Dutch Graffiti Library

What Dutch Graffiti Library does

Dutch Graffiti Library (Stichting Dutch Graffiti Library) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established on 16 January 2018 in Haarlem and now operating from Amsterdam. It maintains what it describes as the most comprehensive archive on graffiti culture in the Netherlands, containing over 1,000 documented items — photographs, original sketches, blackbooks, screen prints, books, zines, posters, and post-graffiti expressions — accumulated over more than 35 years by its founders and spanning the Amsterdam–Paris–New York triangle of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Day-to-day operations are managed by a Director and a Curator, governed by a three-person board.

The foundation monetizes its archive lightly through self-published books and merchandise sold via an online shop (shop.dutch-graffiti-library.nl), ticket/foot-traffic-driven exhibitions, and participation in international book fairs. The bulk of operating capacity is funded through cultural grants (notably the Mondriaan Fund) and institutional collaborations rather than commercial revenue. Distribution channels include a WordPress-based website with a stories blog, an e-commerce storefront, physical exhibitions (previously at Centrale Markthal Amsterdam; from 2026 at STRAAT Museum under a three-year collaboration), and educational programs delivered with Inholland University and OBA Next Lab Sluisbuurt via The Europe Challenge.

Customer segments are horizontally diversified across museum professionals, academic researchers, educational institutions, the active graffiti community, and the general public. The organization has no technology platform, no API, and no AI/ML capabilities; its competitive position rests entirely on the depth, authenticity, and community-validated uniqueness of its physical archive. As of late 2025 the foundation vacated its fixed Amsterdam venue and announced a strategic shift toward embedding its collection inside partner institutions and initiatives rather than operating a standalone museum space.

Name

Dutch Graffiti Library

Legal name

Dutch Graffiti Library

Website

https://dutch-graffiti-library.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dutch Graffiti Library is a Dutch non-profit foundation that preserves and exhibits a 35-year archive of Dutch graffiti culture for museums, researchers, educational institutions, and the general public through publications, exhibitions, and partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Publishing: Self-published books and articles documenting graffiti culture, including titles like 'Disz. The first Dutch writer bombing the New York City subway', 'Urban Heritage' series, and exhibition catalogs sold through their online shop.
2. Exhibitions: Physical exhibitions at their space and partner museums (STRAAT Museum), making portions of the collection available for public viewing.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dutch Graffiti Library operates a comprehensive physical and digital archive documenting the history of Dutch graffiti culture through photographs, original sketches, screen prints, blackbooks, books, zines, and post-graffiti expressions spanning the Amsterdam-Paris-New York triangle from the 1970s-90s. The foundation delivers knowledge-sharing services, self-publishes books and catalogs, and produces physical exhibitions and short documentary films to make the collection accessible to museum professionals, researchers, educational institutions, and the broader public.

Product overview

Dutch Graffiti Library is a contemporary library and knowledge platform dedicated to documenting and preserving graffiti culture in the Netherlands. The organization operates a comprehensive physical and digital archive containing photographs, objects, original sketches, paintings, screen prints, blackbooks, and post-graffiti expressions, with a core collection spanning the triangle of Amsterdam – Paris – New York from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. The portfolio consists of the core Collection (the main archive), Self-Published Books and Catalogs documenting graffiti history, Short Movies/Documentaries featuring cultural content, Exhibitions including the permanent ESSENCE display at STRAAT Museum, Knowledge Platform Services for research and education access, and Archival Consultation for cultural institutions. The organization functions as a foundation making its collection accessible to education professionals, museums, researchers, and the graffiti community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dutch Graffiti Library Collection A comprehensive physical and digital archive documenting the history of Dutch graffiti culture through photographs, objects, original sketches, paintings, screen prints, blackbooks, and post-graffiti expressions. Made accessible to museum professionals, researchers, and educational institutions.
• Self-Published Books and Catalogs Published works sold through the online shop, including the Disz book, The Dutch Adventures of Keith Haring, Urban Heritage series, and exhibition catalogs documenting Dutch graffiti history.
• Short Movies and Documentaries Online video content including documentaries about graffiti culture, exhibition setup films, conference recordings, and historical footage presentations.
• Exhibitions Physical and traveling exhibitions showcasing graffiti culture, including the ESSENCE exhibition at STRAAT Museum and various pop-up exhibitions featuring objects and stories from the collection.
• Knowledge Platform Services Services making the collection accessible to museum professionals, researchers, and educational institutions through co-creation, shared ownership, and new presentation methods.
• Archival Consultation Knowledge sharing, advice, and collaboration with cultural institutions including City Archives Amsterdam for preservation of underrepresented urban culture archives.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• STRAAT MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Three-year collaboration to make graffiti visible as culture and heritage. A portion of the Dutch Graffiti Library collection will be permanently on display. STRAAT provides international museum context while Dutch Graffiti Library contributes over 35 years of archive, research, and collection. Joint exhibition 'the ESSENCE' opening April 10, 2026.
• The Europe Challenge (European Cultural Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Annual program bringing together teams from libraries and communities across Europe to develop creative solutions for urgent social, digital, and climate challenges. Dutch Graffiti Library is participating together with Inholland and OBA Next Lab Sluisbuurt.
• InhollandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences collaborating with Dutch Graffiti Library in The Europe Challenge program. Students have participated in On Tour project presenting final outcomes.
• OBA Next Lab SluisbuurtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmsterdam public library innovation lab partnering with Dutch Graffiti Library in The Europe Challenge program.
• Culture CapsulecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collective of hip-hop hubs, urban houses, researchers, and creators building shared memory of hip-hop culture in the Netherlands. Dutch Graffiti Library plays a role as a hub exploring documentation center development.
• City Archives AmsterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City Archives Amsterdam is seeking archives representing underrepresented groups and subcultures. Dutch Graffiti Library has deposited its archive on the Kempering parking garage in Amsterdam Zuidoost. Discussions ongoing about follow-up projects.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rijksmuseum: The Netherlands' national museum of art and history. Comparable as a major Dutch cultural institution preserving heritage, but with a much broader scope that encompasses Dutch Graffiti Library's graffiti focus as a small segment of a larger portfolio.
• OBA (Amsterdam Public Library): Amsterdam's public library system, partnering with Dutch Graffiti Library through OBA Next Lab Sluisbuurt on The Europe Challenge. Comparable as a Dutch knowledge platform providing public access to cultural content, though at a far larger scale.
• Eye Filmmuseum: Amsterdam museum dedicated to film and visual culture, including documentary preservation. Comparable as a Dutch cultural heritage institution with archival and exhibition functions, though focused on film rather than graffiti.

Direct peers

• Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art: Berlin-based museum dedicated to urban contemporary art and street art. Comparable as a cultural institution preserving and exhibiting graffiti/street art heritage with international programming and educational outreach.
• Museum of Graffiti: Miami-based museum focused on graffiti history and culture, with exhibitions and educational programming. Directly comparable as a dedicated graffiti heritage institution with museum operations and curated exhibitions.
• City Archives Amsterdam (Stadsarchief Amsterdam): Municipal archive that has already accepted a deposit from Dutch Graffiti Library on the Kempering parking garage project. Comparable as a Dutch cultural heritage archive collecting and providing access to historical documentation.
• STRAAT Museum: Amsterdam-based street art and graffiti museum that is Dutch Graffiti Library's primary institutional partner. STRAAT operates a permanent exhibition venue and collaborates with DGL on a three-year program, making it the most directly comparable institution in the Dutch graffiti ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Musée du Graffiti / Art 42 (Paris): Paris-based street art museum in a former parking garage with strong ties to the Paris graffiti scene. Comparable as a graffiti-focused cultural institution, and relevant given the Amsterdam-Paris-New York triangle in DGL's collection.
• Culture Capsule: Dutch collective of hip-hop hubs, urban houses, and researchers building shared memory of hip-hop culture in the Netherlands. Dutch Graffiti Library participates as a hub exploring documentation center development; comparable as a Dutch urban-heritage network partner.
• House of Denim: Amsterdam-based heritage initiative that previously collaborated with Dutch Graffiti Library on the Graffiti Heritage & Denim of Tomorrow project. Comparable as a Dutch cultural heritage organization focused on urban/subculture themes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dutchgraffitilibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/dutch_graffiti_library
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dutch-graffiti-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Dutch Graffiti Library