Welcome to the Open Call for The Lab!

STPLN has been a center for DIY culture in Malmö for over ten years. Many projects have been born and grown here. Since 2022, STPLN has run the cultural incubator The Lab, which is a skills development program for the independent cultural scene and the creative industries. It is a platform for freelancers and small businesses that produce the raw materials of the creative industries: art, music, dance, design, literature, podcasts, films, photography, performances, exhibitions, architecture, games and more. 

The Lab is a place based & community driven initiative where you as a practitioner can receive the support you need for your professional development, as well as the chance to form and nurture relationships with fellow practitioners, the public and private sector.

The Lab runs over 12 months and gives you as a participant:

• A shared workspace with fellow Lab members & alumni

• Access to workshops, media equipment, and tools

• One-on-ones tailored to your business needs and interests

• A curated program of workshops and lectures focused on broadening your knowledge of economic, legal, sustainable, organizing, communicative, marketing, and digital aspects of your business

• Access to the venue, event equipment and production guidance when you want to try, explore, and launch new directions for your business

The workshops are open and free to everyone active in the independent cultural scene and creative industries, regardless of whether you have a place in the program or not. If it's only the workshops that you are interested in, you do not need to apply to the program to gain access to them. Instead, sign up for our newsletter that goes out once a month about which workshops are offered. Subscribe here!

The Lab is run by STPLN / Föreningen Stapelbädden and is funded by Region Skåne and Malmö City. If you have any questions please reach out to lab@stpln.se

Who can apply?

Working in the cultural and creative sectors requires knowledge and skills beyond your individual creative practice. Beyond this one often needs to have a wider palette of provision, often needing to be a multitasker that works with both ones creative business and a day job in order to make ends meet och in order to stay independent inte the cultural and creative industries. We want the Lab to be an inclusive initiative that welcomes all, regardless if you are taking your first steps with your creative business and need help, or have heaps of experience and need a desk and networking.

The requirements for the Lab are the following;

• Freelancer in the CCI:s (individual or group)

• Work at least 50% in the CCI:s

• Have a goodmunderstanding of your creative practice/process

• Want to improve the business side of your creative business

• Want to be a part of a context where a collective exchange of experiences and knowledge is central

• Want to create and nurture relationships with other practitioners, and contribute and support each other in a collective

How do I apply?

The application window is open twice a year. The next application window is 05 – 19 June. The application process is based on answering to questions about your creative business, what your plans are for the coming 12 months, and what you can and are willing to contribute to this context. The questionnaire will also ask you to provide;

• CV

• Portfolio / Work samples