Strengthening Creative Collaboration
2025-01-05
The collaboration between ArtNexus and Creative Mentorship, launched in early 2024, has set a new standard for fostering creativity and professional growth among cultural and creative professionals in the Western Balkans and beyond. This educational program was designed to empower participants with the tools, knowledge, and skills necessary to excel in their respective fields while fostering cross-regional collaboration.
From March to December 2024, the program delivered six online workshops addressing crucial topics such as presentation skills, motivation, project management, and communication. With over 60 participants from Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Serbia, and Turkey, the initiative fostered knowledge exchange and professional growth across borders. By enhancing soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence, the program has significantly contributed to the sustainability of the artistic and cultural sectors in the target regions.
The program’s six workshops covered essential topics that focused on personal growth, communication, and project management, including:
- Presentation Skills Workshop: Developing effective presentation techniques and building confidence in public speaking.
- Motivation Workshop: Exploring methods to sustain motivation and overcome challenges in creative work.
- Project Logic Workshop: Understanding the fundamentals of project planning and execution.
- Effective and Efficient Communication Workshop: Enhancing communication strategies for more impactful collaboration.
- Understanding the Project Logic Workshop: Delving deeper into logical frameworks for successful project outcomes.
- Get Unstuck and GROW Workshop: Introducing tools for personal and professional development.
Each workshop was facilitated by internationally recognized trainers, providing practical tools and strategies that participants could apply directly to their work.
Towards a Stronger Cultural Sector
This partnership not only strengthened the skills of individuals but also empowered organizations, institutions, and initiatives through capacity building. A key additional benefit was the reliance on the well-established network of Creative Mentorship, which gathers over 350 professionals in the fields of culture and the arts from across the Western Balkans. The program’s inclusive approach emphasized fostering networking opportunities and cross-cultural collaboration.
About Creative Mentorship
Creative Mentorship, an independent, non-profit, and non-governmental organization based in Belgrade, Serbia, has over 13 years of experience developing and implementing mentoring and capacity-building programs in Serbia and abroad. Partnering with ArtNexus, an international program for cultural and development cooperation bridging cultural policy with international development initiatives, the collaboration launched an educational program tailored to the needs of cultural and creative professionals.
Looking Ahead
The success of this collaboration has not only left a lasting impact on its participants but also set the foundation for future initiatives aimed at strengthening the creative and cultural sectors. With ongoing efforts to secure funding for subsequent projects, ArtNexus and Creative Mentorship are committed to building on this momentum and continuing to empower the next generation of cultural professionals.
For more information about Creative Mentorship, visit their website.
