Incubator 2025: Istanbul
In 2025, our Incubator training programme took over the heart of Istanbul, Türkiye, for a retreat hosted by our member Sanatatak.
View the Incubator 2026 photo album here
With the help of our team of experienced international mentors, participants refined their cultural project ideas to get ready to apply to the European funding scheme of their choice. The training retreat also offered trainees invaluable opportunities to network and connect with other socio-culture professionals from all over Europe and beyond. A rich programme took them through Istanbul's vibrant cultural life, including visits to the 18th Istanbul Biennial.
This edition of the programme dedicated a special focus to the inclusion and cultural participation of marginalised groups, from an intersectional and inter-generational perspective.
Download the ncubator 2025 brochure here
Marija Popović (Zmaja) has worked as a project manager, trainer, external evaluator and consultant since 2000. She is currently a producer and international cooperation manager at the Institution Student Cultural Centre in Novi Sad, and an EU projects coordinator at the EXIT Foundation. She has managed EU projects in the fields of human rights, social inclusion, youth and culture, and has extensive experience with Erasmus+. Zmaja is also a member of the Team Europe of the DEU in Serbia.
Giles Agis has developed and delivered carnival arts and festival events across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia over the past thirty years. In the last two decades his focus has been on the capacity building of a diverse range global majority, disabled and working class emerging and professional arts, cultural operators, and arts organisations. Since 2019 he has worked at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival as Carnival & Community Manager, where he has developed an annual programme of arts engagement activities that culminates in Edinburgh Festival Carnival one of Scotland's largest multicultural events.
Toni Attard is the founder and director of Culture Venture, Malta’s leading firm in consultancy and training for the cultural and creative sectors. He was previously the director of strategy at Malta's Arts Council, and served as a creative economy advisor within the Ministry of Finance, with a view to developing a national strategy for the cultural and creative industries. Among other tasks, he has also lead numerous cultural projects and established ten public arts funding programmes.
Nevra Arslantürk has a background in management and consultancy in the private sector. Over the course of her career, she has managed a total of 61 projects, working one-on-one with over 100 artists, helping them develop their skills and achieve their goals. Most recently, she coordinated the Artistic Production and Intercity Network Development programmes within the CultureCIVIC project. Currently, as hospitality coordinator at IKSV, she is responsible for guest relations at all art festivals. She is also a facilitator of Philosophy for Children (P4C) and creative drama.
Tuesday, October 7, Opening
15:00–17:30 Arrival and registration
17:30–19:30 Welcome by host, presentation of the programme, and “Get to know each other” session
19:30–21:30 Dinner at the hotel, Turkish street food and traditional live music
21:30–22:00 Performance by Ertuğrul Berhan Yıldız: The “Zanaat Tapes”
Wednesday, October 8
07:30–09:00 Breakfast
09:15–10:00 Welcome and introduction
10:00–13:00 First round of sessions with experts, introduction in small peer groups / one-to-one sessions / individual working time
13:00–14:30 Lunch
14:30–15:00 Tips and tricks for European projects: pitching
15:00–16:00 Second round of mentoring with experts
16:00–16:30 Walk to one of the Istanbul Biennale venues
16:30–17:30 Visit: Galata Greek School, recently renovated historical building
18:30–20:00 Dinner at the Karaköy Fish Market
20:30 Concert at Babylon for Akbank Sanat Jazz Festival: Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez
Thursday, October 9
09:15–09:45 Welcome and overview of the day
09:45–12:30 Third round of mentoring sessions with experts and individual work on project applications and/or pitching
13:00–14:00 Lunch
14:00–15:30 Open Space workshops
17:00–19:30 Visit to Türkiye İş Bankası Resim ve Heykel Müzesi, cocktail and dinner at the museum
19:30 Night out: İstiklal Caddesi / Taksim / Beyoğlu
Friday, October 10
09:45–10:00 Welcome and overview of the day
10:00–11:30 Project pitching
11:30–12:00 Coffee break
12:00–13:00 Closing session and Sanatatak Turgay Sönmez Criticism Award
13:00–15:00 Lunch and departure