The Dynamics of Underground Culture in Warsaw

This thesis examines the organizational structure, economic practice, legitimation strategy, and spatial challenge and tactics that underground art collectives in Warsaw adopt. It conducts semi-structured interviews with lead members across various cultural initiatives and demonstrates an in-depth thematic analysis. Research confirms that Warsaw's underground has horizontal governance, volunteer-based participation, mixed economic practices, and that it creatively occupies peripheral urban space. Interviewed collectives generate substantial cultural value based on grassroots movements, radical inclusivity, and artistic innovation despite limited institutional support. Their legitimacy is based on the care for excluded communities and the production of real cultural spaces rather than searching for popularity. The thesis also examines how collectives negotiate a highly hostile urban development context that includes ever-rising rents and overall spatial uncertainty. The results show that despite Warsaw's underground culture being burdened with systemic challenges, it is still possible to persist with authentic cultural production and community work. The study contributes to the existing literature on cultural entrepreneurship, subcultural capital, and urban grassroots innovation because it offers details regarding the adaptability and resilience of informal cultural actors in post-socialist cities.