DIY Handbook For Independent Clubs

The Chain of Music (Venues) Pluralism is a collaborative project between two  organizations—Autonomous Cultural Center from Croatia and Crna Kuća 13 from Serbia—with the primary goal of developing conditions for the self-sustainability of small music venues by strengthening the human and programmatic capacities of organizations, as well as encouraging international program cooperation and networking among small music venues.

The working philosophies of both organizations are rooted in the DIY ethos, and they have emerged from the ground up as a response to the needs of the cultural and artistic scene, with strong social and collective engagement. Their greatest recognition in the music scene comes from managing music venues—Club Attack within the Medika venue and Club CK13 in Crna Kuća. Although they come from two urban centers—Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and Novi Sad, the center of Vojvodina—on a local level, there are no models of small music venues like these.

Independent music venues in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans face numerous challenges in their pursuit of self-sustainability. They are key hubs for the development of the music scene, yet there is no systematic support from local and national authorities, which threatens their long-term stability.

The main challenges addressed by this project include financial self-sustainability, (non)competitiveness in relation to commercial and mainstream venues, insufficient education of young professionals working in creative industries, and limited opportunities for the development of human capacities within small music venues.

The project has strengthened the programmatic and human capacities of the organizations through training for music industry professionals, performances by musicians/bands of various genres, an artist-in-residence program, audio streaming of concerts on community radio, a music compilation, and the creation of a network of small music venues. It has also expanded program collaboration and involved other organizations from Southeast Europe and the Balkans.

AKC operates in a former squat located in the old Medika factory, which has been revitalized and adapted to meet the needs of various artistic, cultural, and social programs, providing a unique space for work. Musicians who participated in the project had a direct connection with the local community, and the creative work within the residency programs had a site-specific character. On the other hand, CK13, in addition to being a traditional music club, includes spaces for other artistic and social programs, creating a synergy between artists and the local community, which utilizes the space for various needs and programs.

The project is based on inclusive policies and gender equality, ensuring the equal representation of women in program creation—each concert promoted the work of female artists, while the artist-in-residence program prioritized young female artists and musicians. The musical aspect of the project focused on fusions of different unconventional styles that challenge mainstream commercial music genres, enriching the diversity of musical expression and attracting new audiences. Finally, the project emphasizes the importance of implementing green policies and sustainability by using innovative communication models with its audience and participants.

This handbook was created as a result of educational programs, implemented through this project. A training session on cultural production and the organization of music festivals was held in Novi Sad, followed by a public relations training in Zagreb. These training sessions were intended for young members of our independent music club collectives.

By publishing this handbook, we wanted to share the knowledge gained during the training, as well as the experience of senior collective members, with all of you who are embarking on the adventure of organizing music programs or running independent clubs for the first time.

In this handbook, you will find tips and tricks on how to organize a concert, how to best use social media for promotion and visibility, and how to prepare a media package effectively. As a bonus, we have included a vegan cookbook, since both of our clubs always prepare vegan food for visiting musicians and artists at our various festivals. With this cookbook, we hope to inspire and encourage you to explore the world of cooking—it’s not only practical but also sustainable.

Enjoy!

AKC Attack and CK13 Teams

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