Personal and artistic growth for young creatives in Amsterdam.
The Pillars of our Project
Art with a Purpose
As artists, we know that beauty comes through consistent work, patience and small changes over time. We see this process no differently in the lives of our students as they wrestle with their identity, future, outlook and place in the world. Art for us is a means to dig deeper into these aspects of their lives and make these conversations approachable as it provides a low threshold for students to explore their own thoughts, emotions and journey.
Positive Influence
Our ministry is called "Redefine" Arts because we firmly believe that every one of our students has a unique identity that has been placed inside of them. Through life's experiences and societal pressures, children have learned to fit in rather than be true to that identity. Our goal then is not to give them a new definition but to redefine, renew, restore what already exists. We believe in their unique potential and empower them to bring change using their own voices.
A Safe Place
At an age where they are discovering themselves, we can challenge them to love others and themselves, grow towards their potential and receive the acceptance we all crave as humans. This positive culture invigorates them in their actions and their future as well as their art-making. Our studio therefore is a consistent space where our students can receive constant guidance, advice and safety to be themselves.
This is our story
We started with a dream of opening an art studio for youth in 2016. That's when our founders Leah and Annet met, and Leah shared the vision that she had of a vibrant atelier filled with possibilities and ideas for the youth of Amsterdam. In 2018, we opened our atelier in the H-buurt of Amsterdam Zuidoost after much networking and lessons in temporary locations. The rest is history and now we see many students coming through our program exploring more about art and about themselves.
