About us

Modernus

Modernus is a non-profit cultural association based in Karlovac, Croatia, was established with the aim of promoting, developing, and enhancing culture and the arts, while strengthening contemporary cultural and artistic production at local, regional, and national levels. The association operates in the fields of contemporary art, cultural education, and interdisciplinary artistic practices, with a strong focus on making artistic content accessible to the wider public and actively engaging diverse social groups.

Modernus is dedicated to increasing the visibility of the contemporary art scene, encouraging interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, and creating a platform for the production, presentation, and interpretation of art. Particular attention is given to emerging artists, contemporary and experimental practices, and the development of inclusive programmes that promote equal participation and access to culture.

In its activities, Modernus connects artists, curators, educators, cultural institutions, and civil society organisations, employing contemporary methodologies and technologies in a cultural context. Through exhibitions, educational initiatives, and promotional programmes, the association fosters creativity, critical thinking, and cultural participation, especially among children and young people, but also among the wider public.

Programmes and Activities

Modernus operates through its own gallery space, which serves as a production and presentation platform for contemporary art. The gallery programme includes thematic and solo exhibitions, interdisciplinary projects, as well as accompanying activities such as guided tours, artist talks, lectures, and educational sessions. The programme is designed to be open and flexible, aiming to connect the local art scene with artists and initiatives from other regions.

In addition to exhibitions, the association runs regular art and educational workshops for all age groups, aimed at developing creative and visual skills, understanding contemporary art, and encouraging an active and critical engagement with culture. The educational programmes are adapted to different ages and levels of prior knowledge and are implemented in collaboration with artists, curators, educators, and cultural institutions.

Vision and Future Development

Through its planned activities, Modernus is developing a long-term cultural platform founded on collaboration, creativity, and social integration. The aim is to establish a recognised model of practice that connects artists, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and the wider community.

Planned projects focus on knowledge and experience exchange, the development of new artistic practices, and the promotion of inclusive and participatory approaches to culture. In doing so, Modernus seeks to make a lasting contribution to the development of cultural life in diverse communities, particularly beyond major urban centres, while strengthening social cohesion through art and creative expression.

The Team Behind Modernus

Domagoj Škrtić

President

Domagoj Škrtić is the owner of a marketing agency, an art collector, and the initiator of the Modernus – House of Art and Culture project in Karlovac. He works professionally in marketing, communications, and contemporary culture, with a particular interest in developing interdisciplinary cultural projects. His experience includes managing marketing and cultural projects, organising events, and collaborating with artists, galleries, and cultural institutions. He focuses on designing and delivering exhibitions, educational initiatives, and promotional programmes, while continuously monitoring the contemporary art scene.

Lara Krajačić

Vice-President

Lara Krajačić is an art historian specialising in modern adn contemporary art history, cultural education and museum pedagogy. She gained professional experience through work in museums and gallery institutions in Zagreb, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Pavilion, and the Museum of Arts and Crafts, where she contributed to guided tours, educational programme development, and exhibition realisation. Her work focuses on designing and coordinating educational and inclusive programmes and collaborating closely with artists and institutions.

Projects

Različitost uključuje (Diversity Includes) – Inclusive Art Programme

Različitost uključuje is an inclusive art programme designed for adults with intellectual disabilities and associated challenges in Karlovac County. Through a series of visual arts workshops and a concluding public exhibition, the project enables participants to actively engage in the cultural and artistic life of the community.

The programme responds to the need for increased social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, who often lack access to formal artistic and cultural activities despite significant creative potential. Workshops provide a safe and supportive environment in which participants can express their ideas, emotions, and experiences through painting, sculpture, and ceramics.

The final exhibition publicly presents participants’ artworks, enhancing the visibility of adults with intellectual disabilities as active contributors to local culture. This approach promotes inclusivity, equal opportunities, and the recognition of creativity in diverse communities.

Izlozbe.eu – Digital Platform for Contemporary Visual Art in the EU

Izložbe.eu is a digital platform developed to monitor, interpret, and promote contemporary visual art in Croatia and across the European Union. The platform offers curated, up-to-date information on exhibitions, curatorial practices, and contemporary art trends within the European cultural sphere, with a focus on increasing the international visibility of Croatian artists.

The platform addresses the shortage of professional digital cultural platforms in Croatia that cover EU exhibitions and art practices. Students, educators, cultural professionals, and the general public gain easy access to relevant information on contemporary art, curatorial projects, and exhibition trends across Europe.

Content includes expert reviews, artist interviews, and thematic articles, promoting Croatian artists within the European cultural context. The platform encourages cultural exchange, professional networking, and mobility between artists, curators, and institutions. Designed as a long-term, sustainable digital resource, 

Digitalisation of Karlovac’s Visual Art Heritage

The Digitalisation of Karlovac’s Visual Art Heritage project aims to preserve, research, and make publicly accessible Karlovac’s visual art heritage through systematic digital documentation. The project will digitally archive approximately 150 paintings, drawings, and prints by Karlovac-based artists currently held in private collections. Many of these works have never been professionally documented or publicly exhibited.

Karlovac has a long and significant artistic tradition, yet much of its visual heritage remains outside institutional collections, dispersed across private estates and studios. This project establishes an online catalogue featuring high-quality digital reproductions and detailed information on artists, their works, and historical context.

The resulting database provides open access for researchers, students, educators, and the wider public, supporting education, research, and promotion of Karlovac’s visual art scene. The long-term goal is to expand digitalisation to other Croatian cities and include public collections in schools, libraries, and hospitals. By increasing visibility and awareness of local artists and their work, the project strengthens both local and national contemporary art scenes and ensures cultural memory is preserved for future generations.