DI/S Case Studies: KONTEJNER - Sustainable venue management
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 takeaway from the Zagreb case study is that innovative practices and development can be turned into a catalyst for a new organisational ecosystem that favours circular economy models and social entrepreneurship, generating new benefits for the broader cultural sector.
“Brainwaves & Brand Stories — Neuroscientific Storytelling” workshop at KONTEJNER, Zagreb; organized by HURA - The Croatian Association of Communication Agencies. Photo: Marko Miščević
Kontejner, Zagreb, Croatia
DI/S Case Study KONTEJNER - Sustainable venue management
The Zagreb case study revolves around experimenting with economic sustainability and community engagement for Kontejner’s new venue, a small centre for contemporary art practices. The goal for Kontejner was to create more sustainable and diversified funding to support its new venue, and to foster community development by reaching new audiences and partners, and converting them into supporters of the venue.
Kontejner developed and tested a series of experimental actions, including launching a new company, monetizing spatial resources, designing membership packages for citizens and partners, and collaborating with architectural experts to explore new uses for the venue’s outdoor space.
Instead of working with the usual ones from the cultural/creative, academic and scientific sector, Kontejner collaborated with new partners from the business sector such as private companies, professional associations and corporations.
A key takeaway from this case study is that innovative practices and development can be turned into a catalyst for a new organisational ecosystem that favours circular economy models and social entrepreneurship, generating new benefits for the broader cultural sector.
The Zagreb pilot project is all about experimenting with sustainable venue management.
We wanted to strengthen connection with our existing audiences while reaching new ones.
The membership packages for our audiences /are tailored/ to turn them into contributors.
Jadrana Ćurković.
Opening night at KONTEJNER, Zagreb; September 2023. Photo: Sanja Bistričić Srića.
New visual identity for the KONTEJNER venue by studio Kuna zlatica from Zagreb - outdoor signalization. Photo: Sanja Bistričić Srića.
“Welcome to KONTEJNER” entry screen provided by partners Samsung, showcasing the new visual identity by studio Kuna zlatica. Photo: Sanja Bistričić Srića.
Design for multipurpose outdoor furniture at KONTEJNER, Zagreb, by Jakov Habjan and Hrvoje Spudić.
KONTEJNER team photo: Mario Gracin, Olga Majcen Linn, Sunčica Ostoić, Jadrana Ćurković, Tereza Teklić, William Linn, Davorka Begović, Ana Bedenko and Ena Hodžić. Photo: Sanja Bistričić Srića.
Download DI/S Case Study Kontejner - Experiments with sustainable venue management
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