Are you looking for professional support, a vibrant community, and a place where your ideas can grow through collaboration?

What is The Lab?

The Lab is a community driven &  place-based initiative where you as a practitioner can receive the support you need for your professional development, as well as the chance to form and nurture relationships with fellow practitioners, the public and private sector.

  • An incubator program for self-employed artists and creators

  • A space surrounded by fellow creatives

  • A project providing tools to build sustainable businesses: economically, socially and legally

Read more about The Lab

Who are you?

  • Freelancer in the CCI:s (individual or group)

  • Work at least 50% in the CCSI

  • Have a good understanding of your creative practice / process

  • Want to improve the business side of your creative business

  • Want to be a part of a context where a collective exchange of experiences and knowledge is central

  • Want to create and nurture relationships with other practitioners, and contribute and support each other in a collective

What do you get?

  • A shared workspace in STPLNs offices, surrounded by cultural professionals and fellow participants of The Lab

  • Access to workshops, media equipment, and tools

  • One-on-ones tailored to your needs and interests

  • A curated program of workshops and lectures focused on broadening your knowledge of economic, legal, sustainable, organizing, communicative, marketing, and digital aspects of your business

  • Access to STPLN event venue, equipment and production guidance

Apply now and become part of The Lab at STPLN.

Apply here!

FAQ

  • Does it cost anything to be a part of The Lab?

Being a member of The Lab is completely free. Everything you get and have access to during your enrolment is ENTIRELY FREE OF COST. The vast majority of the events and workshops happening at STPLN are completely free, and so is our free co-working space that welcomes all.

  • What is expected of me?

The expectations are that you participate and engage to the best of your abilities and circumstances. The Lab has a couple of mandatory elements; the first one is that each member engages with a social contract that is founded on STPLNs values and principles. The membership contract details what is expected from members in The Lab and is presented to applicants who are offered with a membership offer.

The second mandatory element is that each member commits to attending two out of the three key meetups we have throughout the year (onboarding, midpoint review, and moving forward meetups). The Lab and STPLN never want you to forfeit family & friends or paying work, meaning that we do our best to accommodate you.

  • Do I get some form of reimbursement from the Lab and STPLN when I’m a member of the Lab?

The Lab and STPLN do not offer reimbursement or financial support to members of The Lab. The Lab supports its members through “funding in kind”-logics, meaning STPLN offers its resources to members in terms of event space, equipment, and more. The Lab and STPLN also offers its members access to different funding options that freelancers generally do not have access to, as STPLN is a part of many different networks and collaborations - across local and international scales.

  • What does “work at least 50% in CCSI” mean?

The Lab and STPLN understands that working as a free and independent creator in CCSI* can at times be challenging. The Lab started as a response to the precarious working conditions that creators face. We understand that one often needs to have a wider palette of provision, often needing to be a multitasker that works with both ones creative business and a day job in order to make ends meet and in order to stay independent in the cultural and creative industries. “Work at least 50% in CCSI” means that you are committed to your creative business both in spirit and time, and are interested in developing in. The Lab is not oriented towards creative initiatives that operate as hobbies or the like. However, STPLN as an organisation is truly invested in facilitating and making it possible for all creative initiatives to be realised - no matter their scale - and offer our facilities FREE OF COST if you are interested in organising a cultural or creative event. CTA event-mail

*CCSI stands for cultural and creative sector and industries.