About us

At Cultuur Concreet, we believe that great culture starts in your own neighborhood - #cultuurdichtbij. That's why we're all about bringing art and creativity to every corner of Rotterdam. With cultural community connectors (cultuurregisseurs) spread across the city, we help people turn both big dreams and everyday ideas into reality. For almost 25 years, we've been the only independent organization in Rotterdam dedicated to sparking local culture.

Mission

Our mission is to connect every Rotterdam resident with culture right at home—culture that fits their world and needs. We believe that art brings people and neighborhoods together, helping tackle issues like safety, loneliness, and equal opportunities. Everybody deserves access to this cultural life.

Vision
At Cultuur Concreet, we work from the heart of local communities. Residents and local creatives know best what’s happening in their own area and what’s needed. We partner as equals to bring both big and small cultural ideas to life. In doing so, we bridge the gap between the everyday lives of Rotterdam’s residents and the more formal systems of local government and institutions.

What we do

In the neighborhood

We work right in the communities, creating cultural experiences that truly resonate.

To the neighborhood

We invest in local areas, driving sustainable change from the ground up.

About the neighborhood

We collect and share insights about our communities to strengthen local cultural expertise.

With & for whom

Cultuur Concreet is here for all Rotterdam residents. Through our core activities, we focus on the following target groups:

  • Residents / Cultural initiators
  • Organizations and institutions, both inside and outside the cultural sector
  • Decision-makers and policymakers, inside and outside the cultural domain

We collaborate with hundreds of different Rotterdammers in the neighborhoods. We call them local cultural initiators—ranging from established anchors to hidden gems—newcomers full of potential who need space to experiment and grow. In practice, this diverse group includes everyone from active residents to creative makers, all united by one thing: a strong drive to make a difference in their local community. These initiators may not always be well-organized, institutionalized, or unified, but they are uniquely positioned to reach Rotterdam residents for whom participation in traditional cultural offerings may not be a given. 

Meet the team