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Museum Rotterdam partners with Zadkine college

Bryan van Putten education 29 May 2025

education

ROTTERDAM, 29 May 2025 – Zadkine and Museum Rotterdam have formalised their longstanding collaboration, marking a new chapter in educational heritage engagement in the city. This partnership aims to deepen student understanding of Rotterdam's wartime and post-war history through customised programmes.

Zadkine and Museum Rotterdam confirm official partnership

Museum Rotterdam and vocational education institution Zadkine have formally signed a partnership agreement, solidifying years of informal collaboration. Students and educators from Zadkine have regularly visited Museum Rotterdam '40 – '45 NU to explore the city’s wartime past and post-war reconstruction.

This new agreement is expected to provide more structured opportunities for students to engage with heritage education and civic themes. These include diversity, democratic values, and social responsibility—core objectives of the Dutch citizenship curriculum (Burgerschap).

Customised programmes for MBO students

In recent years, educators from Zadkine and the museum’s educational team have co-developed tailor-made programmes linking historical themes such as remembrance and freedom to students’ everyday experiences. Lessons extend beyond the classroom and museum setting, often taking the form of walking tours, lectures, or performances.

According to Doriene Reitsma, education coordinator at Museum Rotterdam, the partnership highlights the role of heritage education in vocational schools: “With this partnership, we underline the importance of heritage education at MBO level and how history can build bridges to today’s society. We aim not only to inform students but also to inspire them to think critically about the world around them.”

Marloes de Vries, chair of the Zadkine executive board, commented: “To now officially include Museum Rotterdam as a partner is a valuable step forward. This cooperation enables us to develop more programmes that align with our students’ perspectives, helping them to engage with history in interactive and meaningful ways.”

Educating future generations through local heritage

By officially joining forces, Zadkine and Museum Rotterdam aim to make Rotterdam’s heritage more accessible to students, while highlighting the interconnectedness of the city’s past, present and future.

Location of Museum Rotterdam '40 – '45 NU

Museum Rotterdam '40 – '45 NU is located at Coolhaven 375, in the Delfshaven district. The museum is easily accessible by metro (Coolhaven station), tram and bicycle. The surrounding area features the historic harbour, student housing, and several educational institutions.

Expeditie Blijdorp app draws 21,000 hours of learning

Bryan van Putten education 29 May 2025

ROTTERDAM, 28 May 2025 – A new interactive app is drawing attention at Diergaarde Blijdorp. Thousands of visitors are engaging with nature education through their smartphones.

Expeditie Blijdorp introduces digital learning in the zoo

Diergaarde Blijdorp has introduced a new digital learning experience through its app, known as Expeditie Blijdorp. The interactive feature, which combines entertainment and education, has recorded 21,000 hours of use in just 14 weeks. It aims to engage visitors—both during and beyond their zoo visits—with biodiversity and sustainability topics.

Launched earlier this year, Expeditie Blijdorp encourages users to participate in educational challenges via their smartphones. Through location-based prompts and home assignments, participants learn about animal species, habitats, and conservation efforts. Activities completed in the app unlock badges, exclusive content, and in-zoo rewards, offering a hybrid experience that connects physical exploration with digital engagement.

Thousands of educational hours logged

The app currently has 100,000 users, who have collectively spent more than 21,000 hours engaged in educational tasks. The initiative has been designed to increase awareness of environmental conservation while making learning accessible and voluntary. According to the zoo, the recorded time is equivalent to over 21,000 biology lessons.

Diergaarde Blijdorp sees this as a step towards fostering long-term appreciation and care for nature, particularly among younger generations. The app has contributed to the zoo’s aim of facilitating low-threshold learning experiences that are both recreational and informative.

Expansion and collaboration with WNF

Encouraged by positive feedback and early adoption rates, the zoo plans to further develop the app with new routes and interactive features. Notably, the World Wildlife Fund (WNF) has collaborated on a dedicated turtle route, highlighting both the beauty and vulnerability of the species.

Carolien Ottjes, Chief Marketing Officer of Diergaarde Blijdorp, commented, “The 21,000 hours of education are more than just a number; they reflect how well we’re responding to the growing trend of combining recreation with learning.”

Supporting long-term engagement

Expeditie Blijdorp plays a central role in the zoo’s broader loyalty strategy, developed in partnership with DPDK for the 2023–2026 period. The app not only enriches the visitor experience but also contributes to behavioural change, public involvement in conservation, and new revenue models. Through digital innovation, Blijdorp continues to explore sustainable approaches to audience engagement.

Directions to Diergaarde Blijdorp

Diergaarde Blijdorp is located in the north-west of Rotterdam, close to Rotterdam Centraal Station. The zoo can be accessed easily via public transport or bicycle, with ample parking for visitors arriving by car. The main entrance is near the Blijdorplaan.

Arts and culture in Rotterdam's mbo education

Bryan van Putten education 28 January 2025

ROTTERDAM, 28 January 2025 – A new initiative aims to integrate arts and culture into Rotterdam's vocational education (mbo), fostering creativity and resilience among students. The project, a collaboration between KCR and Zadkine, focuses on research, innovation, and inclusion.

What is a practoraat?

A practoraat is a specialised programme within vocational education (mbo) in the Netherlands. It functions as a platform for research, innovation, and collaboration. Unlike traditional teaching methods, a practoraat focuses on hands-on, practice-based learning to address real-world challenges. By working with students, teachers, and external organisations, a practoraat introduces new ways of learning and teaching, tailored to the needs of students and society.

The Practoraat Kunst en Cultuur als Veranderkracht (Arts and Culture as a Force for Change) aims to embed arts and culture into vocational education. Its focus is on helping students develop personally and professionally, particularly in Rotterdam's diverse urban environment.

The practoraat: fostering creativity through arts and culture

On 23 January, Kenniscentrum Cultuuronderwijs Rotterdam (KCR) and Zadkine officially launched the Practoraat Kunst en Cultuur als Veranderkracht. This initiative is designed to integrate arts and culture into mbo education, with the goal of empowering students to grow both personally and professionally.

Over the next three years, the practoraat will explore ways to make arts and culture a central part of mbo education. Collaborative projects with teachers, students, and cultural institutions will be at the heart of these efforts, aiming to show how creativity can enrich both education and personal development.

“Arts and culture can challenge students to get fully involved and to investigate what works,” noted Clara Linders, a member of the core team. According to her, these experiences can build confidence and inspire students to take an active role in their own development.

Research findings highlight opportunities

Researcher Bas Delmee shared findings from a preliminary study, Arts and culture in vocational education, which reviewed the current state of arts and cultural education at Zadkine. The study highlights existing initiatives and identifies opportunities to integrate arts and culture more systematically into vocational training.

“This exploration reveals where we stand and how KCR can contribute by sharing knowledge and addressing needs for innovation, such as inclusion and student participation,” explained Liesbeth Levy, director of KCR and an initiator of the research.

Launch of '100 Ways of Learning'

The practoraat has already begun work on innovative projects, including “100 Ways of Learning”. This project places students’ personal knowledge and life experiences at the centre of the learning process. It shows how learning occurs in many contexts, not just in classrooms, but also at home, in sports clubs, and in social settings. Students are encouraged to share their perspectives and learn from each other’s experiences, fostering mutual understanding and growth.

“Learning has no boundaries, and everyone possesses knowledge that is valuable to others,” stated Olga Mink, the project’s Practor. She believes that arts and culture can expand students' perspectives, equipping them with tools to shape their own futures.

A collective effort

The practoraat is a joint initiative of KCR and Zadkine, with Albeda, Techniek College Rotterdam, and LKCA as partners. The programme is financially supported by Fonds 21 and the Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie. Updates about the project can be followed via the KCR website or Zadkine's platform.

Cultural education strengthened in Rotterdam schools

Bryan van Putten education 06 December 2024

ROTTERDAM, 6 December 2024 – A new phase of 'Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit' has been approved, aiming to strengthen cultural education in Zuid-Holland. Rotterdam continues its involvement through KCR, further embedding culture into local schools.

Zuid-Holland invests in sustainable cultural education

The Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit (CmK) programme, which translates to “Cultural Education with Quality,” is a national initiative aimed at integrating cultural education into schools to benefit all children. The programme promotes creativity, personal development, and social awareness through exposure to arts and culture.

The Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie (FCP, Fund for Cultural Participation) has approved the 'Cultuureducatie met Kwaliteit Zuid-Holland 2025-2028' (CmK4) plan. As a provincial coordinator, Kunstgebouw will work with 32 municipalities across Zuid-Holland, including Rotterdam. The programme, supported by over €5 million in municipal investments and matched by FCP, aims to ensure accessible, high-quality, and sustainable cultural education throughout the province.

Rotterdam plays an active role in this initiative through KCR (Kenniscentrum Cultuuronderwijs Rotterdam, or Rotterdam Knowledge Centre for Cultural Education), which connects schools, cultural organisations, and artists to strengthen cultural education across the city.

Strengthening cultural education in Rotterdam

KCR has been a key partner in implementing cultural education initiatives in Rotterdam. Through CmK4, KCR will continue its work in linking schools with cultural institutions, ensuring that children across the city benefit from creative, enriching experiences. The programme supports Rotterdam’s ongoing efforts to integrate culture into education while contributing to the broader provincial goals of the CmK initiative.

This new phase will also address specific regional needs, with tailored approaches for Rotterdam’s unique educational and cultural landscape.

Provincial support for the first time

For the first time, the Province of Zuid-Holland is financially supporting CmK. This additional funding will enable a wider reach and more resources for participating schools and cultural projects, including those in Rotterdam. The support is expected to strengthen the region's cultural infrastructure and secure the long-term sustainability of cultural education programmes.

Advancing CmK4 in Zuid-Holland

Kunstgebouw and its partners are set to begin the new phase of CmK4 in the coming months. A key focus will be aligning cultural education with municipal policies and preparing for curriculum changes in arts and culture education. These efforts aim to ensure schools and cultural organisations are equipped for the future.

Leo Adriaanse, director of Kunstgebouw, remarked: “We are highly motivated to enter a new CmK period. With the planned curriculum reforms, the available resources will prepare the education and culture sectors optimally for the future.”

More information and the complete project plan can be found here: https://www.kunstgebouw.nl/projectplan-cmk4/

New music education initiative launched in Rotterdam-Zuid

Bryan van Putten education 03 June 2024

ROTTERDAM, 3 June 2024 – A new partnership between the Port of Rotterdam and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra aims to provide music education to 6,000 children in Rotterdam-Zuid each year. The collaboration will help schools in Rotterdam-Zuid overcome barriers to accessing cultural education.

Port of Rotterdam and Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra join forces for music education in Rotterdam-Zuid

A renewed sponsorship agreement between the Port of Rotterdam and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra will enable thousands of children from schools in Rotterdam-Zuid to experience the joy of music each year. The partnership aims to break down barriers that have previously prevented many schools in the area from attending performances at De Doelen.

Henriette Henny, Manager Development at the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, explained the significance of this initiative: "For many schools in Zuid, attending performances at De Doelen remains challenging due to various factors such as high costs, limited learning time, staff shortages, and the perception of the orchestra. This renewed partnership allows the orchestra to fulfil its dream of reaching more children in Zuid."

Long-term commitment to education

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, and George Wiegel, General Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, signed the sponsorship extension at De Doelen, extending their longstanding collaboration until the end of 2026. The Port of Rotterdam will contribute €40,000 annually to support the orchestra’s outreach efforts in Rotterdam-Zuid.

Connecting schools and culture

As part of the collaboration, a coordinator will be appointed to link various parties in Rotterdam-Zuid with the aim of achieving cultural and social objectives. The plan includes partnering with at least ten schools in Zuid to organise an enriched musical school day each year. These events will feature mini-concerts and music workshops, involving approximately 6,000 children annually.

Boudewijn Siemons emphasised the importance of connecting the city and the port: "As the Port of Rotterdam, we are inextricably linked to Rotterdam. Through this collaboration, many children from the city can get acquainted with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. Music can create so much connection and joy, and we are pleased to contribute to that."

Partnership history

The Port of Rotterdam has been a significant sponsor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for many years, supporting various initiatives, including the orchestra's travel fund. This sponsorship allowed Europe’s largest port to utilise the city’s top orchestra to welcome guests, with concerts often linked to receptions abroad in cities such as Brussels, Vienna, Paris, Jakarta, and Seoul.