Culture, creativity and the skills of the future

May was a month of intense activity for the ARTeria Foundation, featuring international meetings and discussions on the future of culture, education and new technologies. In this edition of the newsletter, we show how projects carried out in collaboration with partners from across Europe combine creativity, future skills, cultural heritage and a responsible approach to digital transformation.

We discussed the role of culture in the green transition during GreenCCIrcle activities, took part in European debates on AI and creativity in Brussels, developed international literary and artistic collaborations as part of the PesText Festival, and supported young people working in the creative sector through the Empowering Youth Talents and Mediate Your Future projects.

It is becoming increasingly clear that contemporary culture today needs not only new tools, but above all a space for critical reflection, experimentation and the development of skills that enable us to function consciously in a rapidly changing world. That is why in this issue you will also find information about the latest results of the YOUR.AI project, a planned hackathon for young creators, international partner events, and conferences dedicated to skills, education and social innovation.

We invite you to read, listen to our podcasts, make use of our educational materials and follow our upcoming activities

Wenancjusz Ochmann
Vice-President of the ARTeria Foundation

MAY 2026

Green CCircle – 3rd Local Living Lab in Poland

On 18 May 2026, the third meeting in the Local Living Lab series, organised as part of the Green CCircle project, took place at Stacja Kultury in Pyskowice. The meeting was chaired by Wenancjusz Ochmann, and the event was attended by representatives of local government, cultural institutions, social organisations, artists and organisers of environmental and educational activities – participants included, amongst others, Piotr Magda – Deputy Mayor of Pyskowice, Natalia Polok – eco-advisor to the municipality of Pyskowice, Michał Kołodziej from the Department of Economy and Environmental Protection, Beata Antosik – Director of MOKiS Pyskowice and Councillor for Gliwice County, as well as artists, educators and representatives of social organisations.

The meeting focused on the role of culture and art in building environmental awareness and the challenges associated with climate education for various social groups. Participants emphasised the need to develop activities based on responsibility, the creative process and long-term thinking, rather than the rapid production of items with a short lifespan. The difficulties associated with the cost of eco-friendly materials and the implementation of more sustainable production models were also discussed.

A key element of the discussion was the local social and environmental initiatives taking place in Pyskowice, such as clothes and plant swaps, neighbourhood markets, eco-picnics, nature walks and gardening activities involving senior citizens and local residents. The important role of artists and cultural institutions in communicating environmental issues through workshops, visual activities and events that bring the local community together was also highlighted.

The meeting demonstrated that effective environmental change requires cross-sectoral cooperation, community building and intergenerational activities.

Workshop in Matera, Italy

On 27 May 2026, the GreenCCIrcle project partners met in Matera, Italy, and online to review activities to date and discuss the next stages of the project. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss progress, the development of tools supporting the green transition of the cultural and creative sectors, and the planning of further activities related to the project’s sustainability.

A key element of the programme was the 3rd Living Lab, organised by Materahub and AIKU in collaboration with Esperimenti Architettonici – an organisation dedicated to innovative urban regeneration, social design and engaging residents in the co-creation of spaces and services. The workshops were practical in nature and centred on the concept of the circular economy and the design of so-called ‘anti-souvenirs’. Participants worked on concepts for locally produced, responsibly made items, utilising materials, history and the identity of the place ( ). The starting point was a reflection on how to move away from mass-produced souvenirs towards more conscious, sustainable and meaningful forms of design.

The meeting in Matera demonstrated that GreenCCIrcle is not only an exchange of knowledge between partners, but also a space for testing specific solutions and developing new models of cooperation based on a sustainable approach to culture, design and local production.

Young talents in the creative sector – international interviews in the Empowering Youth Talents project

As part of the “Empowering Youth Talents” project, partners from Poland, Italy, Belgium and North Macedonia are conducting a series of interviews and focus group sessions with young creators, artists and individuals working in the cultural and creative sectors (CCIs).

The aim of these discussions is to gain a better understanding of the challenges, needs and skills necessary for the development of young people’s creative careers. Participants share their experiences relating to, amongst other things, building an artistic career, access to development opportunities, the role of mentors and communities, as well as the financial, social and educational barriers that affect their creative work.

The interviews are conducted using a common research tool developed by the project partnership. The discussions cover topics related to future-ready skills, entrepreneurship, mental resilience, collaboration, creativity, and the use of gamification and escape room methods in youth education.

The findings and recommendations gathered during the research will be used to develop the publication “Empowering Youth Creativity – The Talent Transformation Handbook”. The Handbook will serve as a practical guide supporting the development of young talent in the cultural and creative sectors by combining theory, practical tools and innovative learning methods.

Not just technology. On the role of culture in the AI era – #SDECE2026

European culture and the creative sector are currently facing one of the most significant moments in recent years. During the #SDECE2026 event in Brussels, it became clear that the question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will change the creative sector, but who will influence the nature of that change.

Debates on AI are often dominated by a narrative focused on automation, efficiency and the replacement of humans. Meanwhile, for culture and the creative sectors, the stakes are much higher – it is about preserving cultural diversity, creative autonomy, local perspectives and the human presence in creative processes.

During #SDECE2026, the idea of ‘Reflective AI’ resonated particularly strongly – an approach in which artificial intelligence is not merely a productivity tool, but also a space for reflection on how we create, collaborate and define creativity in a changing world.

The meeting also demonstrated that the creative sector cannot merely be a recipient of technological change. It must actively participate in shaping it. We need space to experiment, collaborate and develop AI capabilities on our own terms, with care for people, culture and democratic values.

In a world of developing artificial intelligence, it is culture that can become one of Europe’s most important assets – a source of unique perspectives, critical thinking and creativity that cannot be automated.

Culture, literature and nature – the spring edition of the PesText Festival 2026 has come to an end

The spring edition of the international literary and artistic events organised as part of the PesText Festival 2026–2027, under the project “City and Nature – Harmony and Diversity; V4 Literary and Artistic Relations”, funded by the Visegrad Fund, has come to an end. The ARTeria Foundation is a partner in the project.

The project focused on building new relationships between culture, urban space and nature, as well as on strengthening artistic and literary cooperation between the countries of the Visegrad Group. The organisers emphasised the importance of creating new forms of dialogue between creators and audiences, and the need for a stronger connection between culture and the local environment, nature, and the linguistic diversity of Central Europe.

The programme of events held in Budapest included, amongst others, a meeting with Wojciech Tochman – one of the most important representatives of the Polish school of literary reportage, the international poetry evening ‘Urban Forests’, the “Flash in Translation” literary workshops, and events dedicated to contemporary illustration and graphic design featuring Agata Dudek and Acapulco Studio.

The programme combined literature, visual arts, music and multidisciplinary activities, creating a space for discussion on the relationship between humans and nature, the city and contemporary culture. A special focus was placed on promoting literature and artists from the V4 countries and developing translation and artistic cooperation between the project partners.

And this autumn, we invite you to join us for further events, including:

• International Literary Platform – City & Nature Edition II
  
• V4 Illustration Lab II
  
• V4 Drama Lab – Translation, Stage and Dialogue

Create, act, inspire – discover the results of the Mediate Your Future! project

The “Mediate Your Future!” project supports young people in discovering the potential of culture, heritage and social action through tools related to cultural mediation, education and creativity. The initiative demonstrates how history, art, science and digital culture can help build more engaged and informed communities.

The first educational materials and practical tools developed by the international partnership are now available on the project website. These include, amongst others:

• Active Citizens Booklet
• Toolbox for Creation
• Best Practices Guide
• Assessment Tool

The materials have been prepared for young people, educators, youth workers and anyone interested in culture, social participation and the development of future-oriented skills. The tools help to develop skills related to project work, digital storytelling, collaboration, creativity and active participation in social life.

The project highlights that culture can be a space for building dialogue, mutual understanding and real social change. Thanks to the available materials, young people can develop their own ideas and turn them into actions that respond to the needs of local communities.

How to create with AI in a conscious and creative way? – the YOUR.AI project

The results of the YOUR.AI project – an international initiative supporting young artists in the conscious, creative and responsible use of artificial intelligence in artistic practice – are now available online. These include free training modules that help develop skills related to the use of AI in artistic and professional practice. The programme combines creative, technological and critical perspectives, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with the development of artificial intelligence in culture.

Participants will learn, amongst other things:

• how to use AI in the creative process,
  
• how to develop their own artistic style with the support of new technologies,
  
• what copyright and authorship mean in the age of AI,
  
• how to use AI tools responsibly and ethically,
  
• how to develop an artistic career and secure funding for projects,
  
• how to create a portfolio of works using AI.

The programme also covers issues related to critical thinking about AI, the human–technology relationship, the impact of AI on culture and society, as well as issues of sustainability, inclusivity and representation in visual culture.

One of the project’s modules, run by the ARTeria Foundation, focuses on ethics, the responsible use of AI, copyright, and the impact of technology on culture and the environment.

The training sessions are practical and interactive – participants will learn about both technological tools and examples of contemporary artistic practices utilising AI.

AI, art and experimentation – join us for the YOUR.AI hackathon

The ARTeria Foundation invites young artists to take part in a hackathon organised as part of the YOUR.AI project.

The event is aimed at people aged 16–30 who are interested in art, culture, new technologies and the creative use of artificial intelligence in artistic activities.

The hackathon’s theme will be ‘Artificial intelligence as a collaborator’. The event will focus on thinking of AI not only as a tool, but also as a creative partner supporting the creative process, experimentation and the development of new forms of artistic expression.

Participants will work on themes such as identity and culture, the city of the future, nature and climate, invisible emotions, missing data and privacy in the world of algorithms. Their work will be inspired by the practices of contemporary artists who utilise AI in art and culture.

The end result will be the creation of original digital works, which will be presented as part of the international exhibition of the YOUR.AI project.

The hackathon will also be an opportunity to develop skills related to the creative use of AI, the ethics of new technologies, critical thinking, and building one’s own artistic path.

The dates for the Polish edition of the event will be announced shortly.

The future of culture begins with skills – the ARTeria Foundation at the Creative Pact for Skills

The ARTeria Foundation, as a member of the Creative Pact for Skills, will take part in the 8th Creative Pact for Skills Plenary, which will take place on 5 June 2026.

The meeting will bring together organisations, experts, institutions and European partners involved in the development of skills in the cultural and creative sectors. The event programme will include discussions on digital skills, entrepreneurship, the green transition, cross-sectoral innovation, micro-qualifications and regional partnerships for skills development.

Discussions on Creative Skills Week 2026 and the future of the European skills ecosystem for the cultural and creative sectors will also feature prominently.

The contemporary culture and arts sector is changing rapidly – the development of technology, artificial intelligence, and new models of work and collaboration means that skills are now one of the key assets of creators and cultural organisations. Not only artistic skills, but also digital, entrepreneurial, social and cross-sectoral competences are becoming increasingly important, enabling people to function in an international and rapidly changing environment.

The Creative Pact for Skills creates a space for jointly developing solutions that support skills development, professional mobility and the building of more resilient and inclusive cultural and creative sectors in Europe.

The ARTeria Foundation’s participation in the event also provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and develop international cooperation around education, innovation and the future of work in the cultural sector.

How to build projects for the future? ARTeria at the Impacto Networking Event 2026

The ARTeria Foundation, as a member of the IMPACTO network, will take part in the next edition of the Impacto Networking Event, which will take place on 16 June 2026.

The meeting will focus on future opportunities for collaboration within the network, particularly in areas related to democracy, social innovation, education and the social economy. The aim of the event is to create a space for exchanging experiences, presenting project ideas and building international partnerships around future Horizon Europe calls.

Contemporary social and technological challenges increasingly demonstrate that effective action in the fields of culture, education and innovation requires cross-sectoral cooperation and the development of international cooperation networks. Projects combining social, digital and civic competences with the responsible use of new technologies are of particular importance today.

The ARTeria Foundation’s participation in the event will provide an opportunity to develop European partnerships and exchange experiences related to projects at the intersection of culture, education, social innovation and AI.

Cultural heritage, gamification and new technologies – ARTeria in Mons

The ARTeria Foundation will take part in an international partners’ meeting and training session for the Civic Heritage Quest project, which will take place from 23–26 June 2026 in Mons, Belgium.

The Civic Heritage Quest project is aimed at young people, educators and youth workers. Its aim is to increase young people’s engagement with cultural heritage through the use of digital tools, storytelling and gamification methods.

During the meeting in Mons, project partners will work together to develop engaging educational experiences based on storytelling, interactive challenges and the exploration of cultural heritage through modern technologies. The training will also provide an opportunity to exchange experiences regarding the creation of digital educational materials and methods of working with young people.

As part of the project, a mobile app and web platform will be developed, featuring 18 interactive cultural quests designed to support the development of civic engagement, intercultural dialogue, and the building of a sense of identity and belonging.

The project website will be available soon!

Art, AI and the future of creativity – the YOUR.AI conference in Gliwice

We invite you to take part in the international conference summarising the YOUR.AI project, which will take place on 29 July 2026 at the Ruins of the Victoria Theatre in Gliwice.

The event will be attended by project partners, artists, educators and experts from Poland, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands. The conference will provide an opportunity to jointly review the activities carried out as part of the project and to discuss the future of art, education and new AI technologies in the creative sector.

The YOUR.AI project is a transnational initiative supporting young artists and creators, particularly those from socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The aim of the project is to develop the skills needed for the informed, creative and responsible use of artificial intelligence in artistic and professional practice.

In the face of dynamic changes taking place in culture and the creative industries, the project combines digital education, the development of future-oriented skills, artistic exploration and critical reflection on the role of AI in the contemporary world.

The conference will serve as a space for exchanging experiences, presenting the project’s results, and bringing together the international artistic and educational community working at the intersection of art, technology and social innovation.

We will publish the detailed programme for the event shortly.

We encourage you to save the date!

AI, copyright and creativity – the ARTeria Foundation’s podcast series launches The ARTeria Foundation invites you to listen to a new series of podcasts dedicated to artificial intelligence, culture and the creative sector. The series has been created for those working in culture, education and the creative industries who wish to better understand how the development of AI affects everyday creative practice, copyright and European regulations.

In the coming episodes, we will examine, among other things, the principles of the AI Act, the responsible use of artificial intelligence tools, the transparency of AI-generated content, and questions of authorship and copyright in the era of generative technologies. The podcasts demonstrate that the discussion on AI is not solely about technology, but also about creativity, ethics, responsibility and the changing role of humans in the creative process.

The series covers topics such as:

• the impact of the AI Act on the cultural and creative sectors,
• the responsible and informed use of AI,
• labelling content generated by artificial intelligence,
• copyright and the limits of inspiration,
• authorship in AI-supported processes,
• the importance of human creative input,
• documenting the process of working with AI,
• transparency and content rights management.

The podcasts combine a practical perspective on new technologies with an accessible discussion of current regulations and the challenges facing creators and cultural institutions.

Learning by Playing: How quests transform cultural heritage into an interactive experience

For years, education in the field of cultural heritage has relied mainly on transmission models, in which knowledge is conveyed in a linear fashion through lectures, descriptions or traditional guided tours. Although this approach is still widely used, it is increasingly proving insufficient when working with the younger generation, who have grown up in a digital environment and are accustomed to interactivity. At the same time, there is a growing problem of declining interest in cultural heritage among young people, which is linked both to changes in the ways content is consumed and to the limitations of traditional educational methods.