Seven projects funded under the Smart Culture – Art and Culture programme
From building new colours with bacteria to developing learning methods that make hands inquisitive
Seven research projects have received total funding of nearly 3 million euros with the aim of making connections between innovative artistic and cultural practices on the one hand, and scientific and societal issues on the other. The projects have been funded under the unique research programme Smart Culture – Art and Culture. The programme is a joint initiative of NWO Social Sciences and Humanities and the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA.
The funded proposals are in line with the aim of the Roadmap Smart Culture (link in Dutch): to further encourage research in the area of art, culture, heritage and media in relation to the creative industry and the other top sectors, from the most concrete to the most abstract level. The duration of the research projects ranges from two to four years.
The research projects will focus specifically on the position of the maker, as evidenced in part by the fact that artistic research is used as a research method in several of the funded projects. Another special feature of the programme is that it provides a platform for collaboration between universities and universities of applied sciences. All seven funded proposals involve both a university and a university of applied sciences.
Making knowledge accessible
Smart Culture – Art and Culture is one of the research programmes of the top sector Creative Industry. In this top sector, the emphasis is on research from which the creative industry can benefit. In addition, knowledge is made accessible to the sector and collaboration is encouraged between research and industry.
Prof. dr. M.A. Bleeker – Utrecht University
Consortium partners: Stichting Protospace, Hoekmine BV, Avans Hogeschool, Utrecht Science Park, Wageningen University & Research, Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool Utrecht
Acting like a Robot: Theatre as Testbed for the Robot Revolution
If, as Shakespeare famously claimed, “All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players”, robots are the new kids on the block. This project investigates how a collaboration between theatre and robotics may contribute to the development of communicative skills of these new players.
Dr. J. (Jeroen) Boomgaard – Rietveld Academy
Consortium partners: Universiteit van Amsterdam, Casco Art Institute, Waag | technology & society
Commons: new chances for the city and public space
This research focuses on the ways the notion of ‘the commons’ can contribute to new forms of (digital) public space and initiate different forms of urban development, while taking the potential contribution of design and art towards processes of 'commoning' as the main point of departure.
Dr. R.N. Frese – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Consortium partner: Gerrit Rietveld Academie
A computer becomes a plant becomes a machine.
Artists and scientists work together to create and explore new forms of biotechnology that help us develop adaptive strategies within the new ecology arising from climate change.
Prof. dr. A.S. Lehmann – Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Consortium partner: Hanzehogeschool Groningen
Curious Hands
We think not with our minds alone, but also with our hands. Making makes hands smart, and smart hands in turn stimulate intellect, creativity, social cohesion, and sustainable thinking. But how exactly are hands taught through making? Curious hands researches making in practice and develops educational methods for curious hands.
Prof. dr. H. Smidt – Wageningen University
Consortium partners: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Gerrit Rietveld Academie
Contemporary dyes are ecologically unsustainable.
A group of scientists and artists will be assembled to work together in new ways to create high-performance colour by non-harmful bacteria grown on low value industrial waste. By collaborating with these living micro-organisms, the fusion of technology and organic systems will be innovated.
Dr. E.A. Steinbock – Universiteit Leiden
Consortium partners: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Hogeschool Utrecht
The Heritage Sector at a Crossroads: The way of Intersectionality
This project investigates how heritage institutions can achieve inclusion and accessibility within their organization, collection, and exhibition spaces that meets the breadth of demands placed by today’s “critical visitors.” Fifteen heritage partners collaborate on activities to develop language and tools that dismantle intersecting oppressions, forms of exclusion, and marginalization.
Prof. dr. T.A.C. Witschge – Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Consortium partner: Hogeschool Utrecht
Another thing you can do with documentaries
What societal role do documentary makers strive for, and how do they employ new recording and presentation technologies like Virtual Reality, 360-degree cameras and drones? Together with our partners, we conduct action research: we co-produce a documentary about the open city. We research changing working methods in how documentary makers represent complex societal issues.