1️⃣Creative radar
Finding creatives to work with
Where can we find local creatives to work with?
Partnering with local cultural, artistic, and creative communities can strengthen citizen-led actions. Artists and creatives bring new perspectives, amplify underrepresented voices, and increase the visibility and emotional impact of your initiative. And the good news? Many creatives are just as concerned with the climate and social issues as you are.
This section offers practical ways to identify and connect with artists, designers, and cultural practitioners, locally and across Europe, through networks like the New European Bauhaus and Distributed Design Platform.
Finding the right creatives matters
Finding the right creatives can feel overwhelming, especially without existing ties to the cultural sector. But creatives don’t only exist in galleries or design firms—they’re in local associations, grassroots collectives, and emerging networks. Knowing where and how to look will speed up outreach and make collaboration more intentional, strategic, and ultimately more impactful.
How to get started?
To start, clarify what role creatives should play in your Citizen Observatory (CO). Use the culture/SHIFT framework to guide your thinking:
What kind of role are you looking for?
Conceptual and strategic thinker?
Workshop facilitator or community engager?
Someone producing specific creative outputs?
Who should they work with?
CO members, specific communities, or the general public?
What level of experience is needed?
Do you need a seasoned professional or is it an opportunity for emerging talent?
What creative skills are essential?
Workshop design, graphic facilitation, participatory art, speculative design, etc.
Experience with specific groups (e.g., children, policy-makers, academic settings)?
Once you’ve defined your needs, start mapping potential partners:
Step 1: Identify Creative Nodes
Look for hubs and networks that gather creative talent:
Local community
Cultural associations, design schools, fab labs, community art centers.
European networks
Distributed Design Platform: A go-to place for makers, designers, and digital creatives → explore Distributed Design Talent.
New European Bauhaus Dashboard: Find projects and people combining sustainability, inclusivity, and aesthetics → visit NEB Platform.
Step 2: Run a Stakeholder Mapping
Use the Stakeholder Map by SISCODE Project to evaluate the relevance and dynamics of local creatives and organisations.
This framework was designed to help you understand the following:
Local creatives’ influence and reach
Existing collaborations
Shared values and motivations
Useful resources
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