BOOKMAN 144: CULTURE AS PROBLEM SOLVER? Reciprocity is the key word

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Amsterdam, 11 September 2025 - What role do art and culture play in solving societal problems? What can we expect from them in these times of great challenges? And how does the use of art for social purposes relate to professional autonomy and artistic freedom? In the latest edition of magazine Bookman we explore these questions and bring together current insights from science and practice.

Bookman #144: Culture as a problem solver? is available from now on, click here and view the table of contents.

Research conference

The latest Bookman is a follow-up to the conference Culture as problem solver, which the Boekman Foundation organised together with Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Landelijk Netwerk Cultuurbeleid in Theater Zuidplein this spring. There, extensive discussions were held on diverse themes such as health and care, sustainability and climate, social change and art education. Several contributions at the conference are included in this issue.

Artists excellent problem solvers

In the opening article Meta Knol (author and consultant at the intersection of culture, science and society) how artists have always acted as problem solvers. Their 'right to risk' enables unexpected breakthroughs and new perspectives. Astrid Weij (director Kunsten '92) argues for the question mark after the title of the conference and this Bookman replace with an exclamation mark: the cultural and creative sector contributes demonstrably to social transitions. Reciprocity is crucial here; cooperation is only possible on the basis of equality and trust, mutual complementarity brings change power. Reciprocity is also central to the contribution of Helleke van den Braber (Professor of Cultural Value, Patronage and Society). What do we need from artists and what do we as a society want and can we give to them?

Art in healthcare

The cultural sector can also do a lot in healthcare, writes Tineke Abma (Professor of Elder Participation). An ageing population and staff shortages, among other things, mean that more attention should be paid to prevention and person-centred care. Art can take an integral place within care, Abma shows using a project at the Amsterdam care organisation Cordaan. Artists working with people with dementia not only give, but also experience more substantiality in their practice.

Tension between impact and independence

In addition to much enthusiasm about the power of art to change, these Bookman also a warning. Cultural funds and governments are increasingly encouraging projects because of their intended social impact, but if art is judged too much on social impact, there is a risk of losing sight of its intrinsic value.

Bookman #144 includes contributions from: Astrid Weij, Meta Knol, Helleke van den Braber, Tineke Abma, Julia Peters, Koen van Eijck, Julian Schaap, Antonia Becker, Janna Michael, Natasha Taylor, Laura Cull Ó Maoilearca, Sabine Niederer, Patricia de Vries, Teun van Irsel, Barbara Baarsma, Natascha Knobbout, Elte Rauch, Brecht Hermans and Lisa van Woersem.