We work to achieve equitable cities, neighbourhoods and districts
Together with artists, designers, residents, the public, government bodies and entrepreneurs, the Ruimtekoers platform uses the public space in our districts, neighbourhoods and cities to explore new ideas and directions for a more equitable society by means of socially engaged art projects. Ruimtekoers does this from within the heart of society. Where people live, do their shopping, and go to school.
Opportunities for art and culture
This is important, because a withdrawing national government means that responsibility passes to the cities, villages and districts. Both policymakers and local residents are now expected to respond to social issues and solve problems. The problem is that local authorities, civil servants, residents, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders often do not know how to tackle the challenges collectively. And it is precisely here that Ruimtekoers sees opportunities for the art and cultural sector and socially engaged artists to work with the public, residents and policymakers to achieve change.
Would you like to find out more about our vision?
We are Bureau Ruimtekoers
Together with the following professionals, we work to achieve sustainable support in our cities, districts, and neighbourhoods.
Renée Janssen
Pim Gerritsen
Sanne Karssenberg
Yosser Dekker
Lisette Wiegers
Margot Wolters
Sari Bouwmeester
Floortje Dekkers
Robin Atema
Jorine Roelofs
Would you also like to make the world a better place?
Our programmes and projects
We develop projects and programmes within four social themes: the energy transition, climate and biodiversity, segregation and (in)equality of opportunity and inclusive urban development. Our projects and programmes have an impact in both the living environment and the cultural sector.
Commissions
On behalf of government bodies, cultural institutions, and housing associations, we work with local residents and artists on participatory communication and co-creation. We organise participation in culture and heritage. We give advice on the right approach to participation in the living environment while simultaneously inspiring others with our insights.
Our own initiatives
We initiate projects and collaborations within three programme lines. In the Stadsmakers (City Artists) programme, we adopt a long-term approach to issues through art forms, in the Public programme we present the results in a cultural way and in The Academy we reflect on our approach by means of lectures and publications.
Would you like to find out more about our projects?
We work with artists
We believe in the power of the imagination that artists bring to social issues. We challenge our artists to work in a participative context and guide them as they create and present tangible visions of the future among and with residents and policymakers. Are you a artist and would like to collaborate? We’d love that! Do you have a great idea and/or do you see opportunities? Feel free to contact us!
“Together with Ruimtekoers, we examine themes that are close to my heart. These include the gentrification of neighbourhoods and the networks that local residents still manage to form and maintain despite all the changes. It feels good to be able to work on these themes as a unified team!”
Richard Kofi
Would you like to join us?
Support Ruimtekoers in its social mission
From the streets, schools, and community centres, we are building a movement that genuinely works to create a fair and equitable society. We can’t do it alone. We need your help. Become a friend of Ruimtekoers for just 100 euros per year, tax-free.
Support Ruimtekoers by becoming a friend!
These partners are supporting Bureau Ruimtekoers in 2022
Together, we are working to create liveable cities, districts and neighbourhoods and a new perspective for artists.
Discover all our partners
Empowerment via art and design
By means of participatory design and community art, we ensure that stakeholders have the means to be able to participate over the long term and are motivated to want to participate over the long term. In this way, we empower those involved to keep participating independently in both the living environment and the cultural sector. How do we know? We measure our impact. Below, we explain this in more detail.
Our impact in the living environment
We use art to achieve participation in the living environment and reach target groups that are not usually reached by government programmes. We motivate policymakers to take the voice of these target groups seriously and ensure the long-term involvement of everyone in the project and the next steps.
Our impact in the cultural sector
We create art projects in and with the living environment, reaching target groups that are not usually reached by cultural institutions or artist. We strengthen the position of artists by giving them the opportunity to work directly with these target groups. In this way, we make art and culture accessible and part of everyday life on a wide scale. And the more art there is in everyday life, the more resilient the sector becomes.
Keen to know more about how we make an impact?
About Ruimtekoers & Stichting Halfvol
Bureau Ruimtekoers is a brand of the Halfvol foundation. From 2017 onwards, the foundation chose to work on a single major activity each year which best conveyed the objectives of the foundation: the Ruimtekoers Festival. The Ruimtekoers Festival was an umbrella for various projects that all satisfied the objectives. The festival consisted of a collection of long-term projects, averaging five months, which were presented in the same weekend.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the decision was made to say goodbye to the festival as an overarching concept but to continue to organise the projects. A new concept was developed for this: Bureau Ruimtekoers. Bureau Ruimtekoers is a platform for community art and participatory design in the living environment. Bureau Ruimtekoers involves residents and policymakers in social challenges through art and cultural activities. The projects take place all year round. The foundation has the status of a cultural ANBI (public benefit organisation).
