MOMO Young Talents Club

With the MOMO Young Talents Club (YTC), Motel Mozaïque creates a breeding ground for young talents to develop further.

Started in 2019, the Young Talents Club is an annual program in which young talents aged between 18-28 years fully participate in our team, regardless of education, background, or CV; we focus solely on motivation. For each of the selected talents, we determine the most fitting path within the organisation and identify the appropriate department, setting specific goals and objectives for their time in the YTC. We have regular check-in time for coaching and mentoring, and we also organise masterclasses given by industry experts from our network, with topics chosen by the talents themselves. In return, the talents share their vision and expertise with our team, and get the chance to pursue their tasks and responsibilities with a high degree of (creative) freedom, resulting in fresh ideas and methods that benefit the organisation.

The Young Talent Club was created because we realised that the music- and festival-industry provides few opportunities for young professionals to gain valuable work experience on the organisational side – especially if you don’t have the right educational background. With the YTC, we aim to bridge this gap by providing a platform that serves as a springboard to other roles with our partners and within our own team, fostering a continuous flow of young people from diverse backgrounds to develop professionally within the industry. The YTC is our way of investing in the next generation of cultural professionals while staying connected to our city and audience.

After completing the YTC program, we stay in active contact with our former Young Talents and leverage our network to help them secure projects or positions. Within our team, former Young Talents now hold positions such as Head of Program and Open Call Curator, along with various freelance roles that bolster the team during festival organization. In our wider network, former Young Talents have sprung to positions at AIR Rotterdam, EKKO, Paard and Roffa Mon Amour, among others. Read testimonials from previous Young Talents at the bottom of this page!

Does this sound like the perfect opportunity to hone your skills as a cultural professional and gain hands-on experience in festival organization? The applications for the YTC 2025 will open around the end of September. In the meantime, please keep an eye on our socials for upcoming possibilities!

About MOMO

Motel Mozaique is a foundation, working on three projects year round. Our MOMO Festival, MOMO Concerts and MOMO Create. You will mainly focus on MOMO Festival. This festival is a driver and connector for innovation in music and art, and for a hospitable city. As a mosaic, MOMO brings together the best possible mix of (inter) national pop music, performance and art for you. With the city of Rotterdam as a stage. Urban development and social themes as a source of inspiration. A sharp, international programming as a driving force. Let yourself be tempted for a weekend along undiscovered places, music, art and stories. Expect the unexpected.

Testimonials

ALICIA

YTC23

Being a part of the YTC at MOMO was a great experience. It was fun, exciting and I learned a lot. I was warmly welcomed into the team as an individual with responsibilities while getting all the support and guidance I needed. The YTC is such a great way to step into the cultural sector and be a part of making something very special. I am proud to have been a part of the MOMO22 team and look forward to what the future holds!

TOM

YTC23

Despite not having completed any degree, I had the unique opportunity to gain experience in the festival world as a Young Talent at MOMO. From day one I felt part of the team and I was able to participate in several cool projects: from the production of the MOMO Art Motel to the program of the night events. It was educational, challenging and most importantly a lot of fun! After my time as a Young Talent, I have grown within the team and I am currently focusing on making the events that MOMO organises more sustainable and inclusive.

EZGI

YTC23

My time as an all-round young talent at MOMO was an incredible journey that went beyond a mere professional exploration. It was an opportunity to, not only gain valuable experience in the festival industry, but also to be a part of a community whose values resonate with my personal values. The warm embrace of the festival community made me feel truly welcomed and appreciated as a newcomer in Rotterdam. During my time at MOMO, I had the chance to immerse myself in various departments and contribute to MOMO Festival while growing as a cultural professional. I felt encouraged to share my ideas and watch them blossom into reality. Being part of the Young Talents Club at MOMO became a precious chapter in my life that I will always cherish!

MICHELLE

YTC23

It was an amazing opportunity to watch-and work in a department you don’t easily enter without experience. Through YTC, I was able to expand my network and learn a lot through my colleagues, the work itself and the master classes. I was treated as an equal, which allowed me to perform my tasks with a lot of self-confidence and I felt free to suggest ideas.
In addition, the team is very nice to work with. It was a breath of fresh air to have Margriet as a business leader (I didn’t know the workplace could be so healthy), Enoma involved me a lot, the YTC team was very supportive of each other and I always felt welcome and equal with the rest of the team as well.

SEN

YTC24

After multiple years of volunteering at MOMO I knew I wanted to do more for the festival and being a part of the YTC was the perfect opportunity. I helped out with the program (mainly for Playground) and with production. My time at MOMO gave me great insights into the workings of a festival of this kind. I’m inspired by the organization’s positivity and open mindset, as well as the trust they placed in me and the other Young Talents to do our thing. Working there, I felt like my opinions and thoughts were taken seriously, even though I’d just started there. All in all, it was a great experience that taught me a lot, not just about MOMO but about the industry as a whole.

CEDRIC

YTC24

For me, the YTC was the perfect introduction to working in the cultural industry. You are welcomed into the MOMO family and encouraged to tackle your tasks in your own way, while the team provides the necessary guidance when needed. This approach teaches you to handle your responsibilities independently and allows you to bring your own ideas to the table — at MOMO HQ, every question or opinion is valued. You’ll work with a team full of passionate people, enjoy top-tier lunchtime banter, and by the end of the YTC, you’ll be shedding proud tears while enjoying some sick performance, knowing you helped make it all happen. Seriously, I cannot recommend it enough!

CASEY

YTC24

Being a part of MOMO was truly a blessing! I have never experienced a team that is so understanding and adaptable. I initially started with programming and then supported the guided tours at the festival, creating memories I will cherish for life. I deeply appreciate the space the team provides to learn and grow.