Turntables

IN SHORT

• 2024-2026
• Directed at cultural practitioners and institutions in contexts with limited resources and infrastructure, with a particular focus on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
• In partnership with the Zurich University of the Arts / Zurich Centre for Creative Economies (Switzerland), Black Rhino VR (Kenya) and Meta Arts (India), Mekong Cultural Hub (Southeast Asia) 

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. Turntables fostered a transcultural community of practice through new training sessions, knowledge sharing and cultural mobility.

Bringing together civil society organisations, universities, artists and cultural practitioners across Switzerland, India, Southeast Asia and Kenya, Turntables 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. 
   

Being an artist or creative professional today relies heavily on entrepreneurship, global connectedness and digital skills, competencies often best learned outside classrooms – in communities of practice. At the same time, digital and social transformations are changing the nature of work in the cultural and creative industries. In this context, Turntables aimed to improve livelihood pathways for young creative practitioners and support their ability to make a living in the arts, strengthening their resilience.  

In the Global South, the project contributed to the sustainable growth of cultural sectors by strengthening the capacities of local cultural organisations, increasing their economic and social significance.