The Z-Kubator promotes the development of independent artists, cultural producers and designers at the ZHdK by mixing aesthetic ideas with entrepreneurial practices.
Our Motivation
We believe that the creative economies contribute significantly to a life of high quality and meaning in Switzerland and provide new approaches for solving global challenges. And we know that they make up a large part of the national labour market too, in particular in the Canton of Zurich. As part of the largest arts and design university in Switzerland, ZHdK students, graduates and future graduates play a critical role in shaping and driving the future of the creative economies. And we play a role in supporting this by encouraging students to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, a mindset that enables them to make sustainable and future-orientated contributions to the creative economies, today.
Our Approach
We understand artists, designers and cultural producers. We know what makes them tick. In fact, we believe that the person behind the idea is just as important as the idea itself. So we leave plenty of room for the artistic or design process but we make sure that the other elements that are needed to get new initiatives off the ground don’t get forgotten. Things like legal implications, financing opportunities, communication and messaging, resource management and project planning, to mention just a few.
Our Activities
Since 2016 we have been supporting ZHdK members and graduates from all disciplines to realise independent projects, found organisations and start creative businesses, be it non-commercial or commercial. We support the development of entrepreneurial thinking and handling through coaching and mentoring programmes, project development programmes, teaching and networking. Furthermore, selected projects are supported with financial grants and showcasing opportunities. We also actively manage a partner network of culture, business and universities to make sure we don’t miss out on relevant opportunities for ZHdK students to further develop entrepreneurial thinking skills.
As part of the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies (ZCCE), our activities are embedded in an international research and competence centre. Thus we also provide impulses for research, teaching and consulting on topics such as cultural policies, smart cities and entrepreneurial strategies.