Amplify Berlin is a residency program designed to support emerging Berlin-based musicians through mentorships with more established ones in order to facilitate creative development through guidance, a focused work environment and access to resources.

Initiated by ACUD Macht Neu, the program takes place at Kunsthaus ACUD in Berlin-Mitte which houses a club/concert space, a multidisciplinary discursive/performative space, a gallery, a cinema, a theather, Reboot.FM radio station and the headquarters of the CTM Festival, amongst others. It is a vibrant creative, artistic community which has remained at this location for over 25 years. In 2017, the club, studio and gallery spaces alone hosted over 200 events.

Amplify Berlin Portfolio

During each one-month residency period, two emerging artists receive feedback and advice from their mentor, work (together with their mentor and individually) in a private music studio with a range of equipment and software, develop/practice their live set in the ACUD club’s concert space with its professional stage, lighting and PA (with the opportunity to work with the assistance of a sound technician in both), as well as host a radio show on Reboot.FM. They are required to complete at least one track to be shared online and at the end of the month, they play the live set they have prepared at a showcase event at ACUD Club, on a lineup alongside their mentor.

Applicants would be committing to a period of one month for their residency. Note that applicants should be Berlin-based and no accommodations are provided. Applicants are required to commit time to their development in the studio and club spaces at ACUD, in order to focus on their work and complete the program’s objectives. However, they are not required to be available every day of the month.

After the program is completed, the past residents will be invited to meet up regularly at events at ACUD, to continue the ongoing process of artistic development, professional growth and community building.
This program has been co-financed by the Europäischer Fonds für regionale Entwicklung (EFRE) and Musicboard Berlin. The program has been funded until 2021, with a total of 25 mentors and 50 mentees over the three-year period.

The collective Acud Macht Neu runs a multi-disciplinary program in three spaces at Kunsthaus ACUD. Their music program showcases a wide variety of genres and formats, reflecting diverse artists from Berlin and beyond.
Equally important is the support of emerging artists. In addition to Amplify Berlin, the workshop/club series No Shade gives female and non-binary DJs the possibility to train and perform.