Independent Creative Initiatives

The hague

WHO WE ARE

We represent a broad group of The Hague based independent artist initiatives and cultural incubators.

WHAT WE WANT

We strive for a stronger visibility for and cooperation between independent cultural initiatives. We aim to build a strong support base that fosters independent, community based art and culture in The Hague.

WHAT WE DO

We provide peer support, and representation to artistic practices and community based initiatives that generate public value, but which are not always easy to monetise. We foster creative processes usually hidden to the public. We try out, explore, doubt, research, exchange, tinker, fail, experiment.

WHAT WE OFFER

We share our expertise and network with all who want to communicate and collaborate with artist initiatives and cultural incubators in and from The Hague. We offer a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange and access to the rich and diverse independent art scene of The Hague.

Manifesto

Independent creative initiatives make an important contribution to the fabric of the city.

Often used as a means to improve neighborhoods, the value of these initiatives has proved to have outgrown the status of temporality and has shown to have greater value than being a means to something else. The field has matured into a presence essential to the city, therefore it should have a recognized position in the ecosystem of The Hague. At this moment, the independent creative field is insufficiently linked to other players in the ecosystem. A better connection with this ecosystem and a more solid position in it is desirable. As an essential component of the ecosystem we should stand strong, have a voice and be (re)present(ed). 

To be better able to connect and take position, we unite.

GOALS

Visibility

COOPERATION & COLLABORATION

Support base

INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY

SHARE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE AND NETWORK

ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN  DISCUSSIONS AND DECISION MAKING

PROVIDE PEER SUPPORT

CREATE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE EXISTENCE

ADVOCATE VALUE AND INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS

Publish and maintain a (digital) map and cultural agenda with all initiatives, cultural incubators and independent presentation places in the city

Establish a point of contact to access the independent art scene in The Hague

Involve arts professionals in developing new policies and new projects from the very beginning as equal partners

Establish a municipal service (loket) to help community organizers start and develop creative incubators. (a public repository of information needed for managing real estate properties, workshops where cultural incubators and other players can share knowledge)

Equal opportunities for artists and community organisers regardless of age, race and ethnicity

Establish a “cultural incubator agent” to promote connection between cultural incubators and other players within and outside the cultural sector in The Hague (i.e. museums, schools, real estate developers, businesses)

Offer contractual security to renters and support renters rights. Promote sustainable and healthy environment for the arts by connecting artist-run initiatives to property owners (without mediation of anti-squat agencies)

Create an overview of best practices for organising cultural incubators

Stimulate active engagement within and between creative communities; encourage members of artist initiatives to make valuable  non-financial contributions to the community 

Initiatives

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... ism project space

...ism is a project space for artists with ideas for future work. It offers it’s space to artists who are interested in establishing site-specific projects. The project space is located in a former billiard shop and combines a 19th centrury shop space with a 17th centrury living space, a cellar from 1600 and two inner courts. The intention of ...ism project space is to redefine ‘exhibiting’ as a practice, both for the artist, the hosts and the audience.

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Æther Haga

Æther Haga is a sibling of Æther Sofia that speaks a language vibrating and resonating in the morphic field, that in its virtue can make land appear closer than its actual physical properties.

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ANNASTATE

ANNASTATE considers itself a platform and a “state”: a state of co-being, a state of being together; a place where anything can happen and evolve. It is the aim of ANNASTATE to be pragmatic, adaptable, inclusive and diverse.

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DCR

DCR is a cultural hotspot in the Hague located in the former 1930s offices of the Electriciteitsfabriek, directly next to the (still!) working Uniper power plant, a landmark in The Hague with the factory chimneys and monumental architecture by urban architect Schadee, recognisable from afar.
Unique about our incubator is the combination of four cultural stages with numerous studios for independent creators and a café - Zaal 3, Studio LOOS, Nest and Cloud.

Helicopter

Helicopter

Helicopter is an artist’s initiative founded in 2016 and located in a former school building in Moerwijk, The Hague. Helicopter comprises artists and musicians with the desire to strengthen their ability to ‘zoom out’ and to obtain a ‘Helicopter view’; a wider vision on the world, to include, embrace and exchange new thoughts and ideas.

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iii

iii is an artist run, community platform supporting new interdisciplinary practices linking performance, technology and the human senses.

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Quartair

Quartair is an artist-run initiative operating as a platform for presentation, exchange and artistic debate. Quartair initiates and supports exhibitions, art projects and exchanges with other artists or artist-run-spaces at home and abroad. Based in the former bread factory, Haagsche Broodfabriek, Quartair is one of the longest running artist-run-spaces in The Hague.

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SW2

SW2 is an artist-run organisation based at Willem Dreespark, providing studios and incidental project space for a diversity of contemporary practices.

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SEELAB

See Lab is a new cultural incubator located in an old school building at The Hague beach, The Netherlands. It emerged from a shared dream to establish a long term working community where professional artist and culture creators with a DIY mentality work both independently and together on art and culture.

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The Grey Space in the Middle

The Grey Space in the Middle (or, The Grey Space) is a space for fundamental creativity where art, digital culture, science, technology, and philosophy merge. It is a project and presentation space, music and performance venue and cafe.

Photo Marta Capilla

TRIXIE

Trixie is an artist-run space located in the Stationsbuurt, neighbouring the red light district of The Hague. Led by a diverse group of young artists, Trixie is an initiative that encourages artistic production through collaboration and exchange.

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WEST

West shows contemporary art in the former American embassy (designed by Marcel Breuer) in the heart of The Hague museum district. West, as an art institute, focuses on the most relevant international developments in the field of the visual arts. West offers artists space and opportunities to develop new work in a social context by situating it in a wider dialogue.