The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of cultural and creative sector (CCS) workers to respond to rapid technological, social and structural change. Research shows that technological advances are reshaping how art is produced, distributed and monetised, creating new mediums such as AR while also generating uncertainty and inequality. We, therefore, sought to enhance digital competences and deepen understanding of the art–technology relationship, enabling artists to use emerging tools confidently and critically. At the same time, we aimed to improve CCS-specific professional skills by facilitating peer learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and stronger professional networks, which are key to artists’ wellbeing and career sustainability. Finally, the project addressed structural inequalities in the arts field, particularly affecting young and migrant professionals, by creating more inclusive, technology-enabled entry points and cross-border support structures.
We applied for this project in response to structural challenges faced by artists and cultural professionals in Finland and Estonia. Research shows that artists increasingly work in fragmented, insecure employment conditions, combining short-term contracts, grants and self-employment, often without adequate social protection or institutional support. Foreign-born professionals face additional barriers in accessing networks and opportunities. At the same time, technological change is reshaping artistic production and labour markets, requiring new digital competences and cross-sector collaboration. The project addressed the need to strengthen artists’ professional capacity, improve access to emerging technologies such as AR, and build more inclusive, cross-border ecosystems. By combining art, digital tools and peer learning, we aimed to enhance employability, boost innovation and create more sustainable working conditions in the cultural sector.