The Academic and the Civic

Town and Gown

This research area has a practical as well as a theoretical side. The practical has to do with knowledge transfer: the CfH makes special efforts to increase the visibility of the humanities in a broader non-academic world and more specifically to strengthen the ties between the City of Utrecht and its University, through the Town and Gown programme. This is implemented through, for instance, the launching of the Treaty of Utrecht Chair in 2009, funded by the Province of Utrecht. Theoretically, this project focuses on the relationship between the Academic and the Civic by contributing historical, cultural and political research in this area. More concretely it also promotes a cosmopolitan practice of citizenship in the work of both the University and the City of Utrecht with respect to cultural diversity, social sustainability and human rights.

Arts, science and society

The relationship between the arts and science is also central to the academic and the civic theme. The CfH aims at exploring the intersections between society and the arts through exhibitions, lectures and discussions as well as through the Writer in Residence programme and a diversified programme of Creative Fellowships and Artists in Residence linked to the leading festivals taking place in the City of Utrecht, notably the Springdance Festival and the Early Music Festival. Most of the activities are held jointly with BAK, basis voor actuele kunst, the contemporary arts centre in Utrecht and in co-operation with the Utrecht City Council. The CfH plans to achieve this aim by sponsoring a selected range of academic, artistic and cultural activities designed both for members of the academic community, for arts practitioners and for the general public.

The relationship between the arts and science is also central to the academic and the civic theme. The CfH aims at exploring the intersections between society and the arts through exhibitions, lectures and discussions organized with the Writer in Residence programme and the Artists in Residence programme  linked to the leading festivals taking place in the City of Utrecht, notably the City2Cities Festival, the Springdance Festival and the Early Music Festival. Furthermore, the Social Responsibility of the Artist programme hosts a series of public interviews with renowned national and international artists. The CfH plans to achieve this aim at exploring the intersections between society and the arts by sponsoring a selected range of academic, artistic and cultural activities designed both for members of the academic community, for arts practitioners and for the general public.

Alliance with Foundation Vrede van Utrecht (Treaty of Utrecht)

An important contribution to the academic and civic research area is the alliance of the CfH with the Foundation Vrede van Utrecht, funded by the Utrecht City Council and the Province of Utrecht. Utrecht University has agreed to cooperate in several manifestations that will take place in 2013. In this year, the Foundation Vrede van Utrecht will celebrate the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in our city, which is recognised as a major reference point in the history of Europe and the world. For Utrecht University, this is an excellent opportunity of showcasing academic research on the topic of the Treaty of Utrecht itself to a broader public.

CfH and the Foundation have agreed that the CfH will contribute as organiser of an academic programme, related to the so-called ‘dark side’ of the Treaty of Utrecht. This programme will focus on the interrelatedness of European countries of the Treaty of Utrecht with their overseas possessions, from the point of view of the legacy of colonialism and slavery. The result of this will be an international conference entitled ‘1713-1863-2013: the Treaty of Utrecht, the Colonial Legacy and Slavery’ in September 2013.

In the years towards 2013, expert meetings within the framework of a European consortium as well as public debates and a student exchange programme will be organised as part of informing and getting the Utrecht University community involved in the commemoration of less well-known aspects of the Treaty of Utrecht.