Summary 

Open Culture Tech makes new technology, such as AI and holograms, accessible to artists in The Netherlands by developing and sharing publicly available tools, showcases and knowledge.

 

Project Website

Open Culture Tech is an ongoing initiative aimed at making new technology more accessible to artists in The Netherlands. The initiative consists of three key components: developing an open-source toolkit with accessible tools, organizing inspiring live showcases through artists in residence programs, and sharing knowledge with the entire Dutch music industry. 

 

Launched in 2023, Open Culture Tech has successfully developed its own music AI tools, mobile AR tool, and avatar animation tool — already used in over 15 live performances. Between 2025 and 2026, additional residencies, tools and showcases will be introduced. Curious about the 2025-26 edition? Click here check out the residents.

 

 

 

 

The Challenge

 

There is a growing divide between artists with access to technology and those without, resulting in inequality and limited creative autonomy for much of the sector. Many independent and emerging artists struggle with a lack of technological knowledge, skills, and access to user-friendly tools. They also lack creative technology built on public values that protect intellectual property, user privacy and autonomy. These challenges hinder their ability to fully leverage the opportunities that new technology offers, limiting their creative power and economic potential.

 

 

 

 

The Result

 

Open Culture Tech provides artists with accessible tooling, inspiring showcases and actionable knowledge that strengthens the resilience of the Dutch music industry as a whole. In doing so, we remove narrow the gap between established artists with vast resources and those without. Additionally, we have developed a transparent methodology that demonstrates how new music technology can be built on public values and protect intellectual property, privacy and autonomy.

 

 

 

 

Way of working

 

The project is realized through a partnership between Thunderboom and a growing network of tech companies, education institutions, and live venues. Via an open call, artists can pitch original concepts that explore the potential of new technology. Once selected, artists are paired with a tech partner, and together they create new tools, best practices and live showcases. The knowledge and experience gained are then publicly shared with the entire sector.

 

 

 

 

Partners

 

Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, AlxDesign, Reblika, Superposition, Wij Doen Dingen, Bureau Moeilijke Dingen, Bedrijf de Liefde, Chagall, BAM Popauteurs, Popronde, No Man’s Land, BRUT, V2, Music X, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Conservatorium Haarlem, Popacademie ArtEZ, Rockacademie Tilburg, Herman Brood Academie, Effenaar, De Helling, Cinetol.

 

This project is made possible with the support of Innovatielabs and Cultuurloket DigitALL.