In 2006, Triodos Bank launched Triodos Cultuurfonds, based on our vision that arts and culture contributes to a healthy society and quality of life. The fund aims to encourage investment in arts and culture in the Netherlands and thus reduce the sector’s dependence on government subsidies or grants and stimulate cultural entrepreneurship. Clients that have received funding have opened museums, theaters, galleries and have even refurbished churches to become an epicenter for artistic creation.
New purpose in life
The Metaal Kathedraal, once a historic church in Utrecht and then metal factory, is a great example of how Triodos Cultuurfonds can help bring two trends together. Like the Metaal Kathedraal, almost every day a church becomes vacant somewhere in the Netherlands; a situation we see more and more in other European countries as well. The question is often what to do with these monumental buildings that are no longer in use for religious purposes. Providing them with a totally new function proves to be a viable solution.
At the same time there is a clear demand for cultural hotspots, locations where artists can rent affordable work space in inspiring surroundings or where they can benefit from working with like minded artists.
From church to factory to cultural hotspot
Maureen Baas and her partner Abel Tattje have turned the former church and factory into a cultural podium, a community centre, and a breeding ground for other artists.
With a loan from Triodos Cultuurfonds, Baas and Tattje were able to purchase the building and re-establish it as a cultural icon. Baas describes the Metaal Kathedraal as “a community centre and a place where artists have an environment to work. It also can be used for organising shows for younger and older audiences alike, which we plan to do in the future.”
Baas wanted the structure to be appealing and also accessible: “The roughness of the building has to be preserved, but it still has to be a comfortable place to work.”
The building was recently refurbished. All aisles have been furnished as working spaces and are available for rent. Baas has future plans involving cultivating a small garden where visitors can get their vegetables and affordable coffee at the Metaal Kathedraal.
Cultural hotspots like this one have proved to contribute to a better quality of life.
Financing culture
For Triodos Cultuurfonds, several considerations played an important role in granting the loan. Firstly, this specific example of a cultural hotspot showcases the fund’s mission: it provides affordable workspaces for artists and as such plays a catalysing role in the cultural sector. Cultural hotspots like this one have proved to contribute to a better quality of life within a residential area, building bridges between artists and local communities.
Furthermore, they can offer solutions to empty and unused buildings, such as this church. New life has been given to this building, contributing to a more sustainable and pleasant environment for local people.
This project is proof that artistic strength can be combined with a business approach.
From a financial perspective, the fact that Metaal Kathedraal is not only a centre for artists, but also a venue for weddings and conferences benefiting local people and businesses, gives the project a broader and thus stronger economic base. In addition, Triodos Cultuurfonds is one of several financial sources. The fund financed the largest part of the investment, but there is more than one financier involved. This mitigates the risks for the fund and the owners alike.
“To me, this project is proof that artistic strength can very well be combined with a business approach, which enables the cultural sector to achieve a financially healthy business” says Fund Manager Eric Holterhues. “With Metaal Kathedraal we clearly make a double impact: a monumental building has been saved by giving it a new purpose and at the same time, a creative hotspot has been created with a stage, exhibition space and affordable working space for artists.”
Metaal Kathedraal
The Metaal Kathedraal is one of many impactful projects financed by Triodos Cultuurfonds. By providing financial services to arts and culture, Triodos Bank and Triodos Cultuurfonds have pioneered growth and innovation in the broader arts and culture segment. Together, they financed over 446 arts and culture projects throughout the Netherlands. Triodos Bank has been financing projects for more than 30 years in the arts and culture sector and over 1,800 artists have pursued their vision in workspaces, enabling them to develop their art and connect with wider audiences.