Shaping Better Futures: The Evolving Role of Cultural Organizations | The relationship between cultural organisations and society is changing. As societies face fundamental technological, environmental and social transformations, cultural organisations are also re-evaluating their purpose.
In addition to presenting culture and preserving cultural heritage, they are increasingly becoming spaces for critical reflection, creativity, collaboration and the creation of public value. This expanded role requires them to balance their mission with financial realities. At the same time, however, they should retain their independence as spaces for critical dialogue, diverse perspectives and the imagination of alternative futures.
This discussion explores the key changes shaping the cultural sector and reflects on how cultural organisations can remain relevant and influential whilst contributing to a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable future.
The keynote will be given by Anja Zorko, who is the Head of the Centre for Creativity in Slovenia. The Centre for Creativity (CfC) is Slovenia’s national platform for the development of cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI), operating within the Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO).
Anja develops and leads the CfC’s flagship programmes, including the Made in Slovenia platform, creativity and fashion incubators, the CfC partner network, and Slovenian presentations at international design events such as Milan Design Week, Vienna Design Week and others. She also leads national and international initiatives, including the Slovenian national contact point for the New European Bauhaus project, and develops and coordinates projects funded under the EU’s cohesion policy programmes – Interreg, Horizon and Creative Europe – as well as privately funded initiatives. She also acts as an adviser to ministries, institutions and organisations in the fields of cultural policy, innovation, sustainable development and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Foto: Luka Cjuha