A total of 3.5 million euros will be invested in professional organisations from the cultural sector and Enschede’s iconic events programme.
Two independent advisory committees have assessed the applications. Based on these assessments, they have advised the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on the distribution of the subsidy budget. The four-year subsidy will be awarded to seven subsidy applicants, so that they can realize their ambitions, organizations and programming.
Dynamic cultural middle ground
The cultural institutions that receive a program subsidy for the period 2025-2028 are: Theaterschool De Theatermakerij, Vocal ensemble Consensus Vocalis, Creative breeding ground Sickhouse and Tankstation Cultureel Vulpunt. Together, these institutions offer a diverse range of arts and support talent development in Enschede.
De Theatermakerij offers workshops, courses and events in the field of (music) theatre for children and young people. Also by using talent that graduated here. Consensus Vocalis is the professional vocal ensemble of the eastern Netherlands. And focuses on high-quality singing culture, talent development and performances with an eye for local stories. Sickhouse and Tankstation create inclusive, accessible communities as breeding grounds and offer space for meeting, inspiration and creative development.
Iconic events
Three events will receive the status ‘image-defining’: the Maker Festival Twente, the Booster Festival and the GOGBOT Festival. The Maker Festival Twente, organised by Tetem, focuses on technology, innovation and creativity. The festival offers a meeting place for young and old with an emphasis on making things yourself. The Booster Festival is the largest showcase festival in the eastern Netherlands and offers young musicians the opportunity to professionalise and profile themselves within the national music scene. GOGBOT, organised by PLANETART, annually transforms the centre of Enschede into a cyberpunk funfair, with art, performance, live music and creative technology.
City that embraces creativity and innovation
With this investment, Enschede wants to put itself on the map (inter)nationally and make an important contribution to the development of creative talent. Alderman for Culture Jeroen Diepemaat: “With the award of these four-year subsidies, we are investing in the creative future of Enschede. The award is an important milestone, as it is the first time that we have done this since the introduction of our new culture and events policy. Enschede is a city that embraces and actively supports creativity and innovation. I am proud of these first awards and look forward to seeing how these organisations and events will continue to put Enschede on the map.”
Still plenty of subsidy opportunities
The subsidy recipients will be organising a lot of activities throughout Enschede over the next four years. Until 15 August, there is a new opportunity for cultural institutions, creative professionals from the cultural sector and event organisers to apply for subsidy, for smaller four-year subsidies. These applications will also be assessed by independent advisory committees. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen will make a decision on these subsidy schemes towards the end of the year.
