Big changes for them. Maybe there are no more “network cultures.”<\/p>\n
Dear friends,<\/p>\n
things have been turbulent here lately. As you may know, due to Geert’s mandatory retirement (in NL at 67), our research unit, the Institute of Network Cultures (founded in 2004) will be closed and no longer operate inside the Amsterdam University of Applied Science (HvA). It will continue as an NGO\/cultural organization.<\/p>\n
In recent years, we\u2019ve developed ourselves as a Gen Z theory hub with an emphasis on social media critique, precarity in the arts and girl theory. Besides that, we\u2019re constantly breaking new ground in digital publishing and live streaming (provided by our VOID group). Here\u2019s an internal document with an overview of the short-term plans: https:\/\/cryptpad.fr\/pad\/#\/2\/pad\/edit\/2XsRDYEHRoZhLFQNdIISGNa6\/.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind, there\u2019s not yet a long-term vision. Of course we will make new beginnings, but over the past year we\u2019ve been too busy with archiving, producing tonnes of final year publications while still at HvA and the organization of the INC Exit Fest. Here you can read the fantastic documentation of our event that happened in Amsterdam on June 22-24, 2026: https:\/\/etherport.org\/publications\/inc\/ExitFest\/.<\/p>\n
From September 1, 2026, changes at INC will be drastic. While we will still own and run our autonomous website https:\/\/networkcultures.org\/ (and will be able to maintain in the foreseable future), we still go back to zero staff, zero budget, without an office.<\/p>\n
INC has become a legal Dutch entity (society with members or \u2018vereniging\u2019), with a bank account. This is not the issue. You can all become member. We will apply for small Dutch cultural grants and join European consortia. However, the outcome of these efforts are unknown and most likely finance small projects in 2027 but not enough to employ staff. For the time being, INC 2.0 will have to survive as an internet-based volunteer organization. The chance that it will fold are real.<\/p>\n
Lately, many of you have expressed support for INC and wondered why there\u2019s no grant, charity, or fund that can provide short-term financial support to bridge the coming difficult period of transition. There is a wide consent that the vital, critical work that is so badly needed in this age of Big Tech can be continued. Our work is known across the globe and lately there\u2019s been a real surge in high-level, inventive critical work by young people. The network is strong so we should not allow this precious gem to simply disappear.<\/p>\n
What we need is a hack, some good luck, a golden tip. We have a simple request: if in the coming period you see or hear anything that could help us, let us know. You can contact Geert, Sepp, Tommaso, Chlo\u00eb, Ruben, Mela of the core team or write to info@networkcultures.<\/p>\n
All the best from Geert & the INC team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Big changes for them. Maybe there are no more “network cultures.” Dear friends, things have been turbulent here lately. As you may know, due to Geert’s mandatory retirement (in NL at 67), our research unit, the Institute of Network Cultures (founded in 2004) will be closed and no longer operate inside the Amsterdam University of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"\n