Cultuur19

What Cultuur19 does

Cultuur19 is a Dutch non-profit neighborhood cultural center (wijkcultuurhuis) operating from the CultuurCampus in Vleuten, Utrecht, where it serves the Leidsche Rijn and Vleuten-De Meern districts. Founded in 2004 and resident at the shared CultuurCampus since 2017, the organization runs a portfolio of recurring programs including the Leidsche Rijn Festival (children ages 2\u201312), the Zingende Beelden outdoor dance route at M\u00e1ximapark, the KLUB19 youth community (ages 12\u201323) with the STUDIO19 recording facility and Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn music competition, and the CampusSessies curated performance series. Its most distinctive physical asset is De Zingende Toren, the world's only glass carillon \u2014 a 50-bell instrument spanning four octaves, played weekly by beiaardier Wim Ruitenbeek on the Burchtpoort in Vleuterweide. Cultuur19 operates from a 230-seat theater, dance studio, theater classroom, and music rooms, sharing the building with a secondary school outside school hours and hosting a network of cultural providers that deliver lessons in music, dance, and theater on-site.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid of public subsidy and earned income. The dominant stream is a recurring municipal cultural subsidy from Gemeente Utrecht, supplemented by project grants from Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, ticket sales through the Chipta platform, space rental to cultural providers and third parties, and optional donations. Most programming is free or low-cost (e.g., \u20ac5\u2013\u20ac10 per ticket), reinforcing its public-benefit positioning. Distribution is event-driven and community-anchored: Cultuur19 reaches audiences through neighborhood festivals, direct school partnerships (Leidsche Rijn College, Academie Tien), a website with newsletter (CreateSend), and social channels (Facebook, Instagram). It also participates in the Participatie Federatie, a cooperative of 10 neighborhood theaters across the four major Dutch cities.

As of 2025, Cultuur19 employs 22 staff under ANBI status and is led by directeur-bestuurder Ynama Wigman, who succeeded Kim Harsta on February 1, 2025, after serving as adjunct-directeur and locatieleider of the CultuurCampus. The organization is expanding its reach through the Grote Prijs XL competition (now city-wide with the final at Tivoli Vredenburg), the Podium Takeover youth theater project, and deeper integration with the Participatie Federatie touring network.

Name

Cultuur19

Legal name

Cultuur19

Website

https://cultuur19.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cultuur19 is a Dutch non-profit neighborhood cultural center in Utrecht operating the CultuurCampus, the world's only glass carillon, and youth and community programs serving Leidsche Rijn and Vleuten-De Meern residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Cultural Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Neighborhood cultural center
• Youth arts programs
• Community cultural programming
• Cultural venue rental
• Glass carillon performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Vleuterweide

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal/Government Subsidy: Primary funding comes from the municipality of Utrecht for cultural programming in Leidsche Rijn and Vleuten-De Meern neighborhoods. This is referenced in ANBI status and general organizational structure as a cultural non-profit.
2. Venue and Space Rental: CultuurCampus spaces are rented to cultural providers and third parties for workshops, lessons, rehearsals, and meetings. Spaces include a 230-seat theater, dance studio with mirror wall, theater classroom, and music rooms.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue from paid events and performances. Some events have free admission with optional donations, while others (CampusSessies, theater performances) require ticket purchase.
4. Cultural Grants and Fund Support: Support from Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie (Fund for Cultural Participation) for specific projects like CampusSessies and youth programs like REHEARSAL.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cultuur19 operates a neighborhood cultural center (wijkcultuurhuis) delivering accessible arts programming, festivals, youth talent development programs, and venue rental services to the Leidsche Rijn and Vleuten-De Meern communities in Utrecht. Core offerings include the CultuurCampus arts center (230-seat theater, dance studios, music rooms), signature events such as Leidsche Rijn Festival and Zingende Beelden, youth programs under KLUB19, and venue rental to cultural providers and community groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CultuurCampus: Shared arts center where Cultuur19 is located, housing studios and theater spaces for cultural activities.
• De Zingende Toren
• Zingende Beelden
• KLUB19
• Leidsche Rijn Festival
• CampusSessies
• Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn

Products and services

• CultuurCampus A shared arts center (kunstencentrum) where beginning and professional makers create art together. The facility includes a 230-seat theater, dance studio with mirror wall, theater room, and music rooms, located at Burchtpoort 5 in Vleuterweide.
• KLUB19 Youth community program of Cultuur19 for young people aged 12-23. Coordinates Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn, Podium Takeover, REHEARSAL rehearsal space, Jamsessies, and STUDIO19 recording studio.
• STUDIO19 A D.I.Y. recording studio with professional coaching for young people aged 12-23, located within the CultuurCampus.
• De Zingende Toren The Singing Tower - the only glass carillon in the world, consisting of 50 glass bells with a four-octave range. Weekly performances by beiaardier Wim Ruitenbeek every Wednesday during spring and summer at Burchtpoort in Vleuterweide.
• Leidsche Rijn Festival Annual art festival for children aged 2-12 in Leidsche Rijn, featuring art installations, performances, and creative activities. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 6 September at Castellum Hoge Woerd.
• Zingende Beelden Theatrical walking route along dance performances at art installations in the Máximapark in Leidsche Rijn, featuring beginning and professional dance makers. The 2026 edition attracted approximately 650 visitors.
• Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn Music competition for secondary school students aged 12-19 from Leidsche Rijn, Vleuten-De Meern and surroundings. Features prizes for further talent development including coaching, recording sessions, and photoshoots.
• CampusSessies Series bringing special performances to the neighborhood focusing on societal themes at the intersection of art with care, welfare and accessibility. Features emerging artists and makers from Cultuur19's network or other neighborhood theaters in the Participatie Federatie.
• Podium Takeover Youth project where creative young people aged 12-23 receive keys to Podium Hoge Woerd. Participants work with professional coaches across disciplines (theater, dance, music, design, technique) over eight weekly sessions, culminating in a final show. Participation is free.
• Urban Mix Free activities day for children aged 7-14 featuring sports, games and creative activities at Buurtcentrum De Weide Wereld. Includes football, creative workshops, dance and cooking activities.
• Urban Night Evening program for youth aged 13+ featuring sports, games and creative activities, extending the Urban Mix concept for older teenagers.
• Drum Works Drum workshops for adults at CultuurCampus for participants of all levels, focusing on rhythm, creativity and community. The first drum lesson is free, with subsequent individual sessions or discounted block bookings.
• Space Rental Rental of spaces at CultuurCampus including a 230-seat theater, dance studio with mirror wall, theater room, and music rooms, available for cultural providers, community groups, and individuals for lessons, rehearsals, performances, and meetings.
• Cultural Providers Network Network of cultural providers offering lessons at CultuurCampus including Kunstencentrum De Nieuwe Vaart, Oksana Piano, Pianoles Raoul van Herpen, Otto de Jong/Drum Academy Utrecht, De Saxschool, Harmonieorkest Vleuten, Prestige choir, Vocal Arts Academy, Sesar Toneel, Starlight Boulevard, Dans Atelier 42, Danscentrum Utrecht, and others.

Quantifiable outcome

• Weekly hundreds of beginning makers engage with cultural programming at CultuurCampus
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gemeente Utrecht (Municipality of Utrecht)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Primary funding partner providing municipal cultural subsidies to support Cultuur19 operations and programming in Leidsche Rijn and Vleuten-De Meern neighborhoods. Also conducting feasibility study for youth culture house in Vleuten.
• KLUB19coreOthersYouth community program under Cultuur19 umbrella, providing music, arts, and culture programming for young people aged 12-23. Includes Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn, Podium Takeover, REHEARSAL, and STUDIO19.
• Podium Hoge WoerdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for youth theater project Podium Takeover, where young people take over the venue for a production.
• De VrijstaatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth culture partner involved in Podium Takeover and provides coaching/prizes for Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn winners.
• Theaterschool UtrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Podium Takeover project providing theatrical training for youth participants.
• UC-CrewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreakdance crew partnering with KLUB19 for dance programming and youth projects including Podium Takeover and Urban Mix.
• Drum Works NLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrum workshop organization providing programming for youth and adults at CultuurCampus. Also involved in Urban Mix and Zingende Beelden events.
• DOCK UtrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partnership for Urban Mix youth activities combining sports, culture, and creative programming.
• SportUtrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports organization partnership for Urban Mix youth activities combining sports, culture, and creative programming.
• Stichting JoUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth foundation partnership for Urban Mix activities and broader youth programming in the neighborhood.
• Stichting SUBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partnership for Urban Mix activities in Vleuten-De Meern area.
• Bibliotheek Utrecht (Utrecht Library)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for cultural events including Zingende Beelden program and Keti Koti celebrations at Bibliotheek Vleuterweide.
• Kunstencentrum De Nieuwe VaartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCultural provider offering instrument lessons (individual and group) for all ages at CultuurCampus.
• Dans Atelier 42minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDance school offering ballet and modern dance classes for ages 4 and up at CultuurCampus.
• Harmonieorkest VleutenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWind orchestra with multiple ensembles (age 8+) providing music programming at CultuurCampus.
• Fonds voor CultuurparticipatiecoreOthersFund for Cultural Participation providing financial support for CampusSessies series and youth program REHEARSAL.
• Participatie FederatiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 10 neighborhood theaters from the four major Dutch cities, united in a cooperative. Facilitates funding and audience development for beginning makers, including CampusSessies touring.
• Leidsche Rijn CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary school hosting preliminary rounds of Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn music competition.
• Academie TienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary school hosting preliminary rounds of Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn music competition.
• De WilgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization providing activities for young people (ages 12-17) in a safe environment. Partner in Podium Takeover project.
• Check One TwominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Podium Takeover project.
• Zingende Beelden (Organized by Cultuur19)coreOthersAnnual outdoor dance event organized by Cultuur19 at Máximapark, featuring professional and beginning dancers at art installations.
• Vocal Arts AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides singing lessons and prizes for Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn winners (workshop prizes).
• Studio MoskouminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecording studio providing prize (recording session) for Grote Prijs van Leidsche Rijn winners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tivoli Vredenburg: Major Utrecht music and performing arts venue hosting 2,000+ events annually across multiple halls. Compares as a broad incumbent in the Utrecht cultural landscape — overlapping audience and partner ecosystem, but operating at substantially larger scale and with broader programming remit.
• Stadsschouwburg Utrecht: Main municipal theater of Utrecht presenting drama, dance, and music productions. A broad incumbent that shares Cultuur19's municipal funding relationship and audience pool but serves a much larger, city-wide programming remit at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Podium Mozaïek: Amsterdam community cultural center operating as a neighborhood cultural venue with multi-disciplinary programming, talent development, and educational focus. Directly analogous to Cultuur19's wijkcultuurhuis model in a different geography.
• De Toneelmakerij: Amsterdam-based Dutch youth theater company producing original productions for young audiences with a strong educational mission. Comparable to Cultuur19's KLUB19 and Podium Takeover youth programming in mission and target demographic, though operating as a touring production house rather than a venue.
• Theater Kikker: Independent Utrecht theater presenting contemporary drama, dance, and performance for younger and adult audiences. Comparable to Cultuur19 in scale and programming focus on emerging makers, with similar municipal-subsidy-supported operating model.
• Nieuwe Vorst: Utrecht cultural venue in the Wilhelminapark area operating as a neighborhood cultural center with comparable programming mix (theater, music, dance, festivals). Highly analogous to Cultuur19's wijkcultuurhuis model in scale, mission, and target audience.
• Podium Hoge Woerd: Leidsche Rijn cultural venue partnered with Cultuur19 on the Podium Takeover youth project. Directly comparable as a neighborhood-scale Utrecht venue hosting youth programming, theater, and community cultural events for the same catchment area.
• Theater Walhalla: Rotterdam community arts venue combining theater, music, festivals, and neighborhood programming in Katendrecht. Comparable to Cultuur19 as a wijkcultuurhuis-style operator with mixed programming, cultural diversity focus, and municipal-subsidy-supported model.
• Jeugdtheater Hofplein: Rotterdam-based youth theater company creating original theater productions for children and young people. Comparable to Cultuur19 in youth-focused creative development mission, with overlapping partner schools and subsidized operating model in the Randstad cultural landscape.

Others

• Bibliotheek Utrecht: Utrecht public library system and Cultuur19 co-programming partner on events like Keti Koti and Zingende Beelden. Functions as an adjacent cultural infrastructure provider serving overlapping audiences with complementary (rather than competing) cultural programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vrijwilligersleidscherijnfestival
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cultuur19

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cultuur19