Cross Innovation Toolbox
The project Creative Insight as a Service supports the development of creative cross innovations in the Baltic Sea Region. In this project, a new cross-innovation methodology was developed and piloted in two companies in two partner countries – Poland and Latvia – in 2023.
The Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture facilitated a pilot at the Draugiem Group – artist and illustrator Martins Zutis worked there for a pilot period of four weeks.
What was the project about?
The aim of the project was to develop and test a creative method for how an intermediary could support cross-sector collaborations between artists and companies. The pilots were set off to question whether creative insights can be produced for specific topics on demand.
The Creative Insight as a Service process started with matchmaking the company with a suitable artist for the job. The company defined a relevant challenge or topic, to which they needed new insights and perspectives. The artist had the chance to be onsite at the company or work remotely for a period of one month. The task was to make further inquiries about the topic and find one’s creative approach and insight to be presented back to the company. The insight could be in any format, not necessarily a ready piece of art, yet a sketch, a concept that could convey the approach.
What are the results of the project?
The project results are presented in a “Cross Innovation Toolbox” that suggests a set of tools to structure and organize cross-sectoral collaborations. This project has chosen to focus on finding the right questions rather than answers. Every practical cross-innovative collaboration process raises a set of new questions. It is relevant that these questions are shared and discussed, with peers who aim to further develop and implement the practice. Knowledge sharing is key to further establishing cross-sectorial explorations between artists and companies from various sectors.
Download the Cross-Innovation-Toolbox
The project is implemented by Subtopia (lead partner), Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture NDPC, and Fabryka Sztuki.
The project is financed by the Swedish Institute with co-founding from the NDPC.
