Stichting Overijsselacademie

What Stichting Overijsselacademie does

Stichting Overijsselacademie is a Dutch foundation (stichting) operating as the designated provincial knowledge center for regional history, Nedersaksische (Low Saxon) language and culture, and intangible heritage in the province of Overijssel. Founded in 1977 as the IJsselacademie and rebranded in 2022 after separating from Collectie Overijssel, the organization operates under three pillars: Publieksgeschiedenis (public history), Nedersaksische taal en cultuur (Low Saxon language and culture), and Erfgoedplatform Overijssel (the heritage platform it coordinates). It maintains a network of approximately 9,500 heritage volunteers and 250+ heritage organizations across the province, contributing over 17,000 volunteer hours weekly to heritage preservation.

The organization's portfolio is built around a multimedia production model comprising podcasts (De Nedersaksen, Waterwolf, Zoek de zon op), a TV series with regional broadcaster RTV Oost (Wij zijn Nedersaksen), a semi-annual magazine (Nedersaksen), traveling exhibitions (Watersnoodlab, Trechterbekercultuur), participative art projects (Draden van het Overijsselse slavernijverleden), a weekly radio quiz (Wet ie dat?), books, and educational packages. Underlying technology includes a digital heritage platform (Erfgoedplatform Overijssel) supporting small heritage institutions with news, advice, and training, plus digital distribution infrastructure for podcasts, magazine webshop, and the deNedersaksen.nl audience platform.

The business model combines a primary multi-year provincial subsidy from Provincie Overijssel with diversified revenue streams: a four-tier membership program (Vriend €50, Kameroad €250, Kameroad+ €1,250, Maecenas €5,000 annually), magazine subscriptions at €12.50/year, commissioned research and advisory services for municipalities and cultural organizations, project-based contracts, and grants from cultural funds such as Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging the RTV Oost media partnership for top-of-funnel reach, public events and lectures for mid-funnel engagement, and the Erfgoedplatform volunteer network for bottom-of-funnel community activation. Customer segments span the general public across the 2.5 million-resident Nedersaksische region, the heritage volunteer sector, local and provincial government, education, and regional businesses.

Name

Stichting Overijsselacademie

Legal name

Stichting Overijsselacademie

Website

https://overijsselacademie.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Overijsselacademie is a Dutch provincial knowledge foundation producing multimedia content — podcasts, TV, magazines, traveling exhibitions, and educational programs — on Overijssel's regional history, Nedersaksische language, and intangible heritage, serving the public, 9,500+ heritage volunteers, and government partners across the Nedersaksische region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (712120)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAA

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAHAF

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYTHAJADAI

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

Keywords

• Regional history research
• Cultural heritage services
• Language preservation
• Heritage education programs
• Public history projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Zwolle

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Provincial Subsidy / Government Funding: Primary revenue stream from provincial government subsidy. The organization operates as a publicly funded cultural knowledge institution with multi-year subsidy arrangements.
2. Membership Programs (Kameroadschap): Annual membership tiers (Vriend at €50/yr, Kameroad at €250/yr, Kameroad+ at €1,250/yr, Maecenas at €5,000/yr) providing magazines, event invitations, and visibility benefits.
3. Magazine Subscriptions: The Nedersaksen magazine is sold for €12.50 per year (spring and autumn issues), distributed via webshop to subscribers and as a gift item.
4. Project-Based Contracts: Commissioned research, advisory services, and project delivery for municipalities, the provincial government, and cultural organizations. Activities include heritage research, cultural education programs, and event organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Stichting Overijsselacademie is a provincial knowledge center and production house for the regional history, Low Saxon (Nedersaksische) language, and cultural heritage of Overijssel. It conducts research, provides advisory services, and creates multimedia content including podcasts, TV series, magazines, books, and traveling exhibitions. The organization also coordinates Erfgoedplatform Overijssel, a digital platform that supports approximately 9,500 heritage volunteers across 250+ small heritage institutions in the province.

Product overview

Overijsselacademie is a provincial knowledge center and production house focused on regional history, Low Saxon (Nedersaksische) language and culture, and immovable heritage in Overijssel. The organization operates under three pillars: Publieksgeschiedenis (Public History), Nedersaksische taal en cultuur (Low Saxon language and culture), and Erfgoedplatform Overijssel (Heritage Platform Overijssel). The portfolio consists of multimedia products including the Nedersaksen Magazine (semi-annual publication), De Nedersaksen Podcast (with live theater tours), the TV series 'Wij zijn Nedersaksen', radio quiz 'Wet ie dat?', and the Waterwolf Podcast. The organization produces traveling exhibitions such as Watersnoodlab and the Trechterbekercultuur Tentoonstelling, and runs participative art projects like 'Draden van het Overijsselse Slavernijverleden'. Supporting services include research and advisory, educational courses and workshops, and heritage education programs. The Erfgoedplatform Overijssel coordinates support for small heritage institutions and volunteers across the province.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nedersaksen Magazine A semi-annual publication highlighting the unique identity of the Overijssel region with focus on history, Low Saxon language and culture, and heritage. Sold via webshop for EUR 12.50 per year covering two issues.
• De Nedersaksen Podcast Long-running podcast series hosted by Hendrik Jan Bökkers and Albert Bartelds exploring the identity, history and culture of the Low Saxon region, with regional stories and guest features.
• Wij zijn Nedersaksen (TV Series) Television series on RTV Oost where presenters search for Low Saxon culture in Overijssel, featuring local families, traditions, and regional identity.
• Erfgoedplatform Overijssel Digital heritage platform coordinated by Overijsselacademie that supports approximately 9,500 heritage volunteers and 250+ small heritage institutions across the province with news, advice, and training programs.
• Watersnoodlab Traveling mobile experience exhibition about water safety that tells the story of the 1825 flood disaster and connects it to contemporary water management challenges.
• Draden van het Overijsselse Slavernijverleden Participative art project creating a 35-meter tapestry that visualizes the stories of Overijssel's slavery past, produced in collaboration with volunteers across multiple cities.
• Quiz 'Wet ie dat?' Weekly radio quiz on Radio Oost where Monique Sleiderink tests listeners' knowledge of Overijssel's history, culture, language, and heritage.
• Waar onze taal wegkomt (Book) Book by Harrie Scholtmeijer about the history of Overijssel dialects, exploring how the regional language developed and its variations across different areas.
• Noaberschap - De geschiedenis van gemeenschapszin (Book) Book offering a renewed perspective on the centuries-old social practice of 'noaberschap' (neighborliness/community spirit) in eastern Netherlands.
• De Nedersaksen Live (Theater Tour) Theater tour featuring Albert Bartelds and Hendrik Jan Bökkers bringing their popular De Nedersaksen podcast to live stages.
• Trechterbekercultuur Tentoonstelling Traveling archaeological exhibition about the Funnelbeaker culture (3400-2800 BC) produced by Overijsselacademie, visiting multiple locations in Netherlands and Germany.
• Overijssel Overzee Lespakket Educational package about Overijssel's colonial connections and slavery history, winner of the Comenius-EduMedia-Award 2023.
• Waterwolf Podcast Podcast by historians Martin van der Linde and Marieke van Zanten exploring the forgotten 1825 flood disaster in Overijssel.
• Onderzoek en Advies (Research and Advisory) Research and advisory services on Overijssel history, language, and culture, delivered for governments, municipalities, and cultural institutions in collaboration with universities.
• Cursussen en Workshops (Courses and Workshops) Educational courses and workshops for heritage and cultural professional development, including the Nedersaksen College lecture series.
• Erfgoededucatie (Heritage Education) Heritage education programs and activities supporting knowledge transfer about regional cultural heritage to schools and the broader community.
• Breed Erfgoedfestival Annual heritage festival organized by Overijsselacademie bringing together heritage initiatives and the public across the province.
• Kameroadschap Membership Program Tiered annual membership program offering magazine subscriptions, event invitations, visibility in publications, and partner networking for individuals and companies supporting the organization.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9,500 heritage volunteers supported across Overijssel, contributing more than 17,000 hours per week
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Provincie OverijsselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funder and strategic partner of Overijsselacademie. Provides multi-year provincial subsidy supporting the organization's mandate as a knowledge center for regional history, language, and cultural heritage in Overijssel.
• Gemeente DalfsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in cultural heritage projects. Hosted the traveling Trechterbekercultuur exhibition at De Trefkoele in Dalfsen (January 2025).
• Gemeente DeventerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner; hosted the Deventer closure event of the 'Draden van het Overijsselse slavernijverleden' participatory art project at Bibliotheek Centrum.
• Gemeente KampenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for cultural heritage initiatives and host of Stormvloed 1825 commemoration events.
• Gemeente OmmenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner hosting lectures and events. Venue De Kern in Ommen used for Nedersaksische language lectures.
• Gemeente RaalteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in cultural heritage initiatives.
• Gemeente StaphorstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner. Museum Staphorst hosted a Nedersaksische language lecture in collaboration with Overijsselacademie.
• Gemeente SteenwijkerlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in cultural heritage initiatives.
• Gemeente Olst-WijheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in cultural heritage initiatives.
• Gemeente ZwartewaterlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in cultural heritage initiatives.
• Gemeente ZwolleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipal partner; host of the opening event for 'Draden van het Overijsselse slavernijverleden' project and multiple heritage events. Mayor Peter Snijders participated in project inauguration.
• RTV OostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional broadcaster and key media partner for 'Wij zijn Nedersaksen' TV series, 'Wet ie dat?' radio quiz, and co-production of podcast content. Together they strengthen regional awareness and identity.
• Collectie OverijsselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer parent organization (formerly Historisch Centrum Overijssel). Overijsselacademie split from Collectie Overijssel in 2022 and continues as a separate organization. Both organizations collaborate on heritage projects.
• Het OverstichtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for spatial quality and heritage projects. Collaborated on the Stormvloed 1825 project (Watersnoodlab) and cultural heritage initiatives.
• Waterschap Drents Overijsselse DeltacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater board partner in the Stormvloed 1825 project, contributing to flood safety awareness and the restoration of gemaal A.F. Stroink.
• Kenniscentrum voor Immaterieel Erfgoed NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational knowledge center for intangible cultural heritage. Overijsselacademie aligns its Nedersaksische language and culture initiatives with national immaterial heritage frameworks.
• Landschap OverijsselminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature conservation organization partnering on projects that connect landscape, heritage, and regional identity.
• VORGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional heritage network organization collaborating with Overijsselacademie on heritage initiatives.
• SONTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cultural organization contributing to the network of cultural partners in Overijssel.
• Streekbelangen KampereilandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal interest organization for Kampereiland, partnering on regional heritage projects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Het Oversticht: Provincial organization for spatial quality and heritage in Overijssel and adjacent provinces. It is a named core partner of Overijsselacademie on the Stormvloed 1825 / Watersnoodlab project and shares the regional heritage coordination role.
• Landschap Overijssel: Nature and landscape heritage nonprofit working province-wide in Overijssel. Both organizations are provincial heritage-adjacent nonprofits funded in part by the Province, partnering on projects that connect landscape, heritage and regional identity.
• Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg: Regional historical center operating archives, exhibitions and educational programming for a Dutch province - structurally analogous to Collectie Overijssel (former parent of Overijsselacademie) and a useful peer for cooperative or consolidation benchmarking.
• Collectie Overijssel: Former parent organization of Overijsselacademie (formerly Historisch Centrum Overijssel), split off in 2022 to continue heritage work in the province. Both organizations share a mandate to preserve and present Overijssel's regional history and remain core partners post-separation.

Others

• RTV Oost: Regional broadcaster and core media partner of Overijsselacademie, jointly producing the 'Wij zijn Nedersaksen' TV series, 'Wet ie dat?' radio quiz and podcasts. While not a competitor, the partnership defines the foundation's primary top-of-funnel distribution channel.

Regional players

• Het Utrechts Archief: Regional archive and heritage institution serving the Province of Utrecht. Comparable in scope, mandate and provincial funding model to Overijsselacademie and its Erfgoedplatform Overijssel for archival and public history work.
• Fries Museum: Regional museum and heritage institution in Friesland, another Low Saxon-speaking Dutch province. Operates as a comparable regional heritage body with programming focused on Frisian language, culture, and provincial identity - directly analogous to Overijsselacademie's mandate.
• Erfgoed Gelderland: Provincial heritage support organization in neighboring Gelderland with the same operating model as Erfgoedplatform Overijssel - supporting small heritage institutions and volunteers. Direct comparable for cross-border regional expansion or peer benchmarking.

Broad incumbents

• Meertens Instituut: National Dutch research institute for Dutch language and culture, including dialects. Comparable to Overijsselacademie's Nedersaksische language research pillar, but operating at the national level through the Royal Netherlands Academy.
• Kenniscentrum Immaterieel Erfgoed Nederland: National knowledge center for intangible cultural heritage in the Netherlands and a named core partner of Overijsselacademie. Both operate as knowledge and coordination bodies for intangible heritage, with the national body providing framework alignment Overijsselacademie draws on for provincial programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-overijsselacademie

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Stichting Overijsselacademie