Nachtcultuur Coalitie

Tags:

Year:

Research, Case studies

2025

PARTNERS:

Podiumkunst.net, Boekmanstichting, VibeLab

Alignment with UN SDGs:

Creativity, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
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The Nachtcultuur Coalitie is a joint initiative of Nighttime Foundation, Podiumkunst.net, VibeLab, and the Boekmanstichting, established to strengthen the recognition of night culture as an integral part of Dutch culture. The coalition is working to embed the term “night culture” in national policy, which is currently used only at the municipal level. To achieve this, stakeholders from nightlife, cultural policy, heritage institutions, and funding bodies are convened to explore how night culture can be structurally embedded within cultural policy, archiving practices, and public discourse.

Between 2025 and 2026, the coalition will work towards a joint night culture covenant, a formal agreement that acknowledges nightlife as both cultural heritage and a performing art. This process includes four thematic sessions, each addressing key aspects such as safety and social infrastructure, archiving practices, space and infrastructure, and representation and governance.

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Without formal recognition, night cultural actors struggle to navigate funding requirements and bureaucratic hurdles as institutional expectations are not aligned with the perceived 'informality' of night culture; such a barrier hinders the development of this vital culture. Through this coalition, Podiumkunst.net contributes expertise in heritage and metadata frameworks, Nighttime Foundation and VibeLab connect nightlife, cities, and policy through research and strategy, and the Boekmanstichting provides policy context and links to governmental and funding institutions. Together, they aim to secure the long-term visibility, recognition, and safeguarding of Dutch night culture.

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