Sedef Akalın

Sedef Akalın

MENTEE

Turkey
COHORT OF 2025
Mentor : Martina Tzvetan

My mission is to expand access to arts and cultural education by creating inclusive, digital and research-driven learning models for diverse communities.

I am an arts and cultural manager based in Istanbul, with a deep interest in how people learn, connect, and transform through artistic and cultural experiences. My academic journey began in Arts and Culture Management, and over the years, I have developed a strong interdisciplinary focus that blends cultural production, research, and community engagement.

Over the years, I have worked across various roles in the cultural and creative industries, focusing on project development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic coordination. My experience includes collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, supporting international partnerships, and contributing to community-oriented cultural initiatives. These roles have strengthened my ability to lead processes, communicate across diverse groups, and approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.

In parallel to my professional work, I am also developing a research direction that explores how individuals acquire art and cultural knowledge through digital environments. This combines my interest in pedagogy, cultural accessibility, and digital transformation — and forms the basis of my future academic goals, particularly for my studies in Vienna.

At my core, I am motivated by curiosity, purpose-driven work, and the desire to create meaningful cultural impact. My experiences in the 30UNDER30 program have encouraged me to refine this path and build a more confident, integrated vision for the future.

My core passion lies in understanding people, their stories, and the ways culture can help them connect, heal, and imagine new possibilities. I am driven by the belief that cultural experiences—when thoughtfully designed—have the power to shift perspectives, build empathy, and strengthen communities. What motivates me most is creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and inspired to participate.

In the long run, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive, collaborative, and accessible cultural ecosystem. I want to develop projects that bridge disciplines, communities, and geographies, using both traditional and digital tools to reach wider audiences. My aim is to create frameworks where creative expression becomes a catalyst for social understanding and shared responsibility.

I envision building programs that empower young people, underserved communities, and emerging creators to take part in cultural production, not just as observers but as active contributors. Ultimately, the impact I hope to create is a more connected and compassionate cultural landscape—one where diverse voices are valued, and where creativity becomes a meaningful tool for collective growth.

I joined the 30U30 Mentorship Program to strengthen my long-term vision of contributing to more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable cultural ecosystems. I wanted to expand my perspective beyond national boundaries and develop a strategic mindset shaped by international dialogue. The program has helped me rethink my path with more ambition and clarity.

What has made the biggest difference is my mentor’s guidance — consistently insightful, supportive, and genuinely invested in my growth. Her way of questioning, encouraging, and challenging me has broadened my possibilities and helped me transform ideas into a clearer, more confident direction for the future.