Funding Under Fire — how music scenes survive crises (ADE)

Funding Under Fire brings a Ukrainian perspective into ADE’s international discussion of how music communities survive when conventional funding and institutions no longer provide reliable support. Garik Pledov, founder of Brudnyi Pes and Polygon Records, joins Tala Mortada; Tom Frost of Crack Magazine moderates.

The panel explores grassroots fundraising, mutual aid and digital tools that help preserve cultural activity during crises. Announced examples include Kyiv festival teams mobilising artists and community networks, radio as a means of cultural continuity and fundraising in Ramallah, and venues taking on social responsibilities in Beirut. It is a professional discussion with Ukrainian participation, rather than a concert or a dedicated Ukrainian-language gathering.

Friday 23 October 2026, 13:00–13:45, Felix Meritis, Teekenzaal 2, Keizersgracht 324, 1016 EZ Amsterdam. Admission requires an ADE Pro Pass; the organiser says there are no standalone conference or day tickets. The current pass page lists €725 plus a fee, whose formatting is ambiguous; confirm the final amount at checkout. Collect your personal badge and wristband before the session and bring identification. On Friday the Felix Meritis collection desk opens at 09:00; this is not the session’s doors time. Session language and a separate doors time are not explicitly confirmed.

https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/program/2026/funding-under-fire-how-scenes-survive-when-systems-fail/2824045/

https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/tickets/

Image: archive ADE venue photograph, not this 2026 panel; source filename credits Kapaphotography.

https://cdn.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/images/images/transforms/_1000x455_crop_center-center_none/Kapaphotography_ADE_Felix-34-2_2025-10-01-135621_rfrt.jpg