Meervaart Studio
Van idee tot podium: een bruisend begin van 2026
Workshops, Labs, showcases, masterclasses en clubavonden
The first quarter of 2026 was a thriving start for Meervaart Studio. Workshops, labs, showcases and club nights offered young Amsterdam talent plenty of opportunities to experiment, develop new skills and gain stage experience.
From DJs and dancers to filmmakers and photographers: participants could showcase their work, meet new people and grow in an inspiring and supportive environment. This quarter once again demonstrated how Meervaart Studio brings together talent, connection and personal development. It was hard work over these first three months but we've created some wonderful things.
9 nieuwe workshop groepen
We zijn het jaar sterk gestart met nieuwe docenten zoals Fjodor Jozefzoon & Dany (Dani van Velthoven) en een groep vaste gastcoaches zoals DJ Lee Millz, Deejay Abstract, Milou (Her name is Lou), Joshua J en Steffie Lahaye. We bouwen continu aan een diverse en inspirerende pool van coaches. De workshops zaten vol en we zien deelnemers groeien en nieuwe behoeften ontwikkelen. Er wordt steeds vaker gevraagd naar vervolgtrajecten na de beginnerslessen, zoals bij de beats lessen van Joshua J., en ook naar concrete eind presentaties. Zo organiseerde de songwritinggroep onder leiding van Milou op aanvraag een eigen showcase, een mooie afsluiting van hun traject.
This season too, there has been plenty of work and creation in our Labs. The Theater Lab and Dance Lab have now been successfully completed, with beautiful final presentations in which participants showcased their growth and individual signature. At the same time, the Photo Lab, Film Lab and DJ Lab are still in full swing: intensive work is currently underway on new productions, original work and performances. The Labs remain a dynamic space where development, experimentation and presentation go hand in hand.
Meervaart Studio Theater Lab
Production 'Kom pleintje!'
On Thursday, January 15, we presented the montage production 'Kom pleintje!' in the Blue Hall of Meervaart. 'Kom pleintje!' was the final result of the Meervaart Studio Theater Lab, under the direction of director Elisa Costa and assistant director Ashanti Lord.
'Kom pleintje!' brought together a series of coming-of-age stories, told by and about a diverse group of young people who meet in a square. Themes such as friendship, growing up, love, uncertainty, dreams and memories came together in a personal and relatable way. The cast visibly demonstrated the growth they had made over the past months, both artistically and personally.
The evening was characterized by a full theater, a warm atmosphere and an enthusiastic audience. Coaches, participants and present family members left the theater visibly proud and happy. This successful production underscores the value of the Meervaart Studio Theater Lab as a platform for young Amsterdam theater talent.
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Meervaart Studio Dance Lab
Performance 'Sorority'
On February 16, the dancers of the Meervaart Studio Dance Lab, guided by Sophie Tukker and in collaboration with ISH Academy, presented the performance 'Sorority'.
Sorority is a powerful celebration and exploration of femininity. In a world where women often have to prove themselves, this performance centers a different truth: being a woman is inherently powerful.
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Meervaart Studio Foto Lab
Expo 'Public Intimacy'
With the 16th edition, 'Public Intimacy', the Meervaart Studio Foto Lab continues this tradition. 'Public Intimacy', once again in collaboration with Foam and this time with photographer Hanane El Ouardani, presents a new generation of artists and their personal stories.
The participating photographers — Lieke van Dam, Lucette Vink, Khansae Bourjila, Vera Silsbury, Willemijn van der Waal, Yacelyn Anthonio, Lauren Sterke, Paandyar Pourseyf, Sabien Kuilman, Manu Maste, Leo van der Oost and Dewi Veldhuizen — present work created through reflection, experimentation and dialogue. The photographers explore their relationship to one another, their bodies and their memories, and question how and to what extent we make ourselves visible — or keep ourselves hidden.
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Meervaart Studio Film Lab
Work in progress
The Meervaart Studio Film Lab is in full swing! Since February 12, young filmmakers have been working weekly on their own short films – from writing to shooting and editing. Under the guidance of Paulien van Hummel and with input from alumni of the Netherlands Film Academy, they are developing their own style and story. And the premiere is coming: soon their films will be screened on the big screen at the Netherlands Film Academy!
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Meervaart Studio DJ Lab
Work in progress
Following an inspiring kick-off on February 4th, our talented DJs are back in full swing. They gather weekly to build their sound, their skills and their unique identity as artists. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, they work hard on everything that comes with a professional DJ career: from artistic development to branding, performance and networking.
The energy is high, the motivation is strong and the decks are running overtime. This program is the place where new sounds are born and where the next generation of DJs develops.
Stay tuned… there's much more to come!
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In addition to the workshops and Labs, Meervaart Studio is buzzing with activities. We organized, among other things, an inspiring masterclass, an open mic evening, Break A Leg Dance Battle, a club night, a live stream, and there is plenty of free work happening daily in the studios. This mix of activities creates a vibrant community where meeting, making, and presenting take center stage.
Meervaart Studio Poetry Café
National Theater Weekend
On January 23, we organized another edition of the Meervaart Studio Poetry Café as part of the National Theater Weekend. This open mic evening provided word artists with a platform to showcase new work and experiment with language, form, and performance. Hosted by Smita James, ten word artists took to the stage.
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Stream Session with DJs Shaniqua Devine, Delayh Bo, Chayenne Pearl, DJ VKS & Shivi Grace
The Stream Sessions continue to be a valuable part of our programming this season. During these evenings, in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, DJs from the Meervaart Studio community get the chance to showcase their own sound.
The sets are recorded and streamed live online, so both the studio audience and viewers at home can enjoy the experience. For the fifth edition, three DJs from our DJ pool – Shaniqua Devine, Delayh Bo and Chayenne Pearl – put together an energetic line-up, complemented by DJ VKS and Shivi Grace, for an evening full of talent, music and creativity.
Break A Leg Dance Battle
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Meervaart was entirely dedicated to the annual Break A Leg Dance Battle. The streetstyle dance event brought together around 2,000 dancers and visitors for a day filled with talent, competition, networking, and hip hop culture. With crews, battles, workshops, and an art market, the entire venue was transformed into a vibrant hub for the Dutch hip hop community.
In total, 62 crews – comprising approximately 900 dancers – took to the stage in the categories Minis, Kids, Juniors, Adults, and Mega Crews. The audience was treated to powerful choreography, musicality, and impressive performances where team spirit and originality took center stage. Additionally, 150 solo dancers participated in the Seven2Smoke battles in breaking and hip hop. In these intense one-on-one rounds, it was all about endurance, creativity, musicality, and personal style.
Throughout the venue there were also workshops, cyphers, showcases, and an art market. In doing so, Break A Leg offered more than just competition: the event presented a complete hip hop experience.
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Vocal Masterclass Sarah-Jane
The vocal masterclass with Sarah-Jane was a great success and aligned seamlessly with the vision of Meervaart Studio, where deepening and artistic development are central. Young creators had the opportunity to connect directly with an experienced artist who shared her creative process openly and honestly.
During the session, the focus was not only on technique, but rather on awareness, reflection, and translating personal experiences into musical expression. Participants were challenged to get closer to their own sound and discover new layers in their artistry. It was an inspiring evening where talent, connection, and growth came together.
Jangal x Chicago Social Club X Meervaart Studio
Hosting club nights provides our DJs with realistic stage experience, teaches them how to engage with a live audience, and builds their confidence. On March 14, DJ Lab participants Qeml, MDDYY, Chayenne Pearl, Sukana Nova and Cozy Nino performed at the bar of Chicago Social Club during Jangal AMS's party. The event was a great collaboration and strengthened the connection between Meervaart Studio, the DJs, and the local music scene.
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DIY – Vrijwerken
Vrij werken blijft onverminderd populair. Jongeren maken actief gebruik van de studio’s om zelfstandig of samen te oefenen en hun skills verder te ontwikkelen. Members van 15–26 jaar kunnen hierkosteloos gebruik van maken tijdens de vrije werkuren, inbegrepen bij hun lidmaatschap. Het lidmaatschap is gekoppeld aan deelname aan workshops of Lab, of kan los worden aangeschaft door oude deelnemers.
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