SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur

What SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur does

SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur is a Dutch non-profit cultural education coordination organization headquartered at the Energiehuis in Dordrecht, Netherlands, operating under the parent foundation Stichting Cultuureducatie (SCe). It functions as a flexible intermediary connecting primary schools (PO), secondary schools (VO), vocational schools (MBO), six municipalities (Alblasserdam, Dordrecht, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Papendrecht, Ridderkerk, and Zwijndrecht), and approximately 70 cultural partners across the Zuid-Holland-Zuid region. The organization is staffed by approximately 32 employees including culture coordinators assigned per municipality, and reaches around 7,500 primary school students annually in Dordrecht alone through the Cultuurpaspoort program.

The organization's core product portfolio comprises the Cultuurmenu system (with municipality-specific versions for Dordrecht, Papendrecht, Zwijndrecht, and an emerging version for Hardinxveld-Giessendam), the Cultuurkiezer searchable catalog for VO/MBO, the Cultuurpaspoort student cultural passport, plus event-based programs including Cultuursafari, ArtTechTour, KIEM, Cultuurdagen, Makersroutes, and Blikopeners. Digital infrastructure includes the Cultuurmenu websites, Cultuurkiezer catalog, Microsoft Forms for program registration, and LessonUp channels for teacher preparation. SOC also delivers four branded training curricula (ICC Internal Cultural Coordinator, Verwondercoach, Theatertopper, Kunstkenner), with ICC certificates issued under LKCA national authority. A new digital platform for VO/MBO cultuureducatie was launched in November 2025.

SOC's revenue model combines municipal service contracts and government subsidies (Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit / CMK, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Kunstgebouw) with nominal per-pupil fees (€5 for Cultuurmenu Dordrecht, €11 for Cultuursafari, €10-€11 for ArtTechTour 2025) and €550 ICC training fees for non-subsidized municipalities. Programs are typically free or low-cost for schools in subsidized municipalities and priced higher for schools outside the partner region. The go-to-market is consultative and partnership-based, with culture coordinators assigned per municipality, working through municipal contracts, subsidy programs, and a network of specialist arts teachers (vakdocenten) and cultural partners.

Name

SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur

Legal name

SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur

Website

https://soc.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SOC is a Dutch non-profit cultural education coordination organization based in Dordrecht, connecting schools, six municipalities, and approximately 70 cultural partners across the Zuid-Holland-Zuid region through subsidized programs, digital platforms, and certified training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dordrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Subsidized Cultural Education Programs: SOC delivers government-funded cultural education programs (Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit / CmK) commissioned by municipalities. These programs are largely subsidized, with municipalities covering costs for schools in their regions. Schools pay nominal per-pupil fees (€5 for Cultuurmenu Dordrecht). SOC also receives funding from Kunstgebouw and Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie for specific programs.
2. Per-Participant School Fees: Schools pay per-pupil fees for certain programs such as Cultuurmenu Dordrecht (€5 per pupil), Cultuursafari Dordrecht (€11–12.50 per pupil), and ArtTechTour (€10–11 per pupil). MBO Cultuurdagen are priced per student. ICC training courses charge €550 per participant for schools outside the subsidized municipalities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur is a non-profit cultural education organization that coordinates and delivers cultural participation programs connecting schools, municipalities, and approximately 70 cultural partners across the Zuid-Holland-Zuid region of the Netherlands. The organization offers program suites for primary, secondary, and vocational schools (Cultuurmenu, Cultuursafari, ArtTechTour, KIEM, Cultuurdagen, Makersroutes, Blikopeners), professional training courses for teachers and internal culture coordinators (ICC, Verwondercoach, Kunstkenner, Theatertopper), and community cultural events for neighborhoods and healthcare settings. Programs are largely subsidized through government cultural education funds (CMK) with nominal per-pupil fees for participating schools.

Product overview

SOC provides a comprehensive digital platform for cultural education and participation centered at the Energiehuis in Dordrecht. The core offerings include the Cultuurmenu system (with versions for Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht, and Hardinxveld-Giessendam) providing cultural activities for primary schools; the Cultuurkiezer search platform for secondary education; the Cultuurpaspoort (cultural passport) for student documentation; and event-based programs including Cultuursafari, ArtTechTour, KIEM, Cultuurdagen, Makersroutes, and Blikopeners. The organization also offers professional training courses including ICC (Internal Cultural Coordinator) training, Verwondercoach, Theatertopper, and Kunstkenner. Community events include Krispijn Festijn, Festival der Verwondering, and Lichtjesfestival Energieplein. SOC works with approximately 70 cultural partners across the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cultuurmenu Dordrecht A cultural menu program for primary schools in Dordrecht offering art and cultural activities across multiple disciplines (music, dance, media, theater, literature, heritage, art & technology) with 20 cultural partners, including visits to cultural organizations and workshops at school. Priced at €5 per pupil.
• Cultuurmenu Zwijndrecht Cultural menu for primary schools in Zwijndrecht providing access to cultural activities and workshops, coordinated by SOC under municipal CmK subsidy.
• Cultuurmenu Hardinxveld-Giessendam Cultural menu being developed for primary schools in Hardinxveld-Giessendam under the CmK4 subsidy program, with the full menu expected by 2028. The pilot phase reached 70 of 80 school groups and approximately 1,750 students.
• Cultuurkiezer Searchable database of art and cultural activities for secondary education (VO) and secondary vocational education (MBO) where teachers can filter by level, grade, and discipline to find suitable cultural activities for their students.
• Cultuurpaspoort Cultural passport given to primary school students in Dordrecht, serving as a personal collection of experiences, memories, and discoveries. Students receive stamps at each cultural activity, with the passport growing alongside their experiences. Reaches approximately 7,500 students annually.
• Cultuursafari Annual cultural exploration event for secondary school students (VO) where they visit seven cultural organizations in Dordrecht by bike over five days, discovering arts and culture through active participation. Priced at €11–12.50 per pupil.
• ArtTechTour Multidisciplinary education festival at the intersection of art, technology, and digital literacy for MBO and VO students. Features interactive Technolabs focused on topics like artificial intelligence, algorithms, and data power with workshops and film programs. Priced at €10–11 per student.
• KIEM (Kunst In Experiment en Maken) Art project for primary school groups 3-4 centered on fantasy, discovery, and reuse, where students think and work like real artists under the guidance of professional artists.
• Cultuurdagen Cultural days held at the Energiehuis where MBO and VO students participate in workshops across disciplines including Performing Arts, Crafts, and Art & Technology, with options for half-day or full-day programs.
• Makersroutes Programs where students visit three different makers in fields such as crafts, performing arts, design, media, or technology, learning about the craft, skills, and daily work of real makers with hands-on workshops.
• Blikopeners Programs specifically for MBO students combining personal development, citizenship, socio-cultural themes, and art and culture through inspiring visits, creative workshops, and field encounters.
• ICC Training (Interne Cultuurcoördinator) Three-day course to become an Internal Cultural Coordinator, providing tools to professionalize cultural education at schools, culminating in a four-year cultural plan and a certificate from LKCA. Free for schools in subsidized municipalities; €550 per participant for schools from other municipalities.
• Training Verwondercoach Training for pedagogical staff and coaches to become Wonder Coaches, teaching about the importance of wonder and curiosity in stimulating children's development through cultural experiences.
• Training Kunstkenner Follow-up training to Verwondercoach for pedagogical professionals, providing practical inspiration and workable tools to shape art activities, moving from wonder to discovery to creation through playful and inspiring visual techniques.
• Theatertopper Follow-up training to Verwondercoach for theater activities, discovering how fun and accessible theater can be without requiring prior theater experience.
• New Digital Platform for Cultuureducatie A new digital platform for cultural education launched in November 2025, providing a complete overview of art and cultural activities for secondary education (VO) and secondary vocational education (MBO) teachers. The platform offers cultural days, maker routes, educational events, and Blikopeners programs for students to discover talents through music, visual arts, theater, dance, language, and media.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 of 80 school groups (~1,750 students) participated in the Hardinxveld-Giessendam Cultuurmenu pilot
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dordrechts MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDordrechts Museum is a key cultural partner in the SOC network, participating in Cultuursafari, Cultuurmenu, and other programs. The museum offers educational visits and workshops for primary and secondary school students.
• Schouwburg KunstmincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchouwburg Kunstmin (Kunstmin) is a key partner offering theater performances and cultural events for schools, participating in Cultuursafari and Cultuurmenu programs.
• Filmtheater De WittcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilmtheater De Witt is a cultural partner offering film education programs and the Eindfilm groep 8 program as part of the Cultuurmenu. The venue hosts student film premieres.
• Bibliotheek AanZetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBibliotheek AanZet (public library) participates in Cultuursafari, Cultuurmenu, and community programs including PBS training for wijkcoördinatoren and Strijk & Swing cello activities.
• Nationaal OnderwijsmuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Onderwijsmuseum is a key partner in Cultuursafari and the Cultuurmenu, offering heritage and educational programs for students.
• Hof van NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHof van Nederland is a cultural heritage partner offering programs on Dutch history and citizenship for schools as part of the Cultuurmenu.
• ToBe CultuurcentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToBe is a cultural center partner participating in community programs, Cultuurdagen, and neighborhood festivals. SOC coordinates PBS training with ToBe's wijkcoördinatoren.
• The MoviesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Movies (cinema) participates as a cultural partner in SOC's network of cultural organizations for schools.
• Nestas ScholengroepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNestas Scholengroep is a school network partner, participating in the development of the Cultuurpaspoort and various school-based cultural programs.
• BibelotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBibelot is a cultural partner (music venue) in Dordrecht, participating in SOC's cultural education network.
• Joy2DancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoy2Dance is a dance school partner offering dance workshops integrated into Cultuurmenu programs (Danskriebels, Taaldans), and participates in programs linking dance with language and citizenship education.
• LeXlabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeXlab is a technology education partner offering programs on digital literacy, AI, and creative technology (e.g., Stip de robot, De taal van tech), participating in Cultuurmenu and ArtTechTour.
• KITEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKITE is a co-organizer of the ArtTechTour festival together with SOC, delivering technology-arts education programs at the intersection of art and digital technology.
• InScience FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInScience Festival partners with SOC to provide the film program component of ArtTechTour, offering science films, animations, and documentaries for students.
• Gemeente DordrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Dordrecht is a key municipal partner that commissions SOC to execute cultural education policy, co-funds programs including Cultuursafari, and enables the use of venues like Weizigt and Energiehuis.
• KunstgebouwcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKunstgebouw is a provincial cultural organization supporting SOC's work, particularly in the development of the Hardinxveld-Giessendam Cultuurmenu and CmK program implementation.
• Fonds voor CultuurparticipatiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFonds voor Cultuurparticipatie is a national fund that supports SOC's cultural participation initiatives, including the CmK (Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit) programs and local cultural menu development.
• LKCA (Landelijk Kenniscentrum voor Cultuur en Amateurkunst)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLKCA provides national knowledge leadership on cultural education and issues certificates for SOC's ICC (Internal Culture Coordinator) training program upon completion.
• Salios (Parkhuis and Dijckhuis)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalios Parkhuis and Dijckhuis are care homes in Dordrecht that host the 'Jong ontmoet oud' inter-generational project where MBO healthcare students engage residents through photography and spoken word.
• DConnectedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDConnected is a dance company partner that delivers dance performances and workshops for schools in Zwijndrecht and Ridderkerk, including KIEM programs and school enrichment activities.
• Poppentheater Jacobus WiemanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoppentheater Jacobus Wieman is a puppet theater partner offering performances for primary school students, participating in programs like 'Spot aan! Zwijndrecht' and bonus activities.
• Facet RidderkerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacet Ridderkerk is a cultural education hub coordinating cultural activities and partners in Ridderkerk, collaborating with SOC on Cultuurmenu and school-based programs.
• Theater TortillaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater Tortilla offers theater workshops and performances for VO/MBO students, including a presentation on boundary-crossing behavior ('Je wilde toch?'), available through the Cultuurkiezer.
• Huis van GijncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuis van Gijn is a heritage partner offering programs including 'Tijddetectives' (escape room-style history activity), 'Anna ruimt op', and heritage workshops for primary school students.
• QuardinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuardin collaborates with SOC on the 'Van Talent naar Toekomst' network meeting and Community Coaches program, providing youth participation expertise.
• Chicks And The CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicks And The City participates in SOC's network events, offering a Media Experience Workshop for the 'Van Talent naar Toekomst' professional development day.
• De MerwelandenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Merwelanden is a care home that hosts the Festival der Verwondering in its garden, a community event organized in collaboration with SOC, Gemeente Dordrecht, Weizigt, and Het Staartje.
• Stichting Cultuureducatie (SCe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOC is a division of Stichting Cultuureducatie (SCe), the parent foundation that governs SOC's operations and provides institutional support including HR, complaints procedures, and vacancy management.
• Gemeente ZwijndrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Zwijndrecht commissions SOC to implement CmK (Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit) and operates the Zwijndrecht Cultuurmenu, with SOC coordinating cultural activities for local schools.
• Gemeente PapendrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Papendrecht partners with SOC for cultural education, including the Papendrecht Cultuurmenu, Cultural Proeverij events, and joint projects with local schools.
• Gemeente RidderkerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Ridderkerk works with SOC to deliver cultural education programs including KIEM, Cultuursafari Ridderkerk, and school-based cultural activities.
• Gemeente AlblasserdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Alblasserdam partners with SOC for cultural education programs, with SOC coordinating cultural activities for local schools as part of the network.
• Gemeente Hardinxveld-GiessendamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Hardinxveld-Giessendam commissioned SOC to develop the first Cultuurmenu for the municipality, supported by Kunstgebouw and CmK4 subsidy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kunstgebouw: Provincial cultural-education support organization for South Holland, providing advice, training, and program coordination to schools, municipalities, and cultural institutions. Already operates as a key partner and funder of SOC's Hardinxveld-Giessendam Cultuurmenu; directly comparable mission and beneficiary set.
• SKVR (Stichting Kunstzinnige Vorming Rotterdam): Rotterdam-based cultural-education organization delivering subsidised arts and culture programs to schools, community groups, and individuals in the Rijnmond region. Operates with a structurally similar model: municipal subsidy backbone, school-facing programs, network of cultural partners, and training for internal culture coordinators. SOC and SKVR are the two most-comparable regional cultural-education intermediaries in South Holland.
• Stichting DOK: Delft-area cultural-education organization delivering school-based cultural programs, training, and community cultural initiatives in the Delft region. Closely comparable in scope (primary/secondary education, municipal contracting, network of cultural partners) and in structural reliance on CMK funding.
• Stichting Flater: Regional cultural-education provider in Twente (Hengelo area) offering school programs, music and arts education, and community cultural projects. Operates a similar subsidy-and-partner model targeting primary schools and municipalities; comparable in size and organisational structure to SOC.

Others

• Stichting Cultuurconnectie: National association connecting libraries, cultural organizations, and local government to strengthen cultural participation. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — operates as a network/advocacy body that overlaps thematically with SOC's regional cultural-coordination role.
• Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie: National Dutch government fund that administers subsidies including the CMK program on which SOC depends. Functions as a funder rather than a peer, but is the upstream capital source whose policy decisions directly determine SOC's addressable subsidy pool.
• Bibliotheek AanZet: Public library network in the Zuid-Holland-Zuid / Dordrecht region, listed as a core cultural partner of SOC. Operates as an adjacent public-sector cultural institution participating in Cultuurmenu and community programming rather than as a direct competitor, but represents a comparable municipal-funded cultural-services actor in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• LKCA (Landelijk Kenniscentrum voor Cultuur en Amateurkunst): National knowledge center for culture and amateur art in the Netherlands, providing policy advice, research, and certification for cultural-education programs (including ICC training certification for SOC). Operates at a national scale rather than a regional delivery focus, but is the umbrella authority whose framework SOC's programs align to.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SamenOntwikkelendoorCultuur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soc-nl
• Instagraminstagram.com/soc.nl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SOC | Samen Ontwikkelen door Cultuur