Alderman Eva Oosters (Art & Culture): With these plans, we ensure that culture is truly for everyone. Whether its young people who get a stage, children discovering their creativity at school, or neighborhood residents creating art together – we make culture more accessible for all Utrechters. This program offers more opportunities to discover, learn, and create, building a creative and inclusive city together.
The Creative Capacity Utrecht cultural education program is receiving renewed national funding, allowing schools and cultural institutions to collaborate on inspiring and accessible cultural education. Currently, 40% of Utrecht schools are partnered with a cultural institution. Special attention is given to schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods and vocational education to make culture accessible to all children.
Cultural Coaches in Neighborhoods
To lower the threshold to culture, six cultural coaches will start working in various Utrecht neighborhoods in 2025 and 2026. They focus on children and young people for whom culture is not a given. The first group of cultural coaches is already active in Leidsche Rijn, Vleuten-De Meern, West, Overvecht, and Hoograven.
Impulse for Youth Culture
With additional national funds, the Youth Culture Impulse started in 2024. This program encourages active cultural participation among young people aged 14 to 27. In the first subsidy round, projects such as a 16+ club night by De Helling, the Springboard Program by Vechtclub XL, the Hip Hop Mindstate learning pathway by Stichting VUUUR, and the YARA project by the Netherlands Chamber Choir were honored. These initiatives offer young people the chance to develop their talents and find their place in the Utrecht cultural sector.
Youth Culture Houses: Creative Spaces for and by Young People
Utrecht invests in accessible youth culture houses where young people can discover and develop their creative talents. Three initiatives are starting in Leidsche Rijn, Vleuten, and De Meern: BOKS, Cultuur19, and De Vrijstaat. They offer space for theater, music, dance, and visual arts. The Spring Memorandum 2024 decided to realize one instead of two youth culture houses in Vleuten-De Meern. The organization without a physical location still receives a subsidy to organize programs for young people elsewhere.
More Cultural Activities in the City
To support cultural initiatives in the city, 125 foundations and associations receive basic subsidies for activities and renting rehearsal spaces. Amateur art education also receives extra support. Theater School Utrecht, Muziqu, Music for Every Child, Art Center De Nieuwe Vaart, Art Castle Zuilen, Conductors Workshop Utrecht, Dance Center Utrecht, DCII1 High (Dance Studio 42), and Vocal Arts Academy receive subsidies under the Specific Regulation Amateur Art Education 2025-2028.
More information about the plans and initiatives can be found in the documents of the Cultural Participation Implementation Program 2024-2028.