Gdańsk Creative Meetups – a series of meetings hosted by the City Culture Institute (IKM) geared at presenting spectacular, innovative examples of the development of interdisciplinary collaborative networks. The goal is to inspire the creation of a Creative Hub in the city of Gdańsk. The first guests to be featured in the series include: Charles Armstrong of The Trampery in London, Kelem Alper and Emre Erbinger of ATÖLYE in Istanbul, Daniel Blynden and Louise Byng of Impact Hub in Birmingham, and Ewa Voelkel-Krokowicz of Concordia Design w Poznan. The event is free of chargé, taking place on 30 October between 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Olivia Sky Club. Registration required: www.gdanskcreativemeetups.evena.pl.

Gdańsk Creative Meetups is a series geared at presenting models, directions and types of interdisciplinary platforms and networks of cooperation that have been developed in our time, demonstrating the potential that lies at the intersection of activities rooted in culture, society, technology and business.“Creative hubs are platforms and workplaces for people who are considered representatives of creative industries: artists, designers, filmmakers, programmers and start-up entrepreneurs. These industries are quite different from one another with regard to their structure, the sector they operate in and the services offered. Over more than a decade, hundreds of these hubs have sprung up, indicating that the movement is more than a trend – it’s a way of doing business, networking, finding a work balance that is effective and addresses the current needs of the creative sector,” says Aleksandra Szymańska, director of the City Culture Institute.Hubs may be set up from the bottom up as a grassroots collective or cooperative, or they can take the form of labs or incubators – either stationary, mobile or functioning strictly in an online setting. These initiatives can be entirely private undertakings or supported by local authorities that recognise their essential role in the development and the dynamic of the city.On 30 October at the Olivia Sky Club in Gdańsk we’ll hear success stories from major Creative Hubs across Europe, including: The Trampery – established in 2009 in East London by Charles Armstrong. Currently it functions as an eco-system of coworking spaces for entrepreneurs, artists and other creative individuals, while taking into consideration the local community. It has four locations today and a dozen or so programmes for the support of business and creative development among the members of the hub. Our guests from Istanbul – Kerem Alper and Emre Erbinger will talk about ATÖLYE, which has combined the qualities of a creative hub with the real estate sector and graphic design consulting. Among the companies active here are FabLab and a laboratory for urban prototyping. The story of Impact Hub will be shared by its founders Daniel Blyden and Louise Byng. The Birmingham-based hub is part of a global network managed by active residents, businesspeople, activists and reamers who believe in the idea that cities are built by their communities. This hub is focused above all on local projects and supporting their development. Poland is represented by the founder of Concordia Design in Poznan – Ewa Voelkel-Krokowicz. Located in the refurbished Old Printing House, this hub is the first private design centre in Poland, inspiring, educating and stimulating the interest and action of adults and children alike, as well as the business sector. The meeting will be led by Agata Etmanowicz from the Art Inkubator / Fabryka Sztuki.Gdańsk Creative Meetups will continue along two main pathways: Creative Meetups – for Individuals and Creative Meetups for Communities. The latter is focused on creative hubs focused on social innovation that has an impact on local communities.Gdańsk Creative Meetups: New Models for Creative Hubs. In support of artists and communities  | 30 October, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Events are free of charge. Registration required: www.gdanskcreativemeetups.evena.pl. Featured guests Charles Armstrong, CEO – The Trampery (London, UK) Kerem Alper, co-founder, Head of Strategy & Ventures, Emre Erbinger, Communications and Events Lead – ATÖLYE, (Instanbul, Turkey) Daniel Blyden, Design Lead, Louise Byng, Chief Storyteller – Impact Hub Birmingham (UK) Ewa Voelkel Krokowicz, CEO – Concordia Design, (Poznań, Poland) Moderator: Agata Etmanowicz, Art Inkubator / Fabryka SztukiAgenda: 4:00 PM – 5:20 PM – presentation 5:25 PM – 6:35 PM – debate 6:35 PM – 8:00 PM – networkingLocation: Olivia Business Center, Olivia Sky Club. Address: Olivia Tower (10th floor), al. Grunwaldzka 472A, 80-309 Gdańsk Organised by: City Culture Institute / Instytut Kultury Miejskiej In partnership with: British Council, Gdański Inkubator Przedsiębiorczości Starter, Olivia Business Center In cooperation with: City of Gdańsk