Five partner organisations, including Vibelab, Belgian club institution FUSE (pictured), Latvia’s Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs, Italian creative hub BASIS Vinschgau Venosta and Swedish production agency Transversal Project, have teamed up to launch a new training programme to support emerging night culture promoters.
The NightSchool programme aims to connect nightlife innovators, such as promoters, bookers, venue owners, and creatives with experienced industry professionals from the European cultural scene – with a particular focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe initiative, NightSchool will select 15 participants and provide each with a grant of €5,000. This funding will facilitate a week of peer-learning sessions in various cities and help participants launch their own sustainable event ideas.
“Nightlife creatives and culture producers are first and foremost problem solvers. They are needed right now, more than ever to take on the unique challenges and opportunities of our rapidly evolving cultural sector,” commented Mirik Milan, co-founder of the initiative.
Information on how to apply can be found here, while more information can be found at www.night-school.org.
According to the organisers, the micro-funding scheme (€75,000) will support the selectees in pioneering and implementing sustainability-focused night culture events across Europe. In addition to the training and mentorship program, NightSchool is developing an online resource platform, that will be hosted and curated by a diverse network of experts in night culture and sustainability.
“While the term ‘community’ is frequently overused in the commercial world, its essence lies in uniting a collective of like-minded souls together,” Milan adds.
“At NightSchool, we join forces to address issues of diversity, inclusivity and solidarity. As well as climate action and the ecological dimension of night culture, we provide first-hand insights on maintaining a financially sound enterprise.”
Applications are currently open and will close on April 12th. Successful applicants will be required to commit to a week-long training program scheduled from June 3rd to June 8th, 2024.
About The Partners
VibeLab (Amsterdam, NL): VibeLab is a research, consultancy, and advocacy agency focused on supporting and preserving night-time culture. With over a decade of experience, VibeLab collaborates with local institutions and governments to navigate and enhance the potential of nightlife.
FUSE (Brussels, BE): Established in 1994, FUSE is a Belgian nightlife institution at the forefront of the global electronic music scene.
Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs (Riga, LV): Kaņepes Kultūras centre (KKC) is a hub for independent culture and social engagement in the Baltics, located in Riga, Latvia. Hosting concerts, workshops, and panels, KKC plays an important role in advocating for nightlife culture in the region.
BASIS Vinschgau Venosta & KASINO Club (Silandro, IT): BASIS is a social innovation and creative hub situated in Silandro, South Tyrol, Italy. Together with its event venue, KASINO, BASIS fosters creativity, experimentation, and contemporary co-working practices.
Transversal Project (Malmö, SE): Based in Malmö, Sweden, Transversal Project is a cultural strategy and production agency that facilitates culture-driven development projects. Collaborating with cities, creators, and enterprises, they provide resources to promote artistic and creative initiatives.
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