ZOMERSKL Radio: Connecting Communities Through Sound at AYCA 2024

A Participatory Radio Project

During the All You Can Art (AYCA) Summer School 2024, Art is Home launched ZOMERSKL Radio, a participatory radio installation that created radio programmes by and for students, visitors, and participants from partner organisations.

ZOMERSKL Radio bridged the artistic and radio worlds of Curaçao and Rotterdam, with a strong focus on social inclusion, cultural exchange, and community engagement. The installation allowed participants of all ages, from students to seniors, to share their voices, ideas, and stories, making art and radio more accessible to diverse audiences.

Activities and Highlights

From 19 July to 31 August 2024, ZOMERSKL Radio produced daily radio programmes at the Kunsthal Rotterdam auditorium, including:

• Workshops: Crash courses on creating radio programmes were offered to AYCA summer school students and participants from Pauluskerk, Reakt, and Laurens Ouderenzorg.
• Live and Recorded Broadcasts: Students and visitors produced radio shows broadcast through IBBRadio (Curaçao) and Radio WORM (Rotterdam).
• Special Events Programming: Key events like the AYCA Kickoff, the Great Knit-Off, and the Finissage inspired special radio segments.
• Community-Building: Over 50 volunteers contributed, connecting with each other, learning radio production skills, and forming lasting relationships.

Sound, Storytelling, and Cultural Exchange

In total, 73 radio programmes were produced, creating 96 hours of live sound art, now archived for future listeners. Highlights included:

• Lectures and interviews, including an inspiring session with Tirzo Martha on his life, work, and artistic process.
• Collaborative playlists with 14+ hours of curated music, allowing participants who were not ready to do a live broadcast to contribute.
• 25 Instagram posts documenting the international collaboration between Curaçao and Rotterdam radio makers.

The project strengthened awareness of internet radio, offering opportunities for new and experienced radio producers to explore and expand their creative work, including potential future collaborations with Radio WORM and IBBRadio.

Empowering Communities Through Participatory Radio

ZOMERSKL Radio demonstrated how creative projects can foster inclusion, connection, and cross-cultural dialogue. By combining art, radio, and community engagement, participants from different generations, backgrounds, and abilities:

• Gained hands-on experience in radio production and broadcasting
• Shared personal stories, music, and ideas
• Built meaningful connections across local and international communities
• Contributed to a dynamic, multi-sensory cultural experience

Curious to listen back to some ZOMERSKL Radio content? Find the online archive here: https://www.mixcloud.com/radiowormrotterdam/playlists/zomerskl-x-ayca/

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Explore how Art is Home continues to connect communities through participatory art, workshops, and installations. From radio to visual arts, there’s a space for everyone to contribute, collaborate, and create!