In 2026, the Academy of Subcultural Understanding will host its first global edition, open to new and future leaders in subcultural spaces from all continents.
For this edition, the Academy offers three weeks of on-site seminars and hands-on experience in Berlin from September 14 – October 4, 2026, for eight successful applicants. Online sessions (every two weeks starting in July) will prepare you for your arrival in Berlin.
The Academy supports young people and their visions for clubs and subculture in their respective cities. We especially encourage applications from people working in cities without a well-curated underground club, without a thriving subculture, or lacking spaces for young people to gather.
The program is built on two main pillars: theory seminars and project development workshops. Seminars cover topics such as booking, door management, awareness, and administration. Project development happens throughout the program, featuring specialized workshops where the group and invited experts will help you develop your own project. Whether you started a new club within the past year, are planning to open one soon, or are still fine-tuning your vision, we offer practical support and peer feedback to help you move forward.
All successful applicants will come to Berlin to take part in in-person seminars, workshops, and training sessions led by club culture experts. We will meet in Kraftwerk, OHM, and Tresor Berlin, speaking directly with bar managers, club owners, and other professionals about how to run a club, as well as attending events and visiting other nightlife spaces across the city.
