Prokultura - Observatory of Cultural Policies

Prokultura - Observatory of Cultural Policies (Croatian: Prokultura - Opservatorij kulturnih politika) is a Croatian non-governmental organisation based in Split that works at the intersection of cultural policy, cultural and artistic education, local development and international cultural cooperation. It describes itself as an observatory of cultural policies and operates as a platform for research, public debate, education and cultural programming rather than as a conventional commercial company. Its activities are grouped around several thematic strands: the functioning of cultural and educational policies (through cultural encounters, conferences, papers and articles, and education); cultural and artistic education; culture and local development; and international cooperation. The organisation is best known for its long-running cultural programmes, many of which are delivered in partnership with schools, galleries, heritage associations and other cultural institutions. Among these are the Kuća jezika i kulture (House of Language and Culture) in Peristil, Split and in Omiš, the Galerija Onaion exhibition space, language workshops, heritage and tourism programmes for young people, and the annual Večer francuske šansone (Evening of French Chanson). The chanson programme is described on its website as founded in 1993, which is the earliest date the organisation itself associates with its activity. Prokultura's programming spans cultural policy meetings and round tables, educational workshops, exhibitions, concerts and international events. Its website lists activities such as the Days of Heritage and Tourism for Young People, the Art Without Borders concert cycle with the Lovro pl. Matačić music school in Omiš, Francophonie and French language and culture days, and world cultures and languages events. It also publishes work and articles connected to cultural policy and organises cultural encounters and conferences. As a Croatian NGO, Prokultura is not a listed company and does not have shareholders. It operates as a civil-society organisation funded through projects, partnerships and public cultural programmes. Its public identity is that of a cultural policy observatory and cultural operator in Dalmatia, with a strong emphasis on language, heritage, tourism and international cultural exchange.

Prokultura - Observatory of Cultural Policies is a Croatian non-governmental organisation that presents itself as an observatory of cultural policies. Its public activity is documented through its own website, which organises its work around four broad areas: the functioning of cultural and educational policies; cultural and artistic education; culture and local development; and international cooperation. The organisation's earliest self-declared date is 1993, the year it says the Večer francuske šansone (Evening of French Chanson) was founded. That programme has since become one of its signature cultural events, held in venues such as the Croatian National Theatre in Split (HNK Split) and associated with Francophonie and the Days of French Language and Culture. Over time Prokultura expanded into a broader cultural platform. It established the Kuća jezika i kulture (House of Language and Culture) in Peristil, Split, and a second location in Omiš, offering language workshops, cultural encounters and exhibitions. It also runs the Galerija Onaion, an exhibition space that has hosted art and photography exhibitions. Its cultural policy strand includes cultural encounters and conferences, papers and articles, and education activities, positioning the organisation as a meeting point for discussion of how cultural and educational policies function. Its culture and local development strand includes heritage and tourism programmes, notably the Days of Heritage and Tourism for Young People, and cooperation with kindergartens and schools in Zagreb and Split. Internationally, Prokultura has developed programmes on Francophonie, world cultures and languages, and events such as Ireland and the birth of Europe, reflecting a focus on international cultural cooperation. Its concert and education programming includes the Art Without Borders cycle with the Lovro pl. Matačić music school in Omiš. As a Croatian NGO, Prokultura operates as a civil-society organisation rather than a commercial enterprise. It does not have shareholders and is not listed on any stock exchange. Its work is delivered through projects, partnerships and public cultural programmes, and its public profile is that of a cultural policy observatory and cultural operator in Dalmatia.

• 2026

  Dani baštine i turizma za mlade (Days of Heritage and Tourism for Young People) 2026 programme announced.

• 2025

  Umjetnost bez granica (Art Without Borders) with OGŠ Lovre pl. Matačić Omiš held on 28 March 2025.

• 2025

  Dani baštine i turizma za mlade (Days of Heritage and Tourism for Young People) 2025 programme.

• 1993

  Večer francuske šansone (Evening of French Chanson) founded, the earliest date the organisation associates with its activity.

A Croatian civil-society cultural policy observatory and cultural operator combining research, education, heritage and international cultural exchange.

• Večer francuske šansone (Evening of French Chanson)

  Annual French chanson concert programme founded in 1993, associated with Francophonie and the Days of French Language and Culture.

• Kuća jezika i kulture (House of Language and Culture)

  Cultural venue in Peristil, Split and in Omiš offering language workshops, cultural encounters and exhibitions.

• Galerija Onaion

  Exhibition space hosting art and photography exhibitions.

• Umjetnost bez granica (Art Without Borders)

  Concert cycle with the Lovro pl. Matačić music school in Omiš.

• Dani baštine i turizma za mlade (Days of Heritage and Tourism for Young People)

  Heritage and tourism programme for young people, with 2025 and 2026 editions.

1. 1Prokultura - Opservatorij kulturnih politikaprokultura.hr
2. 2Prokultura - Observatory of Cultural Policieswikidata.org