Clubbing

Thank you for answering as many questions as you can. You are free to choose those you wish to answer (except email and preferred format).

Interviews and meetings will start from 1 March 2026. We plan a first Meetup on Sunday 8 March at Boulevard Anspach, 178 in Brussels.

Way to participate *

Yes, to take part in an interview (call / video / podcast)Yes, to join a working group or debateYes, to speak at a conferenceI would only like to contribute via this form for the moment

Name of association / collective / artist / pseudonym

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Contact email *

A copy of your responses will be sent to this email.

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Link to your website or social media:

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Geographic area:

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The things you would like to share don't fully apply to this questionnaire, but you wish to contribute to the community. If so, please specify how you would like to do so:

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1. What are your main obstacles when organising an event or getting booked (as artist/performer)? (e.g. finding a suitable venue—price, equipment, availability / fees, conditions; venues seem more focused on mainstream appeal than on artistic quality; other—please specify)

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2. How do you perceive the relations between independent initiatives and mainstream actors today? Cooperation, tension, complementarity?

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3. How do you see your sector evolving in the years ahead, especially with commercial pressures growing?

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4. Can independent initiatives still create space in an increasingly homogenised market? If so, how?

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5. What strategies do you use to preserve the authenticity and values of your project against mainstream pressure?

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6. How do you perceive access to public resources (grants, venues, networks) for collectives from diverse backgrounds or led by minorities? Do you think equity is truly achieved today?

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7. Do you observe structural imbalances (gender, social origin, historical networks) in your sector? How can they be addressed?

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8. Have you ever felt that independent collectives are kept in a subcontracting role rather than supported in their development? If so, how could this be remedied?

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9. Have you ever received support or advice from the city or other actors (grant applications, loans of important equipment, real impact on your development)? Yes—from whom and for what? What was your experience?

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10. What is your view on the growing concentration of festivals and events by large groups or international investors?

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11. Does the ideological or political influence of investors in the cultural sector worry you? Why?

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12. There's a lot of debate about club closures—often bought by investors or turned into hire spaces for private events or collectives. The press sometimes talks of the end of club culture. What do you think? Do you see more or fewer collectives emerging in this context? Is the scene at risk, or is it reinventing itself?

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13. Have you encountered harassment or institutional violence? Yes—can you describe the situation and how you dealt with it?

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14a. How can noise nuisance, neighbourhood concerns and club culture be reconciled?

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14b. Should public support differentiate between commercial actors and underground collectives?

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15a. In your view, what role should private actors play in supporting collectives and independent culture when they so often subcontract them? For example, could they make their venues available to collectives on more accessible terms?

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15b. In your view, what role should the city play in supporting independent culture while preserving the space for freedom and growth that the underground needs? How can transparent and fair support be guaranteed, without creating unfair competition between collectives?

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15c. Does transparency in the allocation of grants and permits seem sufficient to you today? If not, what aspects do you think should be improved?

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15d. Would you be interested in tools for collecting and visualising data on the cultural sector (grants, venues, events, funding, etc.)? An example of this kind: https://brussels-sub.vercel.app — If so, what data would you like to be able to consult or analyse?

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16. How can we encourage a lasting culture of mutual support between collectives? Could technological tools help?

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17. How many independent artists and collectives do you know in your city or region? Which do you find most interesting or inspiring? Are there any we should definitely contact for our debates or conferences?

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18. Have you seen projects or structures that, despite their stated intentions, fail to be fair in terms of gender, class or win-win practice? Have you had positive or negative experiences with such structures? If so, which ones?

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20. A concrete idea to improve the ecosystem in your city or region? Anything else you'd like to add?

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Let's stay in touch!

Instagram Signal online meet up culturecontagions@proton.me

Thank you for your time and your valuable contribution.