Impact & Projects

The Challenge

At a time when cultural organizations across the Netherlands faced mounting challenges—funding cuts, political pressure, and global instability—there was an urgent need for a unified response that could strengthen international cultural cooperation.

The Approach

• •Initiated strategic conversations with three peer institutions (Cultural Emergency Response, Dutch Culture, and European Cultural Foundation) to explore shared infrastructure
• •Transformed what began as a simple office-sharing concept into a collective vision for a public space dedicated to international cultural collaboration
• •Negotiated partnership agreements that preserved each organization's independence while creating a powerful shared platform
• •Secured location at Nieuwe Herengracht 14 within Amsterdam's H'ART Museum complex, positioning the initiative at the heart of the city's cultural district

The Impact

• •Established DOMO as the Netherlands' first dedicated home for international cultural collaboration, officially launching in April 2025
• •Created a public space, platform for ideas, and catalyst for collaboration serving cultural actors worldwide
• •Cemented Prince Claus Fund's presence in Amsterdam through strategic partnership that amplifies the Fund's global reach
• •Built foundation for year-round programming that facilitates dialogue and sparks collaborative action across borders

The Challenge

The Prince Claus Fund faced significant budget reductions during a period of economic uncertainty, threatening the organization's ability to support artists and cultural practitioners in the Global South—the core of its mission.

The Approach

• •Conducted comprehensive program review to identify highest-impact initiatives and eliminate redundancies
• •Prioritized funding streams that directly benefited Global South practitioners while maintaining quality over quantity
• •Created new partnership models with Netherlands-based institutions that generated reciprocal value: Dutch organizations gained access to international networks while Global South practitioners gained visibility and exchange opportunities
• •Restructured operations to reduce administrative overhead without compromising program delivery or staff capacity

The Impact

• •Maintained commitment to Global South practitioners despite 25% budget reduction, ensuring no decrease in grant amounts to individual artists
• •Established sustainable exchange programs connecting Netherlands cultural sector with international practitioners, creating new funding pathways
• •Strengthened organizational resilience through diversified revenue streams and strategic partnerships
• •Demonstrated that trust-based funding principles can guide difficult decisions: transparent communication with stakeholders built confidence rather than eroding it

The Challenge

South African arts practitioners faced a cycle of grant dependency that limited long-term sustainability. Traditional funding models provided short-term relief but failed to build the skills, networks, and business acumen needed for independent success.

The Approach

• •Redesigned Trust's entire program strategy to prioritize capacity building over transactional grant-making
• •Created integrated programs combining skills development workshops (business planning, marketing, financial management) with competitive grant opportunities
• •Structured programs so that training came first, with grants awarded at completion—ensuring all participants gained valuable skills regardless of funding outcomes
• •Developed mentorship scholarship program pairing emerging artists with industry experts for intensive 4-month residencies, culminating in public presentations

The Impact

• •Shifted organizational culture from "funder" to "partner," with 78% of program participants reporting increased confidence in managing their artistic practice as a sustainable enterprise
• •Mentorship program participants achieved 65% success rate in securing additional funding or commissions within 12 months, demonstrating program's effectiveness in building market-ready skills
• •Created model adopted by peer organizations across South Africa, influencing sector-wide shift toward capacity-building approaches
• •Even unsuccessful scholarship applicants benefited: post-program surveys showed 82% leveraged skills and mentor connections to advance their careers