Cultural and youth events are run by community centres, youth centres, libraries, museums, municipal youth departments and student unions. The tasks are similar: fill the hall, interest young people and report on results. Budgets are usually modest, and competition for the attention of young people with phones in hand is fierce.
Types of events
- Cultural. Concerts, plays, exhibitions, creative evenings, readings, film screenings
- Youth. Festivals, forums, quests, discos, battles, graduations, youth days
- Leisure. Hobby clubs, workshops, board games, parties
- Creative. Talent contests, open mics, art marathons
- Festive. City Day, Youth Day, New Year, Maslenitsa
How to organise a cultural event
- Audience. Who is it for: school pupils, students, young professionals, families
- Idea and format. What the audience gets that is not in their social feed
- Plan and script. Timing, owners, props, equipment. A template in the event script
- Funding. The institution’s budget, grants, partners
- Promotion. The institution’s social media, schools and universities, local bloggers
- Report. Attendance, photos, video, feedback
Where to find money
In Russia youth projects can apply to grant competitions such as Rosmolodezh.Grants, as well as regional and presidential grants for NGOs. For ticketed cultural events there is the Pushkin Card: people aged 14–22 can pay for tickets with it if the event is listed on the PRO.Kultura.RF platform. The third source is local business: cafés, shops and developers readily become partners if they understand what they get. How to build an offer for them, in how to attract sponsors.
Creative interaction for young people
- Phone voting for the best act, results on screen right away
- A team quiz with answers in the browser
- Battles: dance, rap, beatbox
- A photo hunt around the venue with tasks
- A shared light moment the whole room takes part in
Young people are reluctant to go on stage when the host asks, but happy to do things they can film and post. Interaction through the phone fits that habit.
A finale with phone light
We run a light show in which the audience becomes the picture. A QR code on the screen, the room opens the page in the browser, and every phone flashlight flashes to the music. No app or internet: the signal travels via ultrasound through the speakers. For a community centre it is convenient because no lighting rental is needed.
For the report there is a number: how many viewers joined. After the show participants can get a feedback form or the next event page. From 10,000 ₽ per event for up to 100 viewers, for larger halls see the calculator.
FAQ
Can the show run in a hall without a big screen? Yes, the QR code can be printed on posters, tickets or leaflets on the seats.
Does it suit a cultural event for employees? Yes, just like at a corporate party. Ideas in events for employees.
Organising larger events: a festival, city day. The page for city celebrations: city day show.