Friends of HEK

Join Friends of HEK — a digital membership for anyone who wants to take part and help shape what happens. With three pricing tiers, multiple ways to get involved, and a space for dialogue, ideas, and community projects:

A digital and participatory membership model with a range of benefits across different price levels. If you'd like to support Friends of HEK and help sustain community-driven projects, you can join as an The Ultimate Friend. Every contribution helps keep Friends of HEK running — and growing.

As a Friends of HEK member, you’ll benefit from a variety of offerings. Here are some of the highlights:

• Community-curated exhibitions: The browser-based exhibition space virtual.hek.ch, built on common.garden by media and conceptual artist Constant Dullaart, is curated and activated by the community twice a year — in February–March and August–September.
• Submit and vote on project proposals: Members can propose independent projects and take part in the collective decision-making process. Selected ideas can receive funding from the Friends of HEK treasury.
• Workshops and exchange formats: The structure also serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and interdisciplinary exchange. Exclusive workshops and learning opportunities are offered regularly to the community.
• Free admission to HEK exhibitions and events: All Friends of HEK members receive free entry to exhibitions and public programs at HEK in Basel.
• Annual hybrid community gathering: Once a year, Friends of HEK hosts a hybrid summer gathering — an in-person event with the HEK team and community, with online participation available for members based elsewhere.

Friends of HEK – A Digital Structure for Shared Participation

What happens when an institution invites its community to engage beyond traditional boundaries?
Since 2023, Friends of HEK has been an evolving membership model that invites participation through conversation, shared decision-making, and the contribution of different perspectives. While its main focus is online, the structure remains open to other forms of exchange and interaction.

The initiative offers a space for collective learning, collaboration, and new ways of working together. At its core is the question of what a friends’ network can be in the context of digital culture today, and how roles within institutions might be shared, rethought, or reshaped.

Friends of HEK was originally launched as a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), with a token-based membership built on blockchain technology. The aim was to explore how digital tools could support collective decision-making within an institutional context.

As the blockchain environment became increasingly unstable — with market volatility and unclear legal frameworks — access to the project became more complicated. In response, we chose to step away from the token-based model.

Today, Friends of HEK continues as a digital, accessible membership that stays committed to shared responsibility and participation. While we draw inspiration from the DAO model, we’ve taken a few creative detours — shaped by the needs of the community and a desire for openness. You might say we’ve become something slightly different: a DOW – a Decentralized Organization Worldwide. Still experimental, still collaborative, but more flexible and not tied to a specific technology.

Open to All – How Membership Works

Joining Friends of HEK is simple: membership is available through an annual subscription. Once registered, members receive access to a private Discord server — the main space for communication, discussion, and shared activities.

No technical expertise is required. Whether you’re curious to observe or ready to contribute actively, both approaches are welcome. To make participation as accessible as possible, we offer three pricing tiers.

You’ll find more information and technical details in the Friends of HEK Handbook.
And if you have questions, feel free to reach out at friends@hek.ch

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join Friends of HEK?

After purchasing a one-year membership, you'll receive an invitation link to our private Discord server by email. This is where all community communication and coordination takes place.

What does membership offer?

As a member, you gain access to a collaborative space for discussion, co-creation, and experimentation. This includes community-curated exhibitions, open project proposals with shared voting, exclusive workshops and formats, and free admission to all exhibitions and events at HEK. An annual hybrid community gathering is also part of the program.

How does Discord work?

Discord is a platform for communication and community organization. You can chat by text or voice, take part in events, and access resources. New to Discord? Here’s the Beginner’s Guide to Discord (official link).

Where do activities take place?

Most activity takes place on the Discord server. If anything is hosted on-site or externally, we’ll notify you in advance by email and on the server.

Why is the membership no longer token-based?

Friends of HEK began as a blockchain-based project. However, due to the volatility of the crypto market, accessibility barriers, and legal uncertainties, we decided to decouple the membership from the blockchain. The commitment to shared participation remains central.

How long is the membership valid?

Membership is valid for one calendar year from the date of purchase.

What does it cost?

There are three standard membership tiers: Cute Friend (50.- CHF), Iconic Friend (100.- CHF) and Mega Friend (600.- CHF). If you’d like to contribute more, you can join as an Ultimate Friend (starting at 650 CHF), with the option to be listed as a supporter or remain anonymous.

What is a DAO?

DAO stands for Decentralized Autonomous Organization — a form of collective governance originally built on blockchain technology. DAOs are designed to enable group decision-making through transparent, verifiable processes. While Friends of HEK is no longer blockchain-based, the spirit of shared responsibility continues to guide the project.

Is there onboarding or help for new members?

Yes. If you’d like help getting started or understanding how things work, we offer free onboarding sessions. Just send us an email at friends[at]hek.ch.