Young Creators Academy

📍 Saturday | Outdoors near České Budějovice | Full Day
Our first meeting is all about getting to know the people you’ll be creating, exploring, and thinking with throughout the semester. We’ll head out on a trip full of self-discovery activities designed to help you find out what excites you, what you’re good at, and how to use those skills in both the cultural world and everyday life.

You’ll get to know the Young Creators Academy program and the team behind it — and start slowly building the community that will accompany you throughout the year.

What to expect?

• Group excursion
• Icebreaker Games

Let’s get started!

With Whom?

👉 Hanka Laschová – from the ECoC ČB2028 team, connecting people and ideas, managing volunteers, and turning ordinary meetings into memorable experiences.

👉 Bianka Machová – from the Young Creators team, ECoC ČB2028. Bianka has been part of the team since the candidacy stage and grew up in the cultural scene. As a teenager, she worked on Budějovický Majáles, later moving to Prague, where she gained experience in event and film production and fashion show organization. She also worked for the Dutch company The Artist and The Others and now focuses on opening doors to culture for more young people, just as she experienced herself.

👉 Matyáš Hansel – from the Young Creators team, ECoC ČB2028. Matyáš will be your “buddy” throughout the Academy. As a teenager, he joined the organization of the One World festival in Ostrava. Later, he introduced festival topics such as human rights and civic engagement to young people during his studies in the Netherlands within the Effective Altruists student organization. His most recent experience comes from Austria, where he was involved in event production at the cultural center Die Bäckerei in Innsbruck.

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The second meeting will show you just how diverse the world of culture can be. From bringing top international dancers to a South Bohemian village (Rezi.dance Komařice), to organizing cutting-edge audiovisual shows in Prague (Lunchmeat Studio), to promoting women in film (Girls in Film Prague).

You’ll also meet people connecting classical art with contemporary topics (Alena Kotyza, National Gallery Prague) or blending symphonic music with other genres (Police Symphony Orchestra).

Expect fast-paced and dynamic presentations of various projects, interactive discussions, and plenty of inspiration for your own projects — whether you want to create, organize, or just broaden your cultural knowledge.

What to expect?

• An overview of what “culture” really means — from classical to digital
• Concrete examples of how culture impacts society
• Inspirational guests from the cultural and creative sector

With Whom?

👉 Lunchmeat Studio – Leading Czech studio pushing the boundaries of audiovisual creation, from immersive projections to lighting design and festival curation. They combine art, technology, and club culture into unique experiences.

👉 Markéta Hrdlička Málková, Rezi.dance Komařice – Founder and creative force behind the Rezi.dance residency in Komařice. She connects the creative process with local communities, showing how art can naturally integrate into life outside big cities.

👉 Alena Kotyza, National Gallery Prague – Educator at the National Gallery Prague, developing discursive programs for adult audiences that offer new perspectives on contemporary and modern art.

👉 David Ostružár, Police Symphony Orchestra – Orchestra manager breaking stereotypes of classical music by combining it with rock, pop, and visual shows, involving hundreds of volunteers in his projects.

📍 Friday–Saturday | Chemnitz, Germany | Two-Day Trip – Departure by bus on November 7, return late at night on November 8

As part of the third session, we’ll head to the German city of Chemnitz, the European Capital of Culture 2025. Expect a two-day trip full of fresh perspectives on what working in culture can mean and how the title of European Capital of Culture can transform a city and the lives of (young) people.

What to expect?

• Visit exciting cultural projects
• Meet young people actively involved in culture with inspiring stories to share
• Learn how young people help shape the European Capital of Culture program

With Whom?

👉 Europas Kulturhauptstadt 2025 Chemnitz – The team behind the Chemnitz 2025 European Capital of Culture program.

📍 Friday | Location to be confirmed | 3:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Culture is created not just by individuals, but primarily by communities — people who share passion, ideas, and the drive to create and make change.

But what if today’s world pushes us more toward competition than collaboration? And what if community is exactly what determines the success of cultural projects? How do you build a community in such an environment? And why is collaboration key to bringing good ideas to life?

This half-day event builds on the previous year and connects you with emerging cultural actors from the South Bohemian Region and beyond!

What to expect?

• Inspirational lecture
• Showcase of best practices
• Workshops focused on your ideas and skills
• Speed networking — a chance to ask anything
• Evening cultural program — full of energy, new ideas, and contacts

With Whom?

To be announced soon

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

What does it really mean to be creative — and how can innovative thinking change the world around us more effectively? Together, we’ll explore how to build a relationship with your creativity, what influences it, and how to use it for the issues that matter to you.

We’ll show that creativity isn’t just about art, but also about finding new paths, thinking differently, and having the courage to experiment.

What to expect?

• Learn how to apply creative thinking to find sustainable and innovative solutions for any challenge
• Create a prototype of your own cultural event
• Space to reflect on your own ideas and topics

With Whom? 

👉 Tomáš Novotný, ECoC ČB2028 team – An experienced facilitator and innovator of cultural projects. As curator of the Creative Minds project, he specializes in connecting art and education. Using design thinking and artistic approaches, he helps people unlock their creative potential, guiding you through a process to turn static thinking into tangible innovation.

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The sixth session will take you into the world of cultural projects that are created not just for people, but with them — and that, together with them, change the environment around them. We’ll explore how to involve the community from the very first idea to sharing the finished work, and the impact such projects can have on society.

Together with our guests, you’ll discover how culture can be a tool for change as well as a space for meeting, collaboration, and addressing issues that matter. You’ll see how communities can shape not only the content of a project but also its impact.

What to expect?

Inspiration from people creating culture with a focus on community impact

Practical tips on thinking about form, not just content

With Whom?

👉 Archa+ – Contemporary stage and cultural laboratory creating innovative performances and community projects. They experiment with both form and content, always emphasizing current societal topics.

👉 Praho! Project – Initiative that revitalizes public spaces through art, bringing current topics directly to the streets. Their projects combine activism, creativity, and community.

👉 U/U Studio – Creative architectural studio designing original installations and environments for skateboarding and other freestyle sports, encouraging social interaction.

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This session wraps up the first semester and opens the door to the second — where you’ll start creating your own cultural project. Together, we’ll look back, highlight what was most important for you, and use that to start building ideas for your projects.

There will be space to find partners, form teams, and take the first steps toward turning your ideas into reality.

What to expect?

• Reflection on the first semester — what inspired and engaged you, and what you want to develop further
• Identification of themes that are personally meaningful and motivating
• First steps in finding and forming project teams

With Whom? 

👉 Second Semester Facilitator – An experienced mentor who will guide you toward developing your own cultural project.

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

We’re kicking off the second semester! Together, we’ll explore how to turn ideas into a clear project concept, practice creative brainstorming, and learn how to articulate your project vision.

What to expect?

• Practical tools for idea generation
• Ability to clearly formulate your project vision
• First concrete steps toward your project

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

Do you want your project to truly make an impact? In this session, we’ll clarify what you want to do and why, set goals, and define your target audience. You’ll also learn how to work effectively in a team, understand everyone’s strengths, and collaborate so your ideas become reality.

What to expect?

• Clear project concept and defined goals
• Overview of your target audience and project direction
• Tips for effective teamwork

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

In this session, you’ll learn how to organize a project from A to Z and involve your community! You’ll get acquainted with the basics of project planning, learn how to break your project into phases and create a schedule of activities, and discover how to engage the community to ensure your project’s success.

What to expect?

• Overview of project phases and activity schedule
• Practical tools for planning and organization
• Tips for engaging the community

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

Money matters — but with the right plan, it’s easier to manage! You’ll learn how to create a budget and secure funding. We’ll explore where to find money — from grants to crowdfunding — and show you how to approach partners who will believe in your idea.

What to expect?

• Overview of project funding options
• Practical tips for finding grants, sponsors, and crowdfunding
• Ability to create a financial framework for your project
• Clear understanding of how much funding is needed and for what

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

Discover the power of storytelling! In this session, you’ll learn how to effectively talk about your project so it captures attention, spreads widely, and reaches the audience it’s meant for. You’ll also learn how to identify your target group, create a communication strategy, and cover the basics of promotion.

What to expect?

• How to present your project clearly and engagingly
• Basics of promotion and creating a communication strategy

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

Thinking about the future! In this session, we’ll focus on how your projects impact their surroundings — environmentally, socially, and economically. You’ll learn how to design projects with long-term effects, resilience to risks, and positive change.

What to expect?

• Understanding project impact and sustainability principles
• Practical tips for project logistics and coordination
• Ability to design projects with meaningful and lasting effects

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

Your projects will take their final shape. Expect individual consultations with experts to refine your projects and receive valuable feedback. At the same time, you’ll prepare for the final presentation, where you’ll showcase your project to others and demonstrate everything you’ve created during the academy.

What to expect?

• Personal recommendations and tips from experts
• Improved project ready for presentation
• Confidence and strategies for a successful final presentation
• Clear guidance on how to present your project clearly and engagingly

📍 Saturday | Location to be confirmed

THE Day is here! You’ll present your project to the public, receive feedback, and inspire others with your story, creativity, and determination.

What to expect?

• Confident presentation of your project
• Inspiration and feedback from the audience
• Opportunity to showcase everything you’ve accomplished during the academy

📍 Saturday | ECoC Office, Nádražní 118/6, České Budějovice

At the end of the semester, we’ll look back on what we’ve experienced and learned together. You’ll have space to reflect on your progress, explore how your project can continue to grow — with support from the YC community and beyond, from internships to project funding — and we’ll close the semester in a friendly, motivating atmosphere.

What to expect?

• Overview of what you’ve accomplished and learned during the semester
• Inspiration for your next steps in culture and projects
• Contacts and tips for continuing your work after the academy
• A pleasant and motivating end-of-semester wrap-up