A look at... Learning with and from eachother

In developing and organising programmes, the Centre for Science and Culture often collaborates with (cultural) partners. What is the added value of this cooperation for the partners and what does it bring for students and visitors?

TivoliVredenburg

“Tivoli once started as a pop venue, but we are now a large cultural stage with a lot of diversity in the line-up and programme. TivoliVredenburg has a national image, but also definitely a local function. So to shape the Knowledge & Debate programme, we also need local partners. Utrecht University is one of them. We have a shared objective: to make research accessible to a wide audience, including those who think it is a bit stuffy. The Betweter Festival, organised annually by the university, fits perfectly within that objective. Our building lends itself well to events with a festival setting, where people can have a sense of wonder.”

Marieke Hulsbos is programme maker Knowledge & Debate at TivoliVredenburg

Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU)

“Complex societal issues can only be solved across disciplines and domains and require different perspectives to come together. The connection between art and science leads to fresh insights and innovative approaches to topical issues such as sustainability, technology, identity and care and welfare. At the heart of this dynamic encounter between science and art is also always an educational question: how do we learn, how do we learn together and how do we learn from each other? The cooperation between the university and HKU is therefore valuable, inspiring and meaningful for both parties.”

Heleen Jumelet is chairman of the Executive Board of HKU

Utrecht Public Library

“The value of our cooperation with Utrecht University is obvious; we want to offer all our members and visitors the space and means to learn, to gain new knowledge, to ask questions, to explore and be amazed. Both in the Neude and in the neighbourhood libraries, the cooperation with the university produces great programmes and encounters that contribute to this. Especially in the neighbourhoods, there is still a world to be won in this respect, both for Utrecht University and for us. So we look forward to further strengthening our cooperation in the coming years. Because not only will our visitors get wiser from this cooperation, Utrecht University’s researchers will also get wiser from our visitors!”

Mieke Franssen is manager Locations at Utrecht Public Library

Text: Eline Dondorp