Definition: What Is Nighttime Advocacy?

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Nighttime advocacy involves actively influencing decisions within social, cultural, political and economic institutions to support and promote strategies and policies to improve the nighttime sector.

A nighttime advocate champions initiatives to enhance various aspects of the nighttime environment, including safety, cultural activities, economic development, and social well-being during nighttime hours.

For further reading, we recommend this study: Governing the night-time City: The Rise of Night Mayors as a new form of urban governance after dark, written by VibeLab founder Mirik Milan and Andreina Seijas, researcher and international consultant on urban development and policy.

Iconic Tallinn Nightclub, to Close Its Doors, Sparking Formation of Estonian Nightlife Association

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In an unfortunate announcement, Sveta Baar, a beloved nightclub and cultural hub in Tallinn, Estonia, will shut down its operations starting January 1st, 2024. The closure, attributed to many challenges the entertainment industry faces, is a stark reminder of the precarious state of nightlife establishments in the region.

Sveta Baar’s journey began in 2017 as a vintage shop and bar in the Telliskivi district, evolving over the years into one of Tallinn’s premier clubs and concert venues. The venue garnered accolades such as the “Venue of the Year” award at the Estonian Music Industry Awards and inclusion in the prestigious Liveurope venue network. It has been an integral part of the Tallinn Music Week programme since its inception.

Luke Teetsov-Faulkner, one of Sveta Baar’s founders, expressed gratitude to patrons, staff, and the community. “We have always been mission-driven and tried to do a good thing—supporting local people and the community, being principled, inclusive, and honest,” he stated. Teetsov-Faulkner emphasised that the closure is primarily due to economic factors exacerbated by COVID-19, energy and financial crises, restrictive laws, and gentrification.

The closure of Sveta Baar, while partly unique to its circumstances, reflects broader challenges faced by entertainment organisers and nightlife establishments across Estonia. According to bar managers, there needs to be more alignment between the rhetoric surrounding the importance of culture as an economic engine and the legislative and tax policies in place.

Roman Demtšenko, a partner in Sveta Baar, highlighted the widespread nature of the issue on Estonian National Television, stating, “Sveta is not the only one in this situation. Maybe there will be more news of other clubs closing their doors.”

In response to the growing crisis, local nightclubs and concert venues have joined forces to establish the Estonian Nightlife Association (Eesti Ööelu Liit).

Elena Natale, founder of Tallinn’s renowned club HALL, emphasised the need for unity:

“The only appropriate response is to truly collectivise and come together, to fight for ourselves so live music and club culture can exist and thrive in Estonia.”

Helen Sildna, founder of Shiftworks and organiser of Tallinn Music Week, acknowledged the pivotal role played by venues like Sveta in nurturing music careers. She welcomed the initiative of the Estonian Nightlife Association, emphasising the importance of collective efforts to safeguard these cultural beacons.

Over its six-year existence, Sveta Baar hosted various club and live acts, contributing significantly to Tallinn’s music and cultural landscape. The venue also played a crucial role in fostering connections within the Estonian LGBTQ+ communities.

As Estonia faces the potential loss of more iconic venues, the formation of the Estonian Nightlife Association represents a united front in the fight to preserve the vibrancy and diversity of the country’s music and cultural scene.

The association’s immediate priorities include raising awareness and advocating for policy changes, explicitly seeking tax differentiation for live music venues and nightclubs. Natale highlighted the upcoming VAT tax hike, which raises concerns about the financial burden on cultural endeavours in Estonia.


Tartu, Estonia’s oldest city, will host The European Capital of Culture programme this year. The program’s theme is inspired by the artistic concept of the Arts of Survival, which will focus on the knowledge, skills, and values that will help humankind lead a good life in the future. The spotlight is on sustainability, co-creation, local uniqueness, science and technology. You can see the list of events here, one of which is the unda festival, which showcases local and underground club culture through discussions, dancing and an exhibition hosted at the Estonian National Museum and organised by HALL club.

Stadt Nacht Acht: What can cities learn from clubs about safety?

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At the bi-yearly Berlin conference Stadt Nacht Acht, we explored possibilities for safer cities and examined the inspiration that can be drawn from clubs for urban safety. In the panel hosted by VibeLab this year, the moderator role belonged to a Writer and a DJ, Anjali Parshar-Savoie. 

As for panellists, we were joined by VibeLab‘s lead researcher, Diana Raiselis, Amsterdam’s Hosts Coordinator, Nourdin Zobair, and Bristol’s Night Time Economy Advisor, Carly Heath. 

The main aim of the debate was to think of ways to ensure better safety for our cities at night outside of the clubs and venues. What lessons can we learn from club cultures operating at night and being deeply involved in community well-being, and how can city councils and officials integrate their methods and enthusiasm?

Buddies that are ready to help you

Nourdin Zobair, the coordinator of Hosts from Amsterdam, introduced their project, where young people cruise the city and use a friendly approach to handle minor issues and disturbances on the streets, similar to the awareness teams or night managers in clubs.

“Hosts act as a link between the police, the city, and law enforcement. They are individuals like you, without uniforms and with a smile on their faces. They roam the streets at night, observing anything that might raise concern. When they notice something, they kindly approach you, ask you about your night, and then advise you on what to do or not. People respond positively to them because they see them not as troublemakers but as buddies trying to prevent potential trouble with the police.”

 Explained Nourdin. 

Since the Hosts project was first introduced in Amsterdam, criminality has significantly decreased, resulting in fewer police interventions and overall happier cities. Hosts guide you through the night, intervening when necessary but offering help or support when needed. Hosts project is a great demonstration that is adopting the night management and awareness approaches from clubs can bring your city a positive change.

Pamphlet dance culture lives on in Bristol. 

Carly Heath from Bristol shared another interesting approach her city adopted from the dance subculture. Pamphlets, posters, and flyers used to be the primary communication channels within the club cultures worldwide, and they worked well. Similarly, with the same efficiency, House rules written on the wall proved to be an effective way to protect our communities from outside and within. 

Bristol took inspiration from these cultural artefacts to make the whole city feel safer and not just independent venues.

 “We were concerned about opening nightlife again after 18 months of Covid and wanted to do it safely. So we created this poster campaign called “Bristol rules”, which is simple. It worked amazingly, and it was well-adapted. University parties, for example, used the agreement to the rules as a condition on buying tickets,”

Carly explained.

People liked what Bristol did, only briefly after other campaigns inspired by club culture raised in the city. Glowing murals on the wall informing you that what is unwanted is wrong or posters reminding you just to look out for your buddy became part of the Bristol urban space. 

Stadt Nacht Acht: Pioneering new standards for nightlife research

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We identified what problems researchers face today and what can be done to solve them.

This year’s conference, Stadt nacht Acht, brought up new challenges and topics that club culture deals with today. We, VibeLab, hosted a panel that uncovered what barriers researchers have when it comes to data collection in nighttime research and what can be collectively done to pave the path for future generations.

Pioneering EU standard for nighttime research

To discuss the research challenges we face today, we invited Audrey Guerre, the coordinator of Live DMA; UCL academic Alessio Koliulis; Klaus Goldhammer, Managing Director at Goldmedia GmbH; and Marion Roberts, an academic from the University of Westminster. 

During a session moderated by Lutz Leichsenring, we delved into the struggles inherent in quantitative research, often characterized by its high expense and time-consuming nature. We also discussed what could be done on a European level to make this exploration more accessible. 

Speakers highlighted the need for more crucial public data on cultural segments and the prevailing biases within the available data. This often leads researchers to seek out this information or create new categories to complete their original research. But this pressure on researchers can go both ways and bring unique possibilities or chaos. 

Seeking for nonexisting data can go both ways.

We did something that has not been done before, and in the Creative Footprint study, we were not just looking into nighttime venues with the available data. We went into the neighbourhoods and spaces, mapped them, and looked into what was happening inside. Looking into these data now, we see fascinating phenomena. There is a correlation between well-educated young people, public transportation, and music venues. If you want to be a city of the future and well-educated people, you must have good public transportation and nighttime venues,” said Leichesenring.

Guerre, on the other hand, contributed to the discussion with another point of view. 

The problem, for example, is that the venues are not necessarily listed in the same categories from one country to another at the national level. So, when conducting research, you don’t know that this data category includes everyone you need to include. For instance, we don’t even have a definition of a live venue,” said Audrey Guerre. 

“It’s a game of influence. Sometimes, you find out that the indicators you initially created in your report are used by someone else but not necessarily correctly. For example, in one of our studies, we classified what a small, medium, and large venue is.

What we also do, is that we often advocate on the EU level for supporting tiny music venues. They once issued a funding call for small venues, and the criteria for what a small venue is were taken from our report. But the indicator was making sense only in our report, not for the funding call,” continues Guerre in another take on what collecting data that were never collected can cause. 

Speakers agreed that standardisation of data, criteria, and categories at the European level could significantly benefit researchers and cultural institutions because this standardisation would offer a more cohesive and reliable framework for analysis and possible decision-making.


Interested in finding out more about Pioneering an EU Standard for Nightlife? Register here

Reflecting on the Club Culture Gathering at Amsterdam Dance Event

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Club culture gathering at SEXYLAND Amsterdam

As Amsterdam was once again filled with celebrations of dance music, artists, and educational perspectives on the industry’s visions, VibeLab teamed up with Clubcommission Berlin to gather activism-focused community organizers, club owners, and collectives to exchange ideas and experiences. The program of talks was centered on: Connecting Club Communities through Global Collaborations.

The Night: Where Awareness Reigns Supreme!

Awareness is crucial in clubs and other venues dedicated to experimenting with our identities, boundaries, and imagination. In a panel on Creating Inclusive Spaces in Club Culture, Katharin Ahrend, Cultural Manager & Consultant at ClubCommission Berlin, reflected on her work in Awareness Academy. 

Making people aware of structures and reflecting on them is an excellent way to start when creating a safer space where all people can feel as comfortable, accessible, and secure as possible. However, it is essential to be aware that feelings of safety can never be absolute. Vulnerability will be continually endangered by those who want to abuse it, so trained and well-educated staff to whom affected persons can turn for advice, support, and help will always be necessary. That’s where the Berlin Club Commission Awareness Academy stands.

“We can’t have something as 100 % safe space, but we can have the intention to make it as safe as we can,” Katharin Ahrend 

 

From Roundtables To Activating Change

Out roundtable discussions, were focused on“Creating Inclusive Spaces in Club Culture.” Drawing from their own experiences and unique perspectives, they presented numerous real-life situations that must be addressed to create more inclusive and welcoming spaces. It is the hands-on experiences of communities that the industry needs to learn from.

The discussion was moderated by:

Adela Isabel Abad Varela, Co-Founder of Intertronika, Hamburg, Germany

Anke Straten – Gain Momentum

Participating in the discussions were:

  • Ariel/ DJ Holographic, DJ, Detroit
  • Cecilia Tosh, DJ, Berlin 
  • Freek Wallagh, Nightmayor of Amsterdam
  • Eli Goldstein. DJ’s for Climate Action, Soul Clap, New York, USA
  • Androosh/ Andrea Rosen, BNVC, Berlin 
  • VIO PRG, DJ Berlin via Bucharest, Romania
  • Villem Vark unda Festival & HALL Club Founder, Tallinn
  • Timothy Vandeputt/ DJ Tracksuit, Local Party Organiser, Traintracks / Bureau Punt, Amsterdam
  • Spiñorita, DJ, Los Angeles, USA
  • Jane Slingo, Director of Asia Pacific VibeLab, Director, Electronic Music Conference, Sydney, Australia
  • Amanda Mussi , Berlin/ Amsterdam
  • Robbe Van Boagart, Human Power, Antwerp

“Clubs are trying to be accessible, but then you have to wait for hours in line, which means I can’t go there without a wheelchair even if I wanted to,”

Robbe Van Bogaert.

This session delved into the critical importance of establishing and reclaiming spaces for communities within the nightlife industry. 

Roundtable speakers shared insights on how they’ve nurtured vibrant communities and collectives, which have evolved into beacons of inclusivity and creativity. Together we explored the transformative potential of music and culture in driving social change. Interested in exploring this topic more with us?
Register here to be a part of our discourse on inclusive spaces and awareness.

Climate Action Is a Shared Responsibility, Even In The Music Industry

DJs for Climate Action and folks from the planned Fluctuations Festival presented about the intersection of the nighttime and music industry with environmental sustainability. The 

Fluctuations Festival has been designed as an environmentally conscious haven for music and education and a powerful platform for young Europeans to express their views and concerns. This innovative festival is set to take place at locations around European rivers, promoting a sustainable approach to transportation, predominantly utilizing water-based transport.

Transportation was also passionately addressed by Eli Goldstein, a representative from DJs for Climate Action. The contemporary demands on artists often necessitate extensive travel, resulting in a significant ecological footprint. Eli emphasized the urgency of rethinking the music industry to create opportunities for artists to sustain themselves without constantly having to air travel.

“We need to think about shifting the industry so artists can make a livelihood without having to be on airplanes all the time. Because now, you have to fly everywhere to make money,”

Eli Goldstein, DJs For Climate Action

The Night Needs Activism

Speakers from various activism-focused organizations discussed broad topics that are tied to the night and activism. We learned about the activities of unda Festival, which explores the connections between club culture, art, activism, and anthropology.

Robbe Van Bogaert from the Human Power Project spoke about the importance of accessibility and their work in ensuring new accessible venues. Additionally, folks from the Africa Raising Music Conference and Love Foundation introduced us to their ways of helping communities.

The Job is Not Done Here: Caring for the Night is an Ongoing Process

Reflecting on this year’s ADE and engaging talks, we’re thrilled to see discussions about accessibility, safety, climate, and overall well-being progressing positively.

However, all participants’ stories also remind us that the work is never truly finished; it’s an ongoing process rather than a one-time task. If we want to preserve everything that the nighttime culture embodies, we must continue to care for it collectively.  After all, dance floors aren’t just leisure places; as we have seen, they also provide life to social justice movements and various activist communities, catalysing positive transformation.

Register here to be a part of our discourse on inclusive spaces and awareness.

🎈 Celebrating Five Years of VibeLab!

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Half a decade ago, in 2018, a powerful idea took shape. It was initiated by two forward-thinking individuals, Lutz Leichsenring and Mirik Milan, who aimed to revolutionize city nightlife culture.

This idea grew into a reality, and thus, VibeLab was born. The primary objective of VibeLab was to provide local governments with insights into the scope and value of a city’s nightlife culture, helping them to understand and enhance their city’s nightlife.

🧩 The Evolution of Nighttime Advocacy: 
In the last five years, nighttime advocacy has witnessed significant growth. In the beginning, the concept was relatively unknown and unexplored.

Gradually, Nighttime administration or Advocacy has garnered attention and gained momentum. Today, over 100 global cities have a nighttime office or are working on strategies to improve their nighttime spaces’ safety, culture, and economy. This is a testament to the rise in the popularity and acceptance of nighttime advocacy, as cities worldwide have come to understand the gravitas of gathering spaces and their impact on social, cultural, and economic factors.

Expansion and Growth

Since its inception, VibeLab has expanded its reach and influence. Jane Slingo joined the team as the Director of VibeLab Asia Pacific, further broadening the company’s geographical reach. This expansion allowed VibeLab to tap into new markets and work with different cultures, enriching the company’s experience and expertise in the field.

The Research Team Behind VibeLab’s Success

The success of VibeLab would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of its research team. Diana Raiselis and Maarten van Breederode have been instrumental in the company’s growth, contributing their expertise and knowledge to the team.

Project Management and Consultancy & Research

Overseeing the project management of our consultancy projects are Amir Salem and Thomas Scheele. Their meticulous planning, coordination, and execution of projects have ensured the successful completion of numerous key initiatives.

Communications, Nighttime Advocacy Events, and Design

Managing Communications and Nighttime Advocacy Events is another critical aspect of VibeLab’s operations. Jessie Dymond has taken the helm in this area, developing campaigns and programming conferences and events for the VibeLab network.

Adding to the creative aesthetics and visual appeal of our projects is Jack Waghorn, the talented graphic designer behind our microsites and reports. His innovative designs have played a crucial role in presenting our work and findings in an engaging and visually pleasing manner.

VibeLab’s journey over the past five years has been one of growth, learning, and success. The team is excited about the future and is committed to continuing its work in improving and advocating for urban nightlife culture worldwide.

Interested to read our research papers focused on cultural infrastructure mapping, safety, creative communities, strategies for nighttime cities, and more?

Register for our mailing list to receive all our reports in your inbox.

What role do cultural institutions play in supporting displaced communities?

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Can “experimental programming” feed into cultural integration?


Reflecting on the Panel Discussion:

“A Dancefloor Education” at Fotografiska Berlin

Date: Tuesday 3rd October
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Fotografiska Berlin, Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Free Event 

In the recent panel discussion at Fotografiska Berlin, we brought together an inspiring group of individuals deeply invested in Berlin’s vibrant cultural scenes. The speakers shed light on crucial topics revolving around the evolution of club culture, experimental programming, and the role of cultural institutions in supporting displaced communities.

Panelist Insights

The insights from the panelists, including moderator BLEACH, Lutz Leichsenring, Tjioe Meyer Hecken, Ukai Ndame, AZIZ, and Yousef Hammoudah, shed light on the multifaceted nature of Berlin’s cultural scene. Their experiences and perspectives provided a rich tapestry of ideas for navigating the evolving cultural landscape.

Learning from Dance Floors: Bridging the Gap

One of the first themes explored was the valuable lessons that can be drawn from the dance floor and club communities. Moderator BLEACH highlighted the inclusive and safe environments that clubs foster, a spirit that museums and art spaces could certainly benefit from.

“There was no such a party where you can hear more than African music. Nowhere. There were always small parties in Germany, but there was not such a big impact like now. So you can imagine doing this party we didn’t know what was like ahead of us. We just did it.”

Ukai From Freak D’L Afrique

Nurturing Local Talent: A Shared Responsibility

The panellists delved into the importance of established institutions nurturing emerging local talent. They challenged the practice of consistently booking A-list performers, emphasizing the reciprocal benefits of supporting grassroots artists.

Supporting Displaced Identities: A Call for Inclusivity

The discussion further explored the notion of giving a platform to fluid identities often displaced by mainstream capitalism. The speakers echoed the need for cultural institutions to be spaces of acceptance, catering to a diverse range of voices.

Dialogue, Collaboration, and Community Empowerment

The panellists emphasized fostering dialogue and collaboration between cultural institutions, communities, and local governments. They believe this is a critical step towards community empowerment and positive change.

Inspiring Collaborations: Success Stories with Communities

The session provided concrete examples of successful collaborations between cultural institutions and local communities. These collaborations enriched the cultural landscape and helped uplift the communities involved.

Ethics in Gentrifying Areas: A Complex Challenge

A particularly sensitive topic was the ethical and social responsibilities of cultural institutions operating in gentrifying areas. The speakers tackled this challenge head-on, discussing strategies to ensure a positive impact on the community, such as creating free or low-cost open days, and including locals in the programming of the events.

Looking Forward: A Call to Action

As we reflect on this engaging discussion, we’re reminded of our collective responsibility in shaping the future of Berlin’s cultural institutions. We must continue to champion experimental programming and community empowerment, ensuring that Berlin remains a city that celebrates diversity, creativity, and inclusivity.

Stay tuned to read about the other international panel that looked at Club Culture As A Catalyst.

The Urban Regeneration Festival in Florence.

“CITIES AFTER DARK: ECONOMY, CULTURE, SOCIALITY AND SAFETY“

How do we shape a right to the city for all and everyone at all times of the day? What are we talking about when we speak of “economy of the night”? What can we learn from local and international experiences? How does reflecting on night also mean thinking about the city, tourism, social relations and community? How can local governments break out of emergency logic and design (and govern) a right to the city at night?

The meeting aims to explore these issues, starting from the concrete experiences of some Italian contexts and from the Berlin experience, to then try and offer an analysis of the night,of its economy, and of its problems, not only in alarmist terms but also highlighting the many treasures that that time of life can offer to territories.

 

Speakers:

__ Lutz Leichsenring, press spokesman Clubcommission Berlin
__ Emily Clancy, Vice Mayor in charge of Cities After Dark, Municipality of Bologna
__ Cosimo Guccione, Councillor in charge of Cities After Dark, Municipality of Florence
__ Simone d’Antonio, Lead Expert URBACT network Cities After Dark

Moderator: Valeria Verdolini, CheFare

Career Opportunities: VibeLab Offers Exciting Internship Roles in Nightlife and Sustainability Initiatives!

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We have two exciting internship opportunities coming up over the next few months. Are you interested in supporting the VibeLab team on groundbreaking projects? Read the two positions below and send us your CV and cover letter!

Internship Opportunity: Fluctuations Transnational Festival with VibeLab

Description:

Join us in revolutionising European nightlife with the Fluctuations transnational festival, a unique event that combines music, art, and environmental engagement on the waterways of Europe. VibeLab, in partnership with the Fluctuations Creative Europe consortium, has secured a €200K grant to co-create prototype events in 2024, including stops in Amsterdam and Berlin. As an intern, you’ll be at the forefront of this exciting project, working alongside a team of passionate individuals dedicated to creating a safe, vibrant space for connection and dialogue on social, environmental, and citizenship topics.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist in the planning and execution of prototype events, including logistics, programming, and engagement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with local authorities, organisations, clubs, event organisers, and artists to ensure the success of each event.
  • Contribute creative ideas and solutions to enhance the festival experience and promote sustainability.
  • Research best practices for eco-designed festival stages and sustainable event planning.
  • Assist in marketing, design, content and promotion efforts to reach a diverse audience of all backgrounds.
  • Assist the Communications Manager in developing VibeLab’s general social media posts and content. 

Requirements:

  • Passion for nightlife, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
  • Strong organisational and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
  • Knowledge of event planning and logistics is a plus.
  • Familiarity with European cities and nightlife scenes is advantageous.

Duration:

[3-6 months] 20 hours per week

Location:

[Central Europe Time Zone]

Compensation:

We can offer a stipend of 450 Euros a month 

Application Deadline: November 1st

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for this internship to jess@vibe-lab.org 

——–

Internship Opportunity: NIGHTSCHOOL Sustainability Program with VibeLab

Description:

Collaborate with VibeLab and NIGHTSCHOOL to revolutionise global night culture through sustainability. This transnational training program focuses on environmental, social, and economic sustainability for night culture producers. As an intern with VibeLab, you’ll play a vital role in connecting European night culture communities, developing skills, testing sustainability measures, and instigating long-term change.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist in organising and coordinating hybrid training sessions for night culture producers.
  • Contribute to the planning and execution of digital conversations and lectures with international experts.
  • Support the implementation of sustainability measures in night culture events.
  • Conduct research and contribute to case studies on the sustainable performance of supported events.
  • Contribute to creating a freely available knowledge hub on night culture sustainability.
  • Assist in marketing, design, content and promotion efforts to reach a diverse audience of all backgrounds.
  • Assist the Communications Manager in developing VibeLab’s general social media posts and content. 

Requirements:

  • Passion for sustainability and the night culture industry.
  • Strong organisational and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
  • Interest in environmental, social, and economic sustainability practices.
  • Knowledge of the Global night culture scene is a plus.
  • Knowledge of canva, asana and google

Duration:

Three months from start date

Location:

Central European Timezone

Compensation:

This is an offer of a stipend of 450 Euros per month.  

Application Deadline:

Between today and November

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for this internship to jess@vibe-lab.org

Join us in shaping a sustainable future for night culture with VibeLab! Together, we’ll make Europe a global leader in sustainable nightlife.

Amsterdam Unveils “Night Culture Implementation Agenda” to Boost Vibrant Cultural Nightlife

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Amsterdam is embarking on an exciting new chapter in its cultural history with the launch of the Night Culture Implementation Agenda (currently only available in Dutch). Building on the Night Vision’s recommendations and heartfelt desires, this comprehensive agenda aims to breathe life into the city’s nighttime scene by translating ideas into concrete actions. 

This initiative is allocating significant resources, with a commitment of 1 million euros dedicated explicitly to Amsterdam’s night culture. This funding will support a wide range of programs related to night culture, developing night culture breeding grounds, and establishing new night culture locations in the vibrant neighbourhoods of Zuidoost and Nieuw-West. This is a unique moment in time for Amsterdam to build on the 24 hour licensing schemes that are already in place and to put emphasis on the value of events such as ADE and the city in general. 

We at VibeLab, a platform dedicated to celebrating and supporting nighttime culture, applaud this initiative as a significant step towards enhancing Amsterdam’s cultural landscape, especially as Mirik Milan, our co-founder was the night mayor of Amsterdam between 2012- 2018.

In addition to these initiatives, the Night Culture Implementation Agenda includes a pioneering pilot program for a sound insulation fund. This program aims to address potential noise-related challenges, striking a balance between vibrant nightlife and ensuring the comfort and well-being of residents in nighttime areas.

Recognising the importance of nurturing young talent within the night culture scene, Amsterdam,in collaboration with the national government have set aside 1.2 million euros for talent development focused on young people. This investment is expected to foster new artistic endeavours and innovative initiatives, ensuring a dynamic and vibrant future for the city’s cultural nighttime offerings.

A vital aspect of the city’s approach to the Night Culture Implementation Agenda is the emphasis on collaboration and consultation with relevant departments and districts. Involving the sector as much as possible in the implementation process is a top priority.

“As a municipality, we are committed to fulfilling our role in a way that values the interests of both day and night. Working with social partners, area developers, and the cultural sector, we aim to give night culture the recognition it deserves as a vital part of Amsterdam’s cultural life.”

says Touria Meliani, Amsterdam’s Councilor for Arts and Culture.

Amsterdam’s Night Culture Implementation Agenda sets a promising precedent for other cities to follow, underscoring the vital role of a thriving night culture in shaping a city’s identity and enriching its cultural fabric.

We at VibeLab and our advocacy platform ”Nighttime” encourage everyone interested in understanding the significance and value of a lively night culture to read the Creative Footprint Studies. The shared experiences and passion for the city, the night, and the safety, diversity of its inhabitants resonate deeply with our community and all of the work we do. Interested in conducing a Creative Footprint study in your city? Get in touch with Lutz@vibe-lab.org