Photo Exhibition Public Intimacy part 2
From April 22 to May 26, the photo exhibition Public Intimacy was on display at Meervaart. The exhibition presented work by young photographers from the Meervaart Studio Photo Lab, developed in collaboration with Foam and photographer Hanane El Ouardani. 
 
In the exhibition, the participants explored personal themes such as intimacy, identity, memories, and the relationship to their own bodies. The result was a series of intimate and personal images in which the public and personal converged. With this exhibition, Meervaart Studio once again provided a platform for young photography talent and creative development within Amsterdam Nieuw-West.

During the program, young DJs worked under the guidance of experienced coaches, including DJ Rockefellababe, on their technical skills, performance, and artist identity. In addition to workshops and coaching, the focus was on developing a unique sound, building a network, and finding a place within the Amsterdam music scene. 

Throughout the program, a tight-knit community emerged in which participants not only learned from professionals, but also from each other. Outside the studio, the DJs participated in inspiring activities, including a visit to GLXY Radio, where they engaged in conversations about visibility, identity, and success within the music industry. 

The program concluded with various showcase moments, with the highlight being the final show on May 13 at The Tequila Club. Additionally, Streaming Sessions #3 took place there, where live DJ sets were recorded and streamed for a broader online audience. The DJ Lab once again confirmed the role of Meervaart Studio as an important launchpad for emerging DJ talent in Amsterdam. 

13 mei | Streaming sessie 3 - The Tequila Club
Het DJ Lab werd feestelijk afgesloten met een eindavond in Tequila Bar, waar 13 jonge, opkomende dj's hun ontwikkeling presenteerden aan publiek. De deelnemers draaiden ieder een eigen set en lieten zien welke stappen zij tijdens het traject hebben gezet. De avond stond in het teken van talent, ontmoeting en het vieren van hun groei als dj. Daarnaast werd het evenement live gestreamd, waardoor ook een breder publiek de optredens kon volgen. De afsluiting vormde een mooie bekroning van een succesvol traject en gaf de deelnemers waardevolle podiumervaring.

15 & 16 May | Writerscamp
In May, Meervaart Studio organised a 24-hour Writerscamp in which 25 young artists, producers, songwriters, rappers and beatmakers collaborated on new music. During the weekend, participants wrote, produced and recorded in various studio sessions, resulting in more than 30 new tracks. Beyond the creative process, meeting and collaboration were also central: young creators had the opportunity to build new connections, exchange ideas and strengthen each other artistically.
 
The participants were guided by professionals from the music industry, including Leeroy, Esperanza Denswil, Quinna Fowru, Aelia Sapph and Joshua J. Their coaching helped participants challenge themselves creatively and get the most out of the sessions. The Writerscamp once again underscored the importance of spaces where young talent can develop.

May 31 | Showcase Dance Lab 'Fragments' Meervaart Young Festival 
During the Meervaart Young Festival, dancers from the Meervaart Studio Dance Lab presented a scene from the production Fragments (under the direction of coach/choreographer Herrold Anakotta, in collaboration with the ISH Academy). The presentation was part of the festival program and offered the audience an insight into the possibilities of talent development at Meervaart. 

For young participants in the Meervaart Young programs, including the youngest talents, it became clear how artistic growth can develop into a presentation on a professional stage and further development within the field. Fragments demonstrated how a learning journey can lead to follow-up projects and broader opportunities in practice. 

June 1 | Oorzaken Podcast Listening Session
On Monday, June 1, Meervaart hosted a special live edition of the OmaMa podcast, which was nominated for the MIMA award. Audiomaker and presenter Dija Kabba took the audience on a personal and moving journey together with composer Nana Adjoa, exploring stories about family, loss, racism, and reconciliation. 

In an intimate club setting, the audience was immersed in the world of OmaMa: a story that delves deep into Dija's family history, where memories, beliefs, and generations intersect. The live performance was musically supported by Nana Adjoa, giving the whole event an additional layered and emotional atmosphere. 

Afterwards, the makers engaged in conversation with the audience about the creative process, the personal quest behind the documentary, and the central themes within it. This fostered openness, recognition, and valuable conversations in the room. 

OmaMa is a production by OORZAKEN in collaboration with NTR DOCS and Buma in Motion. The platform OORZAKEN is dedicated to powerful audio stories in which personal experiences and social themes come together. Previously, OORZAKEN collaborated with Meervaart on the Oorzaken Podcast Academy Nieuw-West, in which young makers centered their own neighborhood and voice in the series Pleinen vol verhalen. 

The evening was guided by Soumaya Bazi and brought together a unique mix of emotion, reflection, and connection. The audience listened, shared, and engaged with one another — it was precisely these open moments that made the evening so powerful. 

6 juni | DJ Masterclass
Op 7 juni organiseerde we een DJ Masterclass Dag voor beginnende en intermediate dj's van 15 tot en met 26 jaar. Tijdens deze inspirerende dag namen deelnemers deel aan een panelgesprek met ervaren dj's, gevolgd door praktische workshops waarin zij werkten aan hun techniek, sound en artistieke ontwikkeling. Onder begeleiding van Rockefelababe en master dj's Waxfiend en dj Raziyah ontvingen deelnemers persoonlijke feedback en waardevolle inzichten uit de praktijk. De dag werd afgesloten met presentaties en een netwerkmoment, waarin deelnemers hun werk met elkaar deelden. Met ruimte voor maximaal 30 deelnemers was er veel aandacht voor individuele begeleiding en talentontwikkeling. Voor deze speciale editie stelde Meervaart Studio de masterclass open voor deelnemers uit heel Nederland, waardoor jong dj-talent ook buiten Amsterdam kon deelnemen.

12 juni | Film Lab eindpresentatie   
Op vrijdag 12 juni vond in de Blauwe Zaal de feestelijke première van de Film Lab Short Movies plaats. Jonge filmmakers uit het Meervaart Studio Film Lab presenteerden hun eigen korte films aan publiek in de Blauwe Zaal en lieten zien wat zij tijdens het Film Lab traject hebben ontwikkeld op het gebied van scenario, regie, cameravoering en montage. 

De première vormde een mooie afsluiting van een succesvol talentontwikkelingstraject, dat in samenwerking met de Nederlandse Filmacademie wordt uitgevoerd. De avond benadrukte de kracht van het Film Lab als plek waar jong filmtalent de ruimte krijgt om te groeien, te creëren en hun werk te presenteren aan een breed publiek. 

June 20 | Pop up performances 24 hours Nieuw-West
During 24 hours Nieuw-West x the Blauwe Zone Festival, Meervaart Studio organized an afternoon program on June 20 with pop-up performances by young talent from Amsterdam. Between 14:00 and 16:00, emerging artists from the disciplines of music and spoken word presented their work to the public in the outdoor space of Meervaart Studio. Artists such as De$tiney, MC Juni, Faye, Demi van den Wollenberg and Amma The Moon showcased their work in short, accessible performances. The program was dedicated to creativity, encounter and visibility for young talent from Nieuw-West and beyond.