External finance sources and business model innovation are crucial for the sustainability of cultural and creative sectors. In this section, we collect a series of inspiring stories of cultural and creative professionals and organisations who have successfully adopted the concept of financing mix or have come up with a new business model
Best practice example
Music
Festivals
Engaging Impact Investors in Your Strategy To Realize Transformative Change in Music
Music Innovation Hub in Italy transformed its approach by engaging impact investors as collaborative partners, turning pandemic challenges into opportunities for systemic change. It positioned artists as crucial agents of sustainability in the evolving music ecosystem.
Best practice example
Media & Press
From Insight to Impact: Powering Quality Journalism with Audience Data
Ukrainian journalist and storyteller Maksym Eristavi faced the challenge of sustaining high-quality independent journalism, while growing his digital platform. Through data-driven experimentation and continuous audience feedback, he built a sustainable model rooted in trust. Maksym’s journey shows how independent creators can thrive by blending storytelling, strategy, and a deep understanding of their audience.
Best practice example
Cultural Heritage & Museums
Tokenisation of Art as a Service to the Public
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp pioneered art tokenization, enabling 250 investors to collectively purchase a James Ensor painting through blockchain technology, transforming museum financing and public art investment strategies.
Best practice example
Audiovisual - Film, TV & Radio
How a Mental Health Film Project Reimagined Funding and Community Impact
By pairing screenings with workshops, Bildsturz Kollektiv transformed LENZ, a short film, into a lasting dialogue. A financing mix, combining match funding, foundation grants, and regional film funding, enabled the team to realize their vision.
Best practice example
Design & Fashion
Artistic Crafts
Scaling a Purpose-Driven Fashion Brand: Growth Through Investment and Loans
The Knotty Ones, a Lithuanian fashion brand, demonstrates how purpose-driven businesses can sustainably scale by strategically combining business angel investments and EU-backed loans, while preserving their mission of empowering local artisans.
Best practice example
Audiovisual - Film, TV & Radio
PICCOLO AMERICA Cinema and social values - a success story attracting funds and international media attention
Read the inspiring case of Piccolo America to understand how relevant a success story is to attract funds and international media attention
Best practice example
Festivals
AALBORG KARNEVAL Reminding your audience that they are an integral part of your work
Read the inspiring case of Aalborg Karneval to explore how you can change your audiences' perspective from being a customer to a supporter
Best practice example
Design & Fashion
ILJA (VISSER)
Read the inspiring case of Ilja Visser to understand how important is to take the time to reflect on your business plan as the key to success
Best practice example
Performing Arts
IRIE! DANCE THEATRE
Read the inspiring case of IRIE! Dance Theatre to understand how relevant is to reflect on your needs and values to diversify income sources
Best practice example
All CCS and Cross-sectoral
KAAPELI A small-scale project with a fundamental business impact
Read the inspiring case of Kaapeli to explore how a small scale project can bring a new perspective to your business model
Best practice example
Literature & Books
MERCATORFONDS Adapting to the changes in the financial models of your sector
Read the inspiring case of MercatorFonds to explore how it might be necessary to adapt to the changes in the financial models of your sector
Best practice example
Music
LE 360 PARIS MUSIC FACTORY A 360-degree model for music with a social entrepreneurial approach
The case of Le 360 Paris Music Factory explores the foundation of a 360-degree model for music with a social entrepreneurial approach
Best practice example
Artistic Crafts
ELIZABETH YAKUPOVA Expanding family business of pottery with interest-free microfinancing
Read the case of Elizabeth Yakupova to explore how a small business in artistic crafts can be expanded via interest-free microcredit.
Best practice example
Performing Arts
CHARLOTTE LUKE Aligning your goals with the fund’s objectives
The case of charlotte Luke exploring how aligning your goals and public funding instrument's leads you to the next stage in your practice.
Best practice example
Visual Arts
DRÉ WAPENAAR AND WAPKE FEENSTRA Owning your studio as a freelancer is possible with a tailored plan
The case of Dré Wapenaar and Wapke Feenstra exploring how owning your studio as a freelancer is possible with a tailored plan.
Best practice example
Performing Arts
JURÁNYI ART INCUBATOR HOUSE Hands-on solution to inadequate infrastructure
Jurányi Art Incubator House presents how simple solutions to inadequate infrastructure make a difference in a city's independent theatre scene
Best practice example
All CCS and Cross-sectoral
NOVA CVERNOVKA Community engagement is your best resource
The case of Nova Cvernovka presents the importance on exploring your financing needs as a core step in your financing journey
Best practice example
Music
FREDERIK DEJONGH - JERBOA MASTERING Bank loans to raise money when you want to grow your activities
Read the inspiring case of Frederik Dejongh to explore how a loan can be a way to grow your business
Best practice example
Music
MUSIC INNOVATION HUB Relevant financial solution for each of your business lines
Read the inspiring case of Music Innovation Hub to explore how a different financial solution can be developed for each of your business lines
Best practice example
Cultural Heritage & Museums
ASTRA NATIONAL MUSEUM COMPLEX A win-win partnership – collaborating with local craftsmen to diversify income sources
The case of Astra National Museum Complex explores a partnership that led to the variation of income sources
Best practice example
PROJECT INGENU
Read the inspiring case of Project Ingenu to understand how important is to devise a business model that reflects your creative values and vision.
