For-Profit: Due to the IAWTV’s legal structure as a non-profit entity with the mandate to serve the community for which it was established, all profits from an award show in which the IAWTV is involved should go back to the Web television community through programs and resources established by the IAWTV. The Streamy Awards is currently structured as a for-profit entity. We have found it impossible to harmonize these competing objectives and desired ends.

· By the Community, For the Community. IAWTV membership is growing now that open enrollment is in place. We have an awesome Executive Director, a fantastic, professional Board of Directors, and terrific members taking leadership roles at a grass-roots level. Due to these realities, we agreed producing our own awards event is possible and makes sense. Therefore, we believe it is important that the IAWTV create a non-profit award show for the community, by the community that benefits the community.

· Financial Responsibility. The primary obligation of the Board is to do what is financially responsible for the organization. We have very limited funds presently at the IAWTV. If we were to work with a for-profit entity to produce an ambitious event for the sake of maximizing profits, we would likely put the IAWTV under severe financial stress. We decided it is best to live within our means and not spend money we do not have.

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I’ve been in full-on work mode lately, but wanted to make sure you knew that Epic Fu is now on Google TV. Sweet!