Menu Close
NL

Why the Urban Arts Centre?

a fundamentally inclusive form of culture

If something characterizes our city, it is that it is truly urban. Just think of the breathtaking architecture, the versatility of different cultures, the large amount of greenery and the many playgrounds, and the diversity of stages and theatres. All reasons for an appropriate cultural offer in this beautiful city. Urban Arts, of course, are part of that!

Why Urban Arts?
Urban Arts (metropolitan art forms) have become an integral part of Rotterdam. After all, Rotterdam is a cosmopolitan city and is viewed in a very positive way internationally and in various ways. We bring in international artists and works of art, our port is the largest seaport in Europe and therefore indispensable for our primary needs. We not only live in the city, but we are also known as an international 'supplier'.

No matter how colourful our city is, the classical, western culture still prevails in this colourful city, unfortunately. Various studies have shown that many of our non-Western and Eastern European city dwellers cannot culturally come into their own. The offer is not diverse enough or the marketing route simply does not reach the right final destination. We, some harder than others, are now working hard to create an inclusive city.

What is an inclusive urban offer?
Let's first make something clear: we're not talking about diversity and hip-hop. Inclusiveness is different from diversity and hip hop is different from urban.

These two similarities should be mentioned in one sentence, because many people often apply the 'two of a kind' principle to them. However, the opposite is true!

Inclusiveness is about what you feel where diversity is about what you see. When we talk about inclusiveness, we are talking about whether someone feels at home in a certain place or in a certain group. We talk about understanding and respect, and how together we can make this world a home for everyone. For the disabled, the less educated, the street boys on the corner, the different orientations, the different beliefs, the over- or underweight people and so on! We are talking about making room for what we are not used to as a matter of course. Culture is not always skin color or costume bound. Culture is a feeling just like inclusiveness.

Also in urban and hip-hop the basis is different. Where urban is open by definition, hip-hop has been given a rigid framework. Hip-hop has 5 elements: MC-ing, DJ-ing, B-boying, Graffiti and Knowledge. These elements have guidelines that guard the hiphop culture. Knowledge is the study of the roots of hip hop. Without the awareness of the history and knowledge of these roots, performing hiphop or becoming part of the hiphop culture is almost impossible.

Urban, on the other hand, has no specific guidelines. Two things are important here; first, everyone is allowed to participate and second, the place of birth is the big city, any big city. This has led to many mergers and overlaps and has brought new art forms to life. Art forms that do appeal to the 'forgotten' cultural groups in Rotterdam, because these cultures themselves were born out of mergers and overlaps. Urban is therefore fundamentally an inclusive form of culture.

So what will be the function of the Urban Arts Centre
?
A platform and home for non-institutionalized art forms with inclusiveness as a starting point. It is where all art forms born in the big city can and may be (further) developed. New mergers may arise and, as a result, new collaborations and network relationships.

It is important that the self-taught learning pathway is stimulated. This is part of the inclusive character that tells us that nobody determines whether something meets certain standards or quality requirements. We are all part of this world and have an equal right to exist.

At the moment, the Urban Arts sector is struggling. It often involves smaller institutions, starting entrepreneurs and new art forms. To achieve this, it is necessary to create a profile, where this sector can grow and be seen in a strong and sustainable way. Urban Arts has been indispensable in major world cities for more than 50 years. Rotterdam, we have to get to work!

 

Indirah Tauwnaar is director and artistic director of House of Urban Arts.