Cultural Strategy & Advisory

Sometimes an organisation needs a new direction. Sometimes it needs to rethink how it works, develop a programme, find new partners or move forward with an idea that has been on hold.

We work with cultural organisations, creative businesses and independent practitioners to understand what's happening, explore different approaches and develop practical ways forward.

Our advice comes from experience working inside cultural organisations, not just advising them from the outside.

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Our Approach

We don't follow the same process for every project. Some clients come with a specific question, while others need help understanding the problem before deciding what to do.

We usually start with a conversation, take time to understand the context and agree on what would be most useful. That might lead to a strategy, a workshop, a new programme or ongoing advice.

We aim to leave people with something they can actually use.

If you're interested in working with us, please send an e-mail to bengu@diaeterna.com with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.

What We Offer

We work on a range of challenges, from organisational planning and fundraising to artist development, learning and environmental responsibility. Some projects need a fresh perspective or a short period of advice. Others call for a longer collaboration.

  • We help organisations take stock of where they are and decide where to go next. This can mean developing a strategic plan, reviewing how an organisation works, rethinking its programmes or preparing for a period of change.

    Areas of support: Strategic and business planning, organisational reviews, governance, programme development, audience engagement and change management.

  • We help organisations find the resources and relationships they need to carry their work forward. Drawing on experience developing funding applications and partnerships, we work with teams to identify opportunities, make a clear case for support and plan how to approach potential funders and collaborators.

    Areas of support: Fundraising strategy, grant applications, sponsorship proposals, partnership development, stakeholder engagement and case for support.

  • Sometimes the most useful thing is getting the right people in a room and asking the right questions. We design and facilitate workshops, team away days and planning sessions that help people share perspectives, work through challenges and make decisions together.

    Areas of support: Strategic workshops, board and team away days, stakeholder consultations, visioning sessions and collaborative programme development.

  • We contribute to conferences, discussions and professional learning programmes, sharing experience from across contemporary art, cultural leadership and organisational development.

    We also design workshops and training sessions around the questions and challenges facing a particular team or group.

    Areas of support: Guest speaking, panel moderation, professional development, creative entrepreneurship, curatorial practice and cultural leadership.

  • We work with artists and creative practitioners on the practical and professional questions that come with developing a practice. This might involve discussing a new body of work, shaping a project proposal, preparing for an opportunity or thinking about longer-term plans.

    We also help organisations design residencies, mentoring programmes and other forms of artist support.

    Areas of support: Artist mentoring, project development, professional advice, residency design, open calls and artist development programmes.

  • We help cultural organisations and creative teams consider environmental responsibility in their everyday work, from planning and operations to programmes and decision-making.

    Our founder, Bengü Gün, is a certified Carbon Literacy Facilitator and delivers training that helps participants understand climate change and identify practical actions relevant to their work.

    Areas of support: Carbon Literacy training, environmental workshops, sustainability planning and integrating environmental considerations into cultural programmes.