40verse pre-launch

On Monday 7 September, we will present the first version of 40verse at Garage Noord: an autonomous cultural agenda built on a open social network for the city.

After years of technical pioneering, open social networks are beginning to emerge as a serious alternative to the platforms we currently depend on. In Amsterdam in particular, a broad movement is taking shape in which technology, culture and municipal policy are coming together to develop practical alternatives.

Together with Waag Futurelab and the City of Amsterdam’s Innovation Department, we would like to show you what this makes possible.

We would be delighted to have you there, not only as a guest, but also as someone who, from your own position, can play a part in what comes next.

We are honoured that Deputy Mayor Van der Horst, responsible for Digital Affairs, will attend and open the programme. The evening will also bring together a broad group of people from across Amsterdam: large and small cultural organisations, ticketing partners, funds, knowledge institutions, policymakers and those who have supported 40verse from the very beginning.

Programme

5:00 PM – Doors open 5:30 PM – Introduction by Deputy Mayor Van der Horst, subject to confirmation 5:45 PM – 40verse presentation ✨ 6:30 PM – The future of open social media and the Culture Coalition 7:00 PM – Drinks, demonstration and Q&A

After the presentations, you will be able to create your own account, try out 40verse and continue the conversation over drinks.

Practical information

Date: Monday 7 September 2026 Time: 5:00–8:00 PM Location: Garage Noord Address: Gedempt Hamerkanaal 40, Amsterdam

Background

Amsterdam’s cultural sector has become increasingly dependent on a small number of commercial platforms to reach its audiences. As a result, our visibility, audience data and digital relationships now largely lie beyond our own control.

During the pre-launch, we will demonstrate how cultural events can be exchanged between different organisations and systems through open social networks. We will also present the progress of the Culture Coalition, a growing partnership working towards a future-proof digital infrastructure for the cultural sector.

This evening marks the completion of an important phase in the development of 40verse, but above all, the beginning of something bigger.