Culture Compass

A group coaching for artists

Culture Compass (Kompas Kultury) is a development program for freelancers working in culture and the arts in Warsaw. During the series of coaching sessions, the participants strengthened their competencies and prepared themselves for working together with cultural institutions. The project is a cooperation between the Culture Shock Foundation and the Old Town Cultural Centre (Staromiejski Dom Kultury) in Warsaw.

About the initiative

Many freelancers don’t know how cultural institutions function from the inside, which makes it hard for them to navigate this world effectively. We launched the Culture Compass/Kompas Kultury program to help them understand the institutional point of view and better plan cooperations. In this project, we combine two environments – institutional and independent – to facilitate cooperation, communication and the exchange of experiences.

Activities

For participants, we offer:

6 group sessions, 3 hours each, held in the Old Town Cultural Centre (Staromiejski Dom Kultury),
3 hours of individual mentoring consultations (including voice training, website creation, AI),
access to educational materials prepared by the Culture Shock Foundation.

The sessions were held once a week from April to June 2025, using a workshop, interactive and reflective format. The rules of the process included: mindfulness, contact, contract, common responsibility and willingness to experiment.

Partners/Organizers

Culture Shock Foundation

Since 2010, we have been strengthening the position of Polish and European civil society organizations and cultural institutions by enhancing efficiency in burnout prevention, the ethical use of technology, digital solutions, and leadership development. We also offer customized support through workshops, coaching, and self-assessment tools.

The Old Town Cultural Centre (Staromiejski Dom Kultury)

A Warsaw-based cultural institution that has years of experience in developing programs that support individuals working in culture, especially in networking, educational, and environmental formats.

Facilitators

Paulina Jędrzejewska

CEO, Flow Strategist, Culture Shock Foundation

Supports individuals, NGOs, social organizations, and cultural or creative institutions in adapting to rapid change. Since 2010, she has led the Culture Shock Foundation, combining culture, technology, research, and burnout prevention. As a coach, supervisor, mentor, and facilitator, she focuses on wellbeing and sustainable leadership, integrating insights from culture, identity, performance, neuroscience, and anthropology.

Karolina Pluta

Trainer & Coach

Trainer, expert in supporting cultural professionals, coach, theatre pedagogue, and socially engaged artist. She runs workshops, creative processes, and individual sessions. She is experienced in burnout prevention, mediation within cultural institution teams, and implementation of social and artistic projects. Member of the Theatre Pedagogues’ Association and the Culture Shock Foundation. Author of publications, research, and recommendations for institutions and NGOs. In her work, she combines education with art and uses diverse tools, including working on the body, impro, NVC, and creative writing.

Mentors

Sylwia Żółkiewska

Head of Digital Solutions & Strategies

Designer, visual artist, educator, lecturer (UW, PJATK), doctor of fine arts. Expert in new media with over 17 years of experience in creating and producing digital tools: websites, applications, games. Laureate of the Top 100 List of the Broad Agreement for Digital Skills (2019).

Noemi Gryczko

Learning Experience Designer (LXD)

Experienced Learning Experience Designer (LXD) with over 20 years of experience working in NGOs. Sociologist, musician, and manager by education. She emboldens companies and institutions to create innovations, experiment with engaging forms of online learning, and reach for more. She teaches how to use new technologies to engage students, employees, and conference attendees. Co-author of the book Biznes w świecie mobile (Poltext 2018) which was nominated for the Economicus award. Laureate of the 100' List of the SPRUC Broad Alliance for Digital Skills (2020).