IBB Radio: Empowering Creative Youth and Communities in Curaçao

Addressing Creative Isolation on CuraCao

Instituto Bueno Bista (IBB), Curaçao’s center for contemporary art, was founded in 2006 by Tirzo Martha and David Bade. It offers a two-year creative preparatory course and a residency for international artists.The school was set up because Curaçao students in the Netherlands face an average dropout rate of 80%. The jump from school to higher education needed to be addressed.

Meanwhile, monopolised media on the island left underrepresented communities and niche genres with little space to be heard. The founders had dreamed of their own radio station for two years. Internet radio was accessible, with global reach.

Launching IBB Radio

Art is Home spent five weeks on the island to activate the project and launch a 24/7 independent internet radio station:

• Onboarding students and external makers
• Defining a brand strategy
• Building systems to keep the station running
• Engaging local communities and spreading the word globally
• Partnering with Radio WORM in Rotterdam

Workshops and Tutorials

• Kickoff: “Make Your Own Radio Show!” Students learned the history of pirate radio, discussed media on the island, explored internet radio formats and began concepting shows.
• Technical training: Students learned to use the new studio equipment and broadcast independently.
• Brand activation: Students split into three teams (marketing, studio upgrade, jingles) to expand the brand’s look and feel.
• Brand strategy session: After students asked for marketing advice, we ran an extra session on building a consistent brand. They finished by creating artworks showing who the brand is and who it speaks to, and some were used in campaigns.

Built to Last

We left IBB with a scheduling process, archiving, social media templates, a website updating system and content filing. Four students were trained as the production and engineering team. An open call invited external creatives to pitch shows, and the outreach is still ongoing.

Impact

• Global interest from DJs, artists and sound makers
• Weekly slots at Radio WORM Rotterdam, including a 6-hour launch takeover
• Students who keep in touch with both stations after moving to the Netherlands
• Stronger ties between Curaçao and the Netherlands

Join Our Creative Network

Art is Home continues to support innovative projects like IBB Radio, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, creativity, and community engagement.

See how Art is Home supports participatory radio projects internationally, including Curaçao and Rotterdam.

Get involved with Art is Home projects as a volunteer and contribute to youth media programs globally.