The third edition of CultureCon, a national conference for India’s cultural and creative sectors, took place on 7–8 August 2025 at the Museum of Solutions, Lower Parel, Mumbai. Organised by The Art X Company and Festivals From India, the event brought together over 45 speakers, 25 mentors, and 20 sessions under the theme Creative Capital: The Next Frontier. Supported by Pune International Centre, Australian Consulate-General Mumbai, Parijat Foundation, Purpose, Royal Enfield, and Goethe-Institut Mumbai/Max Mueller Bhavan, CultureCon 2025 offered discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities for professionals across music, dance, theatre, visual arts, museums, arts education, policy, and creative business.
CultureCon 2025 also partnered with All About Music, Fierce Ventures, Access for All, Concept Counter, QTP, Museum of Solutions, NCPA, Asia Society India, Avid Learning, Kulfi Collective, Shortfundly OTT Marketplace, Some Good Gigs, Subko, Yuvaa.
One of the key announcements at the conference was the launch of the Creative Careers Hub by Rashmi Dhanwani, Founder of The Art X Company and Festivals From India. The platform, hosted on the redesigned FestivalsFromIndia website, aims to connect talent with job opportunities across the sector. The programme included the session When Code Meets Culture, featuring Mark Dakin, Padmini Ray Murray, Shreyas Srinivasan, and Tejas Nair, which explored how artificial intelligence is influencing creativity and the need for continuous skill development. Discussions also touched upon the importance of policy in protecting artists’ rights in the digital age.
In another session on selling creative work globally, speakers Andy Beecroft, Papa CJ, and Thukral and Tagra shared their experiences in reaching international markets, stressing the importance of preparation, building relationships, and maintaining authenticity. The roundtable on Gen Z as co-architects of culture, with Manoti Jain, Deepika Seth, and Devarshi Shah, examined the evolving dynamics between younger professionals and leadership, emphasising communication and alignment of values within creative teams.
The session The Leftovers We Don’t Talk About, held in partnership with Purpose, brought attention to food waste in cultural spaces, with Divya Ravichandran and Anisha Oomen discussing how convenience and changing consumption patterns are shaping attitudes toward sustainability. The closing panel on CSR and the arts, with Asad Lalljee, Bidisha Dey, and Ritika Gandhi, explored how corporate social responsibility initiatives can contribute to lasting social impact and take Indian crafts to a global audience. Other sessions during the two days included pitching to brands, building sustainable creative businesses, and an announcement of Royal Enfield’s upcoming Journey Across the Himalayas festival.
CultureCon 2025 maintained a focus on accessibility and inclusion, offering complimentary passes for persons with disabilities and providing Indian Sign Language interpretation for all sessions. With a mix of panels, masterclasses, mentorship sessions, and informal networking, the conference created a platform for dialogue, skill development, and connection across India’s creative and cultural community.
