Many people have an idea for a cultural or artistic project but lack the money and the audience to get it off the ground. Crowdfunding can give both. That’s why Brodoto, co-funded by the City of Zagreb, ran a free Crowdfunding Academy for cultural and artistic initiatives. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, participants built their own campaign plans – from the first idea to launch.
Why crowdfunding for culture
Culture is always short on two things: visibility and funding. Crowdfunding tackled both at once. Participants didn’t just raise money for a specific project, they built a community of people who believed in their work and became their first, loyal audience. It’s a funding model that doesn’t rely on grants and subsidies alone.
How it worked
Participants applied through an online form. They were welcome even if their idea was still taking shape or they were simply curious about the topic – no prior knowledge was required. The workshops took place at Klub Mama (Multimedia Institute), from 4 to 8 PM, across five sessions covering the full arc of a campaign: strategy, communication, storytelling and production, sustainable examples, and budgeting.
The mentors and what they covered
Branimir Radaković – Brodoto project manager and a crowdfunding and EU-projects consultant who has mentored over 150 teams. He opened the Academy with the foundations: crowdfunding and crowdsourcing, defining target groups, designing rewards (perks), and building a campaign strategy.
Ela Naranđa – a product and digital marketing professional with more than ten years of experience, who has led three successful crowdfunding campaigns. She covered communication strategy, marketing, and SEO – how to get a campaign seen and keep an audience engaged.
Mate Marić – a cultural heritage specialist and curator at the MUO Gallery, and lead storyteller at Artivist Company. He taught storytelling in culture and pitch preparation, turning a project’s meaning into a story people want to back.
Ivana Miljković – a multidisciplinary creative working in motion graphics, music, and event management, and head of the Ledolomci studio. She led the visual communication and video sessions, including script writing and a hands-on video workshop, plus examples of sustainable cultural initiatives.
The Brodoto team – closed the programme with funding models, budgeting, and how to stay sustainable once a campaign ends.
Mentorship that stuck with participants
The Academy was more than a series of lectures. After each workshop, participants developed their campaign plan and received feedback from mentors. For those who kept building their campaign, support continued beyond the final session.
What participants got
- a clear roadmap from idea to campaign launch
- practical tools, including an AI chatbot for campaign preparation
- a connection to experienced crowdfunders who had already been there
- networking with like-minded people and potential sponsors
- a sustainable funding model they could use again in the future
Who the Academy was for
Members of cultural associations and independent productions, students and young authors, anyone with an artistic initiative, and members of minority and vulnerable groups who wanted to amplify their voice through art.
Brodoto, Basaričekova 11, Zagreb · info@brodoto.com
