What happens when we deliberately in cities create spaces for encounter and collaboration between artists and cultural makers on the one hand, and entrepreneurs on the other?

They are clearly different worlds, each with its own logic, pace, and language. And yet: it is precisely in these differences that enormous potential lies. For almost two years now, Cult Biz—an initiative of Cultural Centre De Grote Post and the Economic House of Ostend—has been bringing these worlds together through meetings, inspiration sessions, and boost sessions. Always with the same goal: to find synergy, uncover shared challenges, and make new collaborations possible.

With the recent launch of the Cult Biz Lab, a next and courageous step was taken. No longer just inspiring and exploring, but truly working together. Getting to know each other’s worlds. Better understanding each other’s perspective on the same place—Ostend—and its societal challenges. This is no easy exercise. Stepping beyond one’s own artistic or entrepreneurial boundaries takes time, trust, and above all: literally stepping into each other’s shoes. In search of a new “we.”

Cult Biz Lab is Wetopia in its purest form. It is about creating new alliances between culture and entrepreneurship, starting from the strength of place. Ostend as a lever. Inspiration and dialogue as a starting point, but always with the ambition to move into action.

And that action is happening. Three promising pilot projects are currently in development. They address urgent societal issues such as social cohesion, preventing early school leaving, and vacancy in retail spaces. Each one is an example of how culture and entrepreneurship can strengthen one another—and how together they can contribute to wellbeing.

photos ©TijsSoete