Kultivator
is Studio ALTA’s platform for transforming how cultural institutions work and what they practise.
Just as the world around us and the conditions in which we live and operate are changing, so are the public’s needs in relation to cultural institutions. The way these institutions view themselves is also changing.
Ready for Change
If cultural institutions are to continue fulfilling their role (to nurture, cultivate, and provide a space for gathering and creative expression), they must consciously reflect on the methods and structures through which they operate. Cultural institutions in the second decade of the 21st century must undergo a transformation, focusing on emancipating the principles by which they relate to the public, redefining their own responsibilities and securing dignified conditions for creativity and the development of their own team.
Since our foundation, we have been a space for the work and self-development of independent artists and other professionals. Our activities soon expanded to include the presentation of art and the organisation of cultural events. And hand in hand with all of this goes the development of the professional skills and experience of those who work at ALTA.
And so it happened – KULTIVATOR was created!
It focuses on capacity development (not only) within our team, strengthens the position of cultural institutions in the public sphere, and nurtures relationships with target groups. It supports the professional development of artists and cultural workers.
Kultivator and all its projects form part of the CULTIVATOR – a cultural ecosystem for collective change. The project is supported by funding from the EU’s Creative Europe programme, the Czech Ministry of Culture and the City of Prague.
We follow 3 paths
We are aware of the responsibility institutions carry. We care about reducing barriers in culture in a long-term, sustainable way, for example through Parent-Friendly Culture.
Institutions and accessibility
We develop the institution as an opportunity for personal growth. That experience is then put to use elsewhere; it doesn’t stay locked inside institutions but seeps out further.
Institutions and knowledge
We believe an institution can act as a mediator of conversations and a pillar that helps overcome crises.
Institutions and artists
We follow 3 paths
We are aware of the responsibility institutions carry. We care about reducing barriers in culture in a long-term, sustainable way, for example through Parent-Friendly Culture.
We develop the institution as an opportunity for personal growth. That experience is then put to use elsewhere; it doesn’t stay locked inside institutions but seeps out further.
We believe an institution can act as a mediator of conversations and a pillar that helps overcome crises.
Formats of sharing
Artist to Artist
Artist to Artist is a platform that organises regular meetings for independent artists and art collectives. Together, they share experiences relating to their day-to-day operations and artistic practice. Each year, the group appoints a coordinating team to organise and chair the meetings. AtoA meets approximately once every two months. Representatives from various fields are invited to some meetings to help clarify specific issues or share their own experiences.
In 2026 AtoA ran as peer-to-peer meetings for artists mainly from the performing arts and related fields. They created a space for sharing artistic practice, experience, doubts and current topics without any pressure to self-present. The content was shaped together according to the participants’ needs and suggestions, and people could join once or repeatedly. The meetings were guided by Ester Hauser Trčková, choreographer, dancer and teacher, Petra Hanzlíková, producer and cultural manager, and Filip Novák, performer and teacher.
The AtoA 2026 cycle is almost over, with one final meeting still to come. We will share the plans for next year soon. For more information, follow this page and our social media.
Programme
Artist to Artist archive
How did the previous years go?
In 2026, AtoA ran as peer-to-peer meetings for artists mainly from the performing arts and related fields. They created a space for sharing artistic practice, experience, doubts and current topics without any pressure to self-present. The content was shaped together according to the participants’ needs and suggestions, and people could join once or repeatedly. The meetings were guided by Ester Hauser Trčková, choreographer, dancer and teacher, Petra Hanzlíková, producer and cultural manager, and Filip Novák, performer and teacher.
Each meeting opened with introductions and a shared warm-up, followed by sharing of the participants’ own practice in various forms, from ideas in progress, experiments and excerpts of work to practical questions, always followed by reflection and feedback. Meetings closed with a joint check-out, and the whole process was facilitated by the three-person team who held the frame and the time. The emphasis was on openness, mutual learning and the freedom to try, search and make mistakes without pressure for results. The programme was open to choreographers, dancers, performers, actors, producers and other artists and also took the participants’ needs into account, for example communication in English or childcare for parents.
Past events:
17 March | 10:00–13:00 | Cirqueon Lab, Petrohradská 3
30 April | 10:00–13:00 | Žižkostel, Náměstí Barikád 1520/1
28 May | 10:00–13:00 | Kulturní stanice Galaxie / DanceConnected hall, Arkalycká 833
24 June | 10:00–13:00 | Studio ALTA, U Českých loděnic 2158/4
9 September | 10:00–13:00 | Studio ALTA, U Českých loděnic 2158/4
In 2025, Artist to Artist took the form of regular meetings focused mainly on sharing artistic, production and other practice and on opening current topics through concrete experience and personal perspectives. The meetings had two forms: morning sessions devoted to sharing practice and the discussion that followed, and afternoon meetings with guests from various fields of art and related disciplines. The sessions were spread across the year at roughly monthly intervals and were prepared and moderated by Petra Hanzlíková and Ester Trčková.
Among those who shared their practice were Markéta Sisáková, Filip Novák and Viktor Černický.
Past events:
19.03.2025 | Opening meeting of Artist to Artist 2025
08.04.2025 | Sharing practice – Viktor Černický
14.05.2025 | Sharing practice
12.09.2025 | Sharing practice – Markéta Sisáková
02.10.2025 | Sharing practice – Filip Novák
12.11.2025 | Closing meeting of Artist to Artist 2025
In 2024, Artist to Artist focused on how the contemporary independent performing arts scene works and created a space for independent artists and collectives to share experience, uncertainties and problems. Over the year, five full-day meetings took place with a new group of participants, who together named pressing topics and then worked through them in discussion circles that allowed sharing experience, crowdsourcing and comparing how individual artistic groups and organisations operate. The programme also included practical training led by lecturers and experts on the specific topics. The closing meeting was open to everyone interested from the independent art scene. The year was organised and coordinated by Lukáš Karásek of tYhle z.s. and Ester Trčková of the SPOLK collective. Participants included, among others, tYhle, SPOLK, Spielraum kollektiv, Holektiv, Robo Nižník, Debora Štysová, Natalie Tun, Zdenka Svíteková, Manus Art Collective, Justyna Tuchorska, Linda Straub, Alica Minar & col., Bazmek Entertainment and Dočasná Company.
Past events:
19.03. 2024 | Initial ARTIST TO ARTIST meeting
15.05. 2024 | ARTIST TO ARTIST meeting #1
15.08. 2024 | ARTIST TO ARTIST meeting #2
24.09. 2024 | ARTIST TO ARTIST meeting #3
21.11. 2024 | ARTIST TO ARTIST meeting #4
10. 12. 2024 | Closing ARTIST TO ARTIST meeting
In 2023, the Artist to Artist group was officially founded as a platform for independent artists and collectives to share experience and problems, learn from each other and look for ways to cultivate the working environment without the need for institutional backing. Over four full-day meetings, the participants named and worked through pressing topics in discussion circles, by sharing experience and through training led by experts. Studio ALTA hosted the project, while the pilot year was coordinated by Lukáš Karásek (tYhle) and Jiří Šimek (Ufftenživot). Participants included tYhle, Ufftenživot, Srdcem zapsaný spolek, SPOLK, ME-SA, Beautiful Confusion Collective, ZDRUHESTRANY, CreWcollective, Manus Art Collective, Dočasná Company, Kateřina Szymanski, Mish Rais, Tereza Lenerová and Feel the Universe Circus Company.
Past events:
3. 4. 2023 | Artist to Artist platform meeting
5. 5. 2023 | Artist to Artist platform meeting
23. 5. 2023 | Artist to Artist platform meeting
21. 6. 2023 | Artist to Artist platform meeting
19. 7. 2023 | Artist to Artist platform meeting
28. 8. 2023 | Closing Artist to Artist meeting
Thank you!
