Pillar 2:
Inclusion in culture and through culture

Priority 11:
Providing access to cultural programmes for all, ensuring that barriers to access to culture are addressed

Within Vienna’s club scene, there was a strong desire to use public spaces for music-related activities, along with more flexible conditions for organising small-scale, non-commercial events legally. The aim was to give young adults a low-barrier, independent way to take part in the city’s cultural life and help shape it themselves.  

In response, the Vienna Club Commission, together with stakeholders from the club culture scene and the City of Vienna, launched Free Spaces, a project designed exclusively for DJs which offers them potential venues and unbureaucratic conditions to legally organise events. 

The city supports these events by providing an electricity supply and managing on-site waste disposal, including mobile toilet facilities for event dates. DJ collectives apply directly to the Vienna Club Commission for event dates and receive organisational support throughout.  

The concept has proven effective as numerous events have taken place without significant conflicts over use or noise complaints. For the city, it has become clear how important it is to have secure organisational and infrastructural frameworks for non-commercial event formats in public spaces.