Arty Party

This year, the Melkweg Expo team, along with renowned scouts from the art field will select the freshest talents from art and music academies across the country.

Participating scouts: Amsterdam Ferry Festival (Rowan Stol), BRUTUS (Sanne ten Brink), FOTODOK (Daria Tuminas), The Grey Space In The Middle (Marijke Cobbenhagen), Huis Marseille (Désirée Kroep en Lotte van Es), M Leuven (Laure Vanrijckeghem), Museum More (Julia Dijkstra en Sito Rozema), The Hmm (Lilian Stolk), WePresent (Suzanne Tromp), Into Nature (Hilde de Bruijn), Vleeshal (Roeliena Aukema). 

Discover inspiring talks and best practices on what to do after graduation and how to sustain yourself as an artist. During these talks, other artists share their experiences and invite you to engage in conversation.

"Talk 1: Storytelling in Photography – How to Embrace New Exhibition Formats?
Time: 20:45 – 21:30
Join curator Nuria Bofarull and artists Lara Varat and Alia Leonardi, in conversation with moderator Nicole Sciarone, for a dynamic discussion on how storytelling in photography is evolving through experimental exhibition formats. The session will explore the power of storytelling beyond traditional frames, with a focus on queer photography, performance, and creative processes. Expect a mix of presentations, interactive dialogue, and new perspectives on how exhibitions can go beyond static moments and embrace more fluid, innovative approaches.

Talk 2: In Conversation with Stephanie Afrifa – Navigating the Art World as a Multidimensional Black Woman
Time: 21:45 – 22:30
Stephanie Afrifa, in conversation with moderator Sindhuja Shyam, will discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating the art world as a Black woman. Drawing from her personal experiences, Stephanie will touch on themes of identity, community, and career-building. She will offer insights on creating authentic work, fostering connections, and amplifying marginalized voices, while also sharing practical advice on working with major cultural institutions. This conversation will inspire artists to carve their own paths with integrity and vision."

Enjoy a selection of newly graduated musical acts. From DJs and electronic sounds to a good old new band. Acts from various musical genres are selected by our music programmers. The artists, bands, and DJs have recently graduated from conservatories or are part of the Melkweg talent developers' network.

Line up:

• Total destruction, the only solution?
• Norbertine
• LifeLoan
• Zena-Rae 
• Neo (DJ) 

We're excited to announce that we'll be organizing meet & greets with inspirational cultural organizations at Arty Party! As an artist, it's important to ensure a sustainable livelihood in the future. There are various approaches to organizing and achieving this. For instance, seeking funding, setting up a crowdfunding campaign, mastering the intricacies of image rights, or even considering supplementary employment can all be viable options. The Meet & Greet area is available for one-on-one conversations with institutions that support professional practice, such as copyright and interest organizations, funding bodies, etc.

Assuming you already possess a foundation of knowledge in this area, gained during your education, it remains valuable to receive tailored advice and connect with different individuals. Engaging in dialogue, asking questions, and seeking personalized guidance can be tremendously advantageous. Remember, every conversation holds value, so feel at ease – no question is too unconventional, and every topic holds relevance! This is your opportunity to meet these professional organizations in an informal setting and ask them anything that crosses your mind. The participating organizations are: DuPho, Kunstenbond, AFK, Pictoright, Kees de Boekhouder, Mondriaan Fonds, voordekunst and Cultuur en Ondernemen.

In the Pitch Area, supporting institutions provide ten-minute pitches about their organization to the participating artists. The participating organizations are: DuPho, Kunstenbond, AFK, Pictoright, Kees de Boekhouder, Mondriaan Fonds and Cultuur en Ondernemen.

Artist description texts can often be difficult to understand. How do you create a good text as a young artist? Arty Party helps you with this. Come to our Artist Statement Desk, sit down with one of our writers, and get feedback on your current text. With small changes, you can reach a much wider audience by clearly and invitingly conveying your message. Participating in the artist statement desk: Manus Groen, Zoë Dankert, Roxy Merrell.

Arty Party wouldn't be complete without organizing our captivating speed dates with some of the finest experts in the arts. You are more than welcome to join us and bring your portfolio to the table, where you can receive valuable feedback on your work. The speed dates are open to everyone, whether you are self-taught, still studying, or have already graduated. The only requirement is to secure a ticket to Arty Party, so make sure to grab yours now! Please note that the speed dates operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive on time. Participating in the speed dates: Désirée Kroep, Lotte van Es, Daria Tuminas, Laura Vanrijckeghem, Rowan Stol, Anne van der Weijden, Fleur & Wouter, Mulan Go, Jan Hoek, Rubiah Balsem.