stART. – a platform where performing arts and young people get connected

Nukketeatteri Sampo is a participant in the stART. research project, which responds to a fundamental challenge facing the contemporary cultural scene: how to effectively engage young audiences and foster their interest in contemporary performing arts. All four partner organizations – Nukketeatteri Sampo (Helsinki, Finland), Zero Point Festival (Prague, Czech), Teen Theatre Fest, Jan Palárik Theater (Trnava, Slovakia), and the City Theater in Celje (Celje, Slovenia) – deal with this question on a daily basis. This international partnership will enable us to share experiences and jointly develop new formats for young audiences, test various creative approaches, and advance existing formats.

stART. was created as a response to a fundamental challenge of the contemporary cultural scene: how to reach young audiences and get them excited about contemporary performing arts? Contemporary performing arts is often specific for its interdisciplinary nature. It is an immediate response to today’s world, in a shared space between creator and viewer, which can make it totally relevant to the needs of young people, HERE and NOW. 

Main goals of the project

piloting and adapting artistic formats that respond to young people’s realities

strengthening youth mental wellbeing and inclusion through cultural participation

sharing methods and models across borders via a dedicated digital platform

building an international network of cultural, educational and wellbeing actors

Project activities include interdisciplinary festivals in schools, creative residencies, audiowalks, peer mentoring, and co-curated events — all supported by research, ongoing evaluation and professional reflection. The stART. project aims to engage with at least 800 young people.

A part of the project is Sampo´s new performance A Story by Unknown, that will premiere in September 2026. 

International partnership 

SLOVENIA: Slovensko Ljudsko Gledalisce, Celje  

FINLAND: Nukketeatteri Sampo Kannatusyhdistys r.y.

SLOVAKIA: Divadlo Jána Palárika, Trnava

CZECH REPUBLIC : Bezhlaví z.s., Zero Point -theatre festival (main partner)

The funding for the project comes from Creative Europe -program of the European Union.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.