From Artistic Vision to Funding
Project Development, Strategy, and Budget Planning


Do you have an artistic idea you've been wanting to realize for a long time? Whether it's an international collaboration, a tour, an innovative concert format, or an interdisciplinary project: in this workshop, you will get to know relevant funding programs in Austria and internationally, and learn what funding bodies look for when selecting projects. You will further develop your project idea, work out a convincing project concept with realistic budget planning and a suitable funding strategy, and thus create the basis for a successful funding application as well as for the realization of your project.

After a brief introduction, you will work on your project idea in a practice-oriented way. Using concrete examples from cultural practice, you will develop it further and receive tools for conception, budgeting, and strategic planning. In individual mentoring sessions, you can discuss your questions with an experienced curator and cultural manager and receive valuable feedback.
 

Objectives

  • Develop a convincing project concept
  • Identify relevant funding programs for your project
  • Create a realistic budget that takes Fair Pay into account
  • Strategically prepare funding applications and present projects professionally
  • Take the next step toward implementation with a concrete project concept and a clear strategy
     

Zsuzsanna Szálka © János Posztós
Course lecturer Zsuzsanna Szálka

Zsuzsanna Szálka is a curator, cultural manager, and university lecturer. As curator for classical and contemporary music at House of Music Hungary, she develops innovative concert formats and international cultural projects that foster dialogue between artists and audiences. She develops and implements national and international funded projects, including within the framework of Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus, the International Visegrad Fund, and the City of Vienna's cultural funding (MA 7). Her projects include MusicaFemina International and Play It Loud!, which strengthen the visibility of women composers and musicians.

As a lecturer in cultural and music management at Central European University and the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, she supports students in developing and implementing innovative cultural projects. Together with her students, she realized, among other projects, the exhibition Female Voices in Iran, the escape room Decolonising Cultural Heritage Narratives in cooperation with the Weltmuseum Wien, as well as the Intermezzo Festival, curated and organized by students.

Workshop

 

 

Date
TU, 20.10.2026
10 am–12 pm and 1 pm–3 pm (Group)
+ TU, 27.10.2026
10 am–1 pm (Group) and 2 pm–5 pm (Individual project consultation appointments)

Location
20.10. Future Art Lab, V0228, mdw-Campus, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Wien
27.10. Senatssitzungssaal, AW L01 23, mdw-Campus, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Wien

ECTS
The workshop, including preparation and follow-up, counts as 10h of 60 minutes (group appointment only) or 11h of 60 minutes (incl. individual counselling) for the Career Center elective

Registration 
From September 2026 at careercenter@mdw.ac.at