Partnership Guidelines
Values | Principles | Expectations
How we build meaningful
collaborations at hosq
Read Before You Apply
Tell Us About Your Project
about
hosq Foundation views collaboration as a cultural practice in itself — building bridges between communities, supporting artistic freedom, and nurturing creativity.

We know that working in the cultural and creative sectors comes with many challenges. We believe that partnerships help address them by bringing together different experiences, ideas, and strengths.

Through collaborations, hosq aims to strengthen cultural networks and create initiatives that inspire, connect, and grow into lasting projects.
In these Guidelines, you'll find:

What we do and why: Our aims and collaboration models
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What we don't do: Our red lines
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How we work: Our principles, working ethics, values, and expectations
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what &
why
Our Aims
At hosq, we believe that meaningful cultural change happens through collaboration. Our goals are to:

  • Co-create projects that bring value to artists, audiences, and communities.
  • Help existing initiatives grow and reach new audiences.
  • Bridge institutional and independent cultural sectors.
  • Build collaborations that create lasting cultural value.
  • Make culture more open and accessible, welcoming diverse voices, disciplines, and communities.
  • Share knowledge and support the growth of cultural professionals.
Collaboration Modes
Every partnership is different, but most collaborations with hosq fall into one of two models:

1. Co-create
Building a project together — sharing ideas, responsibilities, and decision-making throughout the process.

This may include festivals, laboratories, educational programmes, research projects, exhibitions, digital infrastructure, or grant applications.

2. Joining Existing Initiatives
Developing an existing project — with hosq joining as an active partner to help it grow.

Depending on the project, we may contribute through programme support, technical support, visibility, networks, expertise, or distribution.
red lines
What we don’t do
1. We don't see partnership as financial sponsorship alone.
If hosq joins a project, we aim to actively contribute to its co-development, shaping its direction together with partners, and helping ensure its long-term impact.

2. We don't collaborate with betting or gambling companies, alcohol brands, or military initiatives.
This also applies to projects where these organizations are involved as sponsors, partners, or supporters.

3. We don’t support initiatives that promote violence, discrimination, or values fundamentally at odds with our own.
how
we work
Our Values
At hosq, we particularly value:

1. Collaboration
2. Artistic experimentation
3. Education and knowledge exchange
4. Community engagement
5. Diversity and interdisciplinary practice
Our Principles and Working Ethics
Every partnership at hosq is guided by these simple principles:

1. Transparency
We communicate openly about expectations, responsibilities, resources, timelines, and challenges, addressing issues proactively as they arise.

2. Inclusivity
We welcome diverse voices, disciplines, backgrounds, and communities, and strive to make participation as accessible as possible.

3. Mutual Respect and Cultural Sensitivity
We create working environments where everyone feels respected and heard, valuing every contribution equally, and respecting local contexts and artistic practices, avoiding imposing external frameworks.

4. Sustainability
We create lasting cultural value rather than one-off activities. This includes thinking about long-term impact, responsible use of resources, and building relationships that can continue beyond a single project.

5. Flexibility
We stay open to change, adapting to evolving cultural, social, and political contexts while remaining committed to our shared goals. We also encourage open dialogue when circumstances change.

6. Shared Learning
Every collaboration is an opportunity to learn from one another. We document our work, reflect on the process, gather feedback, apply lessons learned to future projects, and, where relevant, create practical project manuals.

7. Professional Integrity
We work ethically, respect intellectual property, and ensure proper attribution of ideas and creative work.

8. Collaboration & Co-Ownership
Partners, artists, and communities are equal contributors, sharing ideas, responsibilities, and decision-making throughout the project.
Expectations
Every partnership is built on mutual commitment. We believe that clear expectations help create stronger and more meaningful projects.

What Partners Can Expect from hosq:
  • Professional expertise in cultural production and project development.
  • Open communication and updates throughout the process.
  • Active involvement in co-designing, implementing, and evaluating projects.
  • Access to our network of artists, institutions, funders, and partners.
  • A shared commitment to quality, inclusivity, and long-term impact.

What We Expect from Our Partners:
  • Clear goals and needs for the project or programme.
  • Defined roles and responsibilities, agreed upon at the start.
  • Open communication on progress, challenges, and timelines.
  • Recognition of hosq’s contribution in all communications and project outcomes*.
  • Professional quality of programmes, activities, and public events.
  • Commitment to documentation, evaluation, and reflection, contributing to sector-wide learning.

*This may include, displaying the hosq logo in communication materials, acknowledging the partnership during events, and introducing hosq to audiences, international experts, and other external stakeholders.
collaborate
Please submit your request at least
3 months in advance.
Tell Us About Your Project:
Fill out the form to tell us about your idea. It helps us understand whether our goals align and how we could meaningfully contribute to your project.
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