The knowledge network for cultural venues
Platform Culture Locations was established to preserve and support cultural venues and heritage. 'We promote sustainable cultural entrepreneurship and assist staff at cultural venues in positioning themselves for events and conferences. More and more, we see cultural venues working towards a healthier mix of funding sources—not relying solely on ticket sales but also utilizing the commercial potential of a venue while respecting its cultural programming,' explains Annemieke van Hees, Community Lead at Platform Culture Locations.
This is also reflected in the growing number of members of the platform, which serves as a knowledge hub for cultural venues. Over 100 locations are affiliated with Platform Culture Locations, all active in the cultural sector. These include museums, theaters, music venues, and multifunctional centers. 'Each one is a unique venue that can truly add value to events,' Annemieke adds.
Knowledge Session
Photographer Nunes dos Anjos
Workshop
Photographer Nunes dos Anjos
Knowledge Session
Photographer Nunes dos Anjos
From Cultural Venue to Event Venue
When a cultural venue starts hosting commercial events, it often involves a different approach compared to its usual activities. A cinema is designed to welcome guests for films, museums focus on showcasing collections, and music venues center around programming various acts. 'There is a lot of overlap between the core business of affiliated cultural venues and their role as event venues. You organize, host guests, and provide catering. But positioning your venue as an event location is a different challenge in practice,' explains Annemieke.
What makes Platform Culture Locations unique is its organization-wide membership. This means it’s not only accessible to event professionals, such as catering, sales, and marketing staff, but also to directors and managers. With a diverse membership, Platform Culture Locations facilitates valuable connections between industry colleagues.
Why Choose a Cultural Venue for Your Event?
Cultural venues often have a strong vision or impressive collections that align with societal goals and current themes,' says Annemieke. 'You could organize an event internally at the workplace, but if you truly want to inspire employees or surprise clients, a unique venue is the way to go. The expertise present at cultural venues can be beautifully integrated into the narrative of your event. Additionally, hosting an event at a cultural venue directly contributes to the preservation of monumental heritage, art, and performing arts in the Netherlands.'
All the more reason to choose a cultural venue. And that’s without even mentioning the stunning settings many of these locations offer. Think of venues like the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, the Railway Museum, Metropool, the Zuiderzee Museum, the Concertgebouw, and many more.
History and Team of Platform Cultural Venues
Platform Cultural Venues (PCL) originated from the merger of multiple platforms. Initially, there was the Platform Museum Venues and Theater Venues Netherlands. In 2006, these networks joined forces. Annemieke explains: “Event professionals faced similar challenges. At the time, little was known about how to present and develop a cultural venue as an event location.”
This was not only relevant for museums and theaters but also for venues like music stages and cinemas.The merged platform began to grow. More and more municipalities designated spaces for multi-disciplinary cultural buildings. “As a venue, you suddenly had to deal with business operations, events, and sustainably managing the cultural location. The platform expanded and, in 2018, was rebranded as Platform Cultural Venues,” Annemieke adds. By then, the organization had evolved far beyond a network into a comprehensive knowledge platform.
And it shows! Platform Cultural Venues has grown into the leading knowledge center for the commercial management of cultural venues, with over 100 cultural locations across the Netherlands as members.
The Team Behind Platform Cultural Venues
Platform Cultural Venues is run by a dedicated team of three colleagues: a General Director, Annemieke (responsible for Platform Cultural Venues), and an operational support team member. Annemieke shares: “We are deeply committed to the network. Members can always reach out to us, and we are always ready to help. We explore what’s possible, and people appreciate our personal approach and the connections we foster. Especially in a time when much is becoming impersonal. If I were to describe us in a few words, I’d say we are passionate, enthusiastic, and personal in our work.”
The three-person team organizes all gatherings. For larger productions, freelancers are also involved. The Platform Cultural Venues team is well-coordinated, deeply engaged, and always open to new initiatives. Annemieke and her colleagues are devoted to the cultural sector and contribute to the future sustainability of cultural venues through the work of Platform Cultural Venues.
