Turntables

Turntables supports creative practitioners across the globe by building future skills, fostering networks and supporting artistic collaboration.

Many artists from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America face systemic barriers which prevent them from gaining visibility and recognition as well as accessing markets and resources. At the same time, digital and social transformations are changing the nature of work in the cultural and creative industries. Being an artist or creative professional now relies heavily on entrepreneurship, global connectedness and digital skills, competencies often best learned outside classrooms – in communities of practice.

Turntables is a programme that responds to such a context. With different projects, it fosters a transcultural community of practice through new training sessions, knowledge sharing and cultural mobility. 
 

DISCOVER OUR LEARNINGS, BEST PRACTICES AND INSIGHTS FROM TURNTABLES

The report 'Creative Communities in Motion' is a practical guide to building creative livelihoods for young people. It was created for civil society organisations, higher education institutions, policymakers and youth work professionals working across culture, education, and international cooperation. It explores how creative work is changing — and what kinds of learning ecosystems, partnerships, and skills development approaches are needed in response. It offers reflections as well as practical insights into training and collaboration models. May 2026. 
Download report here (PDF)

'Fostering Transcultural Communities of Practice' is a concise guide on Best Practices for building and maintaining transnational arts communities with digital tools to foster the sharing of skills, knowledge and experiences. It is for cultural leaders and practitioners across cultures. October 2025.
Download guide here (PDF)

The toolkit 'Learning Labs: Southeast Asia' offers valuable sector insights and the training developed by our partner, Mekong Cultural Hub, on 'Digital Skills for Arts Administration'. June 2025.
Download toolkit here (PDF)

Projects


Turntables: LEARN! 

  • 2024-2026
  • Partners: Zurich University of the Arts / Zurich Centre for Creative Economies (Switzerland), Black Rhino VR (Kenya), Meta Arts (India), Mekong Cultural Hub (Southeast Asia); funded by Movetia.

Turntables: LEARN! aimed to improve livelihood pathways for young creative practitioners and support their ability to make a living in the arts. Bringing together civil society organisations, universities, artists and cultural practitioners across Switzerland, India, Southeast Asia and Kenya, it strengthened the capacity of civil society organisations and higher education institutions to design sustainable training and international exchange formats. Together, they explored how creative practitioners can navigate career pathways alongside artistic practice. Over the course of the project:  

  • 300+ young creative practitioners participated in activities and exchanges.  
  • 4 trainings were co-developed through Learning Labs, on Augmented Reality and Executive Skills, Digital Skills for Arts Administration, and Digital Archiving of Performing Arts.  
  • 300+ artists, educators, cultural professionals, and policymakers were connected through workshops, online roundtables and a symposium in Switzerland. 


Turntables: CONNECT!

  • Since 2022 (ongoing)

Turntables: CONNECT! offers cultural practitioners across the globe organised live and online encounters (like skill sharing, matchmaking sessions, artist talks, etc.) in which they can gain access to opportunities, present themselves and meet new contacts. It fosters a lively, global community of artistic practice. At the heart of this community is the artlink Directory, a digital gateway for artists and cultural practitioners across the globe.

Are you a cultural practitioner who took part in one of our programmes? The Directory helps you to:

  • Showcase your work to relevant audiences.
  • Expand social and professional networks through a community of support.
  • Connect with peers and potential collaborators.
  • Keep in touch with contacts you may have met through artlink.
  • Gain access to professional development opportunities.

Join the artlink directory!