Warsaw
Observatory
of Culture

At the Warsaw Observatory of Culture we aim to explore the processes of contemporary culture and share our findings with the wider community. We believe that connecting art and artists with scholarship affords us a better understanding of the world and the tools to engage with and contribute to the future.
About Us
Activity
Knowledge
Study on the Situation of Artists and Artist-Parents of Children Aged 0–6 in the Creative Labor Market
The Warsaw Observatory of Culture (WOK) is launching a research project dedicated to the situation of parents working in creative professions. We are witnessing a paradigm shift for mother/father/parent-artistic individuals—from the historical exclusion of combining a career in the arts with caregiving responsibilities to an increasingly common need to function in both realms and to fulfil the role of practising artist on an equal footing with the role of a parent.
It’s been two years
The Warsaw Observatory of Culture (WOK) is celebrating its second anniversary! As we embark on the next chapter of our operation, we want to take this opportunity to share with you memories, reflections and experiences from the past 365 days.
Who are we all? The Experience of Cooperation on Theatre Projects between Polish Cultural Organisations and Belarusian Artists
The publication Jacy tacy nowacy? Doświadczenia współpracy polskich organizacji kulturalnych z białuskimi artystami w zakresie projektów teatralnych [Who are we all? The Experience of Cooperation on Theatre Projects between Polish Cultural Organisations and Belarusian Artists] attempts to observe the cooperation of Belarusian artists and artist groups with Warsaw-based cultural institutions on theatre projects. We are primarily interested in the challenges and possibilities of supporting artists.

How to support young adults reading in the midst of a digital revolution. Research Report

The Warsaw Observatory of Culture has published a report on the study of reading practices in Warsaw. Ten expert interviews were conducted with individuals who examine reading from various perspectives in their work. Additionally, five focus group interviews were held with people working in libraries and schools, as well as students in high school and the last two grades of primary school. The report is available for download from our knowledgebase.

More about: How to support young adults reading in the midst of a digital revolution. Research Report

Support in Development

The Warsaw Observatory of Culture has initiated a process of supporting individuals involved in art and research. This is the second edition of the residency program in this format—providing a comfortable environment for exchanging practices and knowledge, offering time and a safe space for deepening topics, mutual inspiration, strengthening residents, and building relationships with the organizing institution. The 2024 residency program includes 13 individuals and 2 collectives. To see who is being supported by WOK this year, you can visit the residency page.

More about: Support in Development

Uniquely United. A talk with Rivka Rubin

At the beginning of Upwording practice is anoticing the words in our communication and questioning why sometimes they have an impact opposite to our intention or don’t work at all, and instead of connecting people, words we use often land us into a spectrum that we’re so far apart from one another – says Rivca Rubin in a conversation with Joanna Leśnierowska.

More about: <em>Uniquely United</em>. A talk with Rivka Rubin

The museum is ours. A conversation with Joanna Mytkowska

Will the new model for a cultural institution be an outlet in a state of constant formation, uninterrupted transformation and repurposing? How do you manage a museum that is constantly migrating, under construction, shrinking and expanding its space? Joanna Mytkowska, the director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Warsaw talks about managing an elusive structure.

More about: The museum is ours. A conversation with Joanna Mytkowska