ZOMERSKL Radio

Overview

The aim of this project was to set up a participatory radio installation during the All You Can Art (AYCA) summer school, creating radio programmes by and for students, visitors and participants from partner organisations.

This project served as a bridge between the art and radio worlds of Curaçao and Rotterdam, with a strong focus on social inclusion and creative expression. The aim of ZOMERSKL Radio was to make art more accessible to a wide audience through a radio installation, involving both local and international communities.

Through the installation, participants could make their voices heard, and connections were made between different groups, from the young to the elderly and from art students to vulnerable communities.

Activities

From the Kick-off of AYCA on 19 July 2024 until 31 August 2024, we produced daily radio programmes in the auditorium of Kunsthal Rotterdam.

Activities included:

Workshops: We gave a crash course to AYCA summer school students and participants from partner organisations (Pauluskerk, Reakt, Laurens opuderenzorg) on making radio programmes.

Live and recorded broadcasts: Daily time slots were reserved in which both students and visitors could broadcast their radio programmes. These programmes were broadcast via IBBRadio (Curaçao) and Radio WORM (Rotterdam).

Special events: During AYCA’s Kickoff on 19 September, the ‘Great Knit-off’ on 11 August and the AYCA Finissage on 25 August, a special radio programme was produced that reflected the highlights of the project.

Community-building: Due to the lack of full funding, the radio installation provided a valuable platform for volunteer engagement. This gave volunteers the opportunity to connect with each other, work together to set up and manage the radio station, and gain valuable skills. This collaboration not only led to the successful realisation of the project, but also formed the basis for lasting relationships and friendships that will continue even after the completion of the project.

Summary

73 radio programmes were produced, recorded and archived for future listeners. In total, this produced 96 hours of sound art, all created live at the Kunsthal.

There was special programming to document the AYCA Summer School, including an inspiring lecture by Tirzo Martha on his life, work and artistic process, as well as full radio coverage of key events such as the Kickoff, the Great Knit-Off, and the Finissage.

More than 50 volunteers actively contributed to the project, including students, seniors and participants from partner organisations, who created radio programmes independently.

A collaborative playlist of more than 14 hours enabled those who were not yet ready to appear live on the radio to still participate by adding songs to the list.

25 posts on Instagram were posted to promote our international collaborations between Curaçao and Rotterdam radio makers. These efforts led to valuable cultural exchange and connection, and attracted radio makers from both Curaçao and the Netherlands to contribute to the radio project at the Kunsthal

We have raised awareness of internet radio and made it more accessible to a wide audience. Our radio installation has given both new and experienced radio makers the chance to explore internet radio, leading to greater engagement. Some producers want to further develop their programmes at Radio WORM and IBBRadio, which opens up opportunities for future collaborations with local producers.