S2:E8 Creating unique spaces for culture in Copenhagen – Jesper Koefoed-Melson in conversation with Adrian

The Three Bells

Summary:

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesper Koefoed-Melson, Founding Director of Kulturdistriktet, about activating unique spaces in Copenhagen with cultural events and festivals, fostering a vibrant community and enriching the city’s cultural landscape.

Jesper discusses Kulturdistriktet unique framework, placing emphasis on the importance of trusting the artists and creating an open platform to all participants, as opposed more traditional approaches to developing cultural events. He also talks about the birth of Kulturdistriktet, and how he capitalized on the abundant down-time resulting from the pandemic to research different models for cultural districts. Adrian and Jesper also touch on the political support Kulturdistriktet has received from the city of Copenhagen, its relationship with tourism, how the organization aims to address the climate crisis, and its future goals with incorporating technology into its events.

References:

Kulturdistriktet is an association of visionary urban developers, artists, cultural institutions, and companies that have joined forces in creating an engaging framework for culture, cooperation, and innovation throughout the Østerbro and Nordhavn neighborhoods in Copenhagen, Denmark.

GivRum facilitates user-driven urban development with local communities as point of departure.

Vida Local is a team of advisers and project managers who work for the creation of strong communities, attractive areas, and innovative partnerships.

The Tunnel Factory is a Copenhagen-based cultural hot spot with an international outlook. It originated as the birthplace of the tunnel elements connecting Copenhagen and Malmø

Åben Festival is a collaboration between audience, artists, cultural creators, institutions, and companies.

GCDN’s Publications – which Jesper cites as primary inspiration for building the framework of Kulturdistriktet

The Haves and the Have-Yachts, referenced by Adrian Ellis, is a New Yorker article written by Evan Osnos and published on July 18, 2022.

Bio:

Jesper is the Founding Director of Kulturdistriktet, an association of visionary urban developers, artists, cultural institutions and companies that have joined forces in creating an engaging framework for culture, cooperation and innovation throughout Østerbro and Nordhavn in Copenhagen. Jesper is also a partner in the urban development organization GivRum and has years of experience in developing innovative cities and organizations based on human resources. With the help of broad commitment and ownership, he has set the course for locally rooted solutions that have contributed to lifting policies and implementing strategies within, for example, settlement, citizen involvement and business and cultural development. Jesper establishes sustainable organizations that continue the solutions he has helped to launch. He has a master's degree in pedagogy and performance design from RUC and has since supplemented his master's degree with a diploma in art and cultural management from the Center for Performing Arts Development. Alongside his studies, Jesper started his first company, but since 2010 it has been about GivRum.