DI/S - Digital Inter/Section, a project supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission, has released four case studies of new business models aimed at supporting digital arts organisations and the creative sector. A key find is that funding through a diversification of income streams, independent of public or private funding, creates stability and sustainability. KIKK in Belgium has developed a members' club with a unique programme that secures funding for its exhibition space that is open around the year. The case studies and other resources are available as open source through the project’s website.

KIKK, Namur, Belgium
DI/S Case Study KIKK - Klub Pavillon

Klub Pavillion raises awareness of sponsorship dedicated to digital creativity through the creation of a members' club that supports a new exhibition space.

In 2022 KIKK opened an exhibition space in Namur (Belgium) dedicated to the digital experience that increased the organisation's dependence on public funding. To reduce this dependence, KIKK has looked into developing new private support through a members' club, based on adherence to the project and its values, that guarantees a unique offer to members while securing funding for an exhibition space for digital art that is open around the year. Link to the full case study below.

In 2020 we decided to make a transition from an event based model to a permanent structure. 

Now we have opened a space for public awareness where accessibility of content is the key.

Gilles, Bazelaire CEO and Founder

Several solutions to diversify income streams have been tried and developed, such as creating traveling exhibitions funded by successive rentals and developing a so-called horeca area that combines hotel, restaurant and catering. Integral to KIKK - Klub Pavillon, which is launching in January 2025, is to unite the community of individual and professional patrons around the values of the project such as education, awareness, scientific popularization and to offer a unique programme. 

A couple of takeaways from this case study are the importance of strategic analysis to align the club’s offer with the Pavillion’s programme and of working towards a deadline and a fixed sum for the Pavillion Klub patronage.

Our first challenge was to conduct an audit of our meaningful and significant offering, and to map our network of potential partners and members. As a small organisation, we need to leverage what already exists and ensure a good balance between sponsorship packages and talent offerings with some of the selected partners.

Chloé Gerard, Partnership Manager.

Download Case Study KIKK - Klub Pavillon
Download the report The Business of Digital Art: Economic Models and Insights Into the Future on DI/S Digital Inter/Section website.
Interviews on YouTube