The Cultural Fund Limburg awards the Inspiration Prize of €15,000 to FLUJAS Collective from Venlo. This artist-run collective is dedicated to professional creators in North Limburg and promotes collaboration, autonomy, and depth within the cultural field. The jury praises FLUJAS for their open, connecting approach and their efforts to unite and strengthen professional creators without isolating themselves. Through initiatives such as creative cafés, master programs, and their own music and art festival The Floor is Lava, they create new opportunities and actively contribute to a stronger cultural ecosystem. Their vision and impact on talent development and cultural distribution make them an inspiring example for the region.
Youth Culture Prize
For the second time, the Cultural Fund Limburg also awards the Youth Culture Prize. They want to highlight a group of ambitious young people who are already making their mark. This year, the prize of €2,500 goes to CITY Collective, a group of young creators who transformed the former City Theater in Venlo into a vibrant home base for creative freedom, collaboration, and fair payment. The jury appreciates their efforts to build bridges between young talents and established organizations in Limburg, and their role as an inspiration for other young people. CITY Collective stimulates collaborations throughout Limburg and was the ‘Promise of 25’ in 2025.
Honorable Mentions
Honorable mentions go to Kool Cult and Reanys Martis for their valuable contributions to youth development and strengthening a more inclusive cultural landscape in Limburg. Their work is an inspiring example of how culture can serve as a means for connection, emancipation, and future prospects.
The Jury
The jury consists of Chequita Nahar, chair of the jury and board member of Cultural Fund Limburg, jewelry designer, lecturer, and head of Fine Art and Design at Maastricht Institute of Arts; Paul Moerel,
Board member of Cultural Fund Limburg, director of Pop in Limburg/Kunstbende Limburg; Richard Dols, board member of Cultural Fund Limburg, programmer and manager of Filmhuis Zicht and manager of Poppodium Volt; Merlijn Huntjens, writer and artistic director of PANDA Collective; Woody Richardson Laurens, (Dichterbij maker) former head lecturer at the Maastricht Theatre Academy; and Mariëlle van Eijs, advisor at Cultural Fund Limburg.
About the Cultural Fund
The Cultural Fund invests 50 million euros annually in culture and nature. In more than 4,000 projects and individuals throughout the Netherlands, in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, and in Suriname. This is done with financial contributions from the Friends Lottery and Dutch Lottery, donors, legacies, and together with our partners.
Associations, foundations, cultural institutions, nature organizations, and individual artists can apply for funding for their projects. The Cultural Fund also invests on its own initiative in culture and nature and awards prizes and scholarships. The Cultural Fund Limburg is one of the twelve provincial departments.
