Instagram alternative for artists: echobeach

Sep 14, 26

the editors

Under the name echobeach Work is underway to create a big-tech-free alternative to social media for artists. A group of artists has been working on this since 2025 with the goal of no longer depending on big-tech companies such as Meta to share images (photos of their work). Everything published on this new platform remains the property of the users, who will also no longer have to deal with clickbait, advertising, or manipulation via algorithms and AI.

Everything published on this new platform remains the property of the users

Any professional artist with ties to the Netherlands can create an account. The new platform is similar to Instagram, and you can import your Instagram archive.

In July 2026, echobeach About 250 accounts, of which roughly 100 are active each month—a modest start. But an online community only really comes to life when 250 accounts are active each month. The platform is therefore still in the experimental phase and is currently looking for enthusiastic participants.

During the Groot Rotterdams Atelier Weekend (GRAW) on September 19 and 20, everyone can learn about echobeach and ask questions about it.

Saturday, September 19, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: C3, Huismanstraat 30, Rotterdam-Charlois

The event will cover the role of artists on the free internet, the history of the internet and the role of hackers in it, the political reality in Europe regarding big tech, and the big question: what exactly is the Fediverse? There will be an update on Pixelfed, the program that echobeach works with, and there will be plenty of time and space for questions, exchanging ideas, and chatting over drinks at the bar.

Speakers: Liesbeth Bik (visual artist and chair of echobeach), Ron van den Ende (visual artist and founder of echobeach), Koen de Jonge (hacker, open-source activist, and director of ProcoliX Hosting), Kim van Sparretak (Member of the European Parliament for Pro, “against nasty tech bros”).

The platform can be found at echobeach.nl

More information about the background of the project can be found at echobeach.org

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