LECTORAAT CHANGE MANAGEMENT – De Haagse Hogeschool

With our project SUSTAIN, a joint project of The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Avans University of Applied Sciences, we researched the role of so-called Spacemakers. 

Spacemakers are parties that aim to contribute to system change by making space for art in unusual places, such as within the economy, science, or technology.

The objective: to work with art towards a sustainable and just society, in ecological, economic, and social terms.

Spacemakers strive for a prominent role for art in these contexts to achieve meaningful transitions. 

Six Spacemakers were part of the SUSTAIN research: Art Partner, Circus Andersom, Future of Work, In4Art, V2_, and Waag.

Through this practical research, SUSTAIN provides more insight into the precise role, methods, and added value of Spacemakers in the necessary transition. With our research we aim to contribute to the further development of this field.

SUSTAIN has resulted in two outcomes:

1. The Spacemaker Toolbox, a practical tool for Spacemakers to explore and professionalize their work from within.
2. The Spacemaker Stories, a series of booklets (‘cahiers’) in which we look at Spacemakers’ practices from a bit of a distance and help Spacemakers better articulate what they do, why they do it, how they do it, and what value/impact they create with it.

In the weeks to come, we will be highlighting some of the key elements of our Spacemakers research. But do feel free to download the toolbox and cahiers in one go.

The research was conducted by Jacco van Uden (professor of Change Management), Godelieve Spaas (professor of Economy in Common), Olga Mink, Marga Rotteveel, and Kim Caarls.