GETZ
The vision: a large professional cultural centre in Amsterdam Zuidoost with a theatre-hall, music venue and exhibition space
An inspiring ambition, especially at a time when theatres and podia for professional performing artists barely were willing to open up for new perspectives, approaches or cultures. The contrast between the multicultural and pioneering ZO! Cultuur and Marjo van Schaik’s old employer, the National Opera and Ballet, where she was director theatre organisation, could not have been greater.
From 2006 until 2010 Marjo was as director responsible for both the programming, which functioned as placemaking avant la lettre in different places in Zuidoost, and the development of the new building, including funding. Except for ZO! Cultuur, Imagine IC and Cosmic would be part of the new creative cluster as well. During the financial crisis commercial partners pulled out, resulting in the annulment of the entire new complex. Subsequently Mare was interim director of Imagine IC for some time. This project induced Mare to do her research project Spaces of Culture.
ZO! Cultuur Zuidoost was established in 2004 with glowing ideals and an exciting mission. A new theatre-complex would build, modelled after the arts centres in the US, with the intention of making local residents feel at home and recognised in the space. Preparatory policy papers spoke of “a cultural epicentre, the example of which will transcend national borders” and “a community centre on a global level”. It was supposed to be about “more than just a stage”, “mutual cross pollination” was supposed to occur through community outreach programmes and “entry points”. The essential factor was “ownership”. Connected to the publications from that time the central idea was that culture functions as a motor for economic development. This involved the development of a public-private collaboration.
Meer informatie? Neem contact op met mare@marjovanschaik.nl