Towards co-sharing
An institutional cultural cooperative? A central warehouse? It sounds like a utopia. However, if we were to ignore the first signs of resistance and think about it on a more sustainable scale –  that of a housing estate, district or a whole city – the idea begins to sound more interesting and possibly quite real. The examples of various cooperative and co-sharing initiatives show that it is possible to create a common resource that would involve institutional entities. Operating models may vary. Institutions may open their storage facilities to the needs of local artists. Institutions of a similar type (museums, theatres, cinemas, etc.) may attempt to create an exchange and cooperation network associated with circulating resources. ‘Storage’ does not necessarily have to mean a physical space (although it may); it can be manifested in a virtual space. It is important for the cultural sector to come together against wasting resources and create systems for cooperating over sharing goods. Then, single-use architecture may get a chance to become multiple-use architecture, unnecessary furniture may be put into circulation and unused equipment may finally be used again. Such a practice of sharing resources, which is not incidental but constitutes an element of the cultural bloodstream, would not only ease the burden on the environment and represent an ethical shift, but also provide an impetus for changing the model of how culture functions.

Get inspired:
> Warsaw-based Spółdzielnia Kultury Culture Cooperative brings together institutions, non-governmental organisations, informal initiatives and all interested individuals focused on local activities. It promotes the idea of the free circulation of goods and sharing of resources that can be put into common use. This includes, among other things, space for activities, equipment and materials. The only criteria are that the activities must be neighbourly, open and non-commercial. Read more: Spółdzielnia. 
 
> Materials for the Arts is a leading New York centre dedicated to resource reuse. It collects a wide range of materials donated by local companies, communities, fashion houses, TV productions, and corporations for reusing. Resources are made available free of charge to creatives, schools, civic organisations, city agencies.