Knowledge and research

Continuous investment in research and knowledge development is a central theme in Stroom's activities. We achieve this in collaboration with artists and partners, on a project basis, through digital platforms, and via various multi-year research lines.

The library is an essential part of Stroom and serves as an important research resource for visitors. The core of the library's collection consists of publications acquired in connection with our program, public art, artists, the city, and its residents. Surrounding this core, we gather material that provides context on (latent) observable developments—ranging from international to local levels—on political, cultural, social, and ecological themes. In short, everything to which contemporary art relates. We aim to ensure that our collection always offers space for diverse perspectives and evolving insights in the arts and society. Through this flexible thematic organization, we bring together current and previously collected publications in new contexts.

SpaceX
Stroom is a partner in the international program SpaceX (Spatial Practices in Art and Architecture for Empathetic Exchange). Together with other European organizations, we explore how art and culture can contribute to greater connectedness, equality, and solidarity within society.

The program brings together people from different fields—such as art, education, policy, and social sciences—to explore new, inclusive ways of living and working together. Its aim is to demonstrate how culture and creative practices can help build a more open and interconnected society.

SPACEX includes 29 partners from 11 European countries and Palestine—ranging from universities and academies to arts organizations and cultural institutions. Researchers and artists involved in the program will work across a variety of leading organizations, including festivals, museums, urban labs, and academic institutes;

Cultural Organizations
Coventry Biennial (Coventry, UK), NN Contemporary (Northampton, UK), Architecture, Art and Urbanism AA&U (Nicosia, Cyprus), Project Arts Centre (Dublin, Ireland), Foundation Casco (Utrecht, NL), Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven, NL), transparadiso (Vienna, Austria), Laboratory for Urban Commons (Athens, Greece), Kunstverein am Rosa–Luxemburg–Platz (Berlin, Germany), Festival dei Popoli (Florence, Italy), Home for Cooperation (H4C) (Nicosia, Cyprus), Sirius Arts Centre (Cork, Ireland), A Reserva na Fábrica (Oeiras, Portugal), Stroom Den Haag (The Netherlands), Mayday Rooms (London, UK), Prague City Gallery (Czech Republic).

Third country
The Wonder Cabinet, Bethlehem, Palestine

Research Institutes
University of Northampton UK, Royal College of Art (London UK), University of Cyprus (Cyprus), National College of Art & Design (Dublin, Ireland), University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Coventry University (UK), University College Dublin (Ireland), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), University of the Art (Helsinki, Finland), National Technical University of Athens (Greece), University of Applied Arts (Vienna, Austriam), Academy of Fine Arts (Prague, Czech Republic).

SpaceX is supported by Creative Europe, a program of the European Union.


Islands of Kinship
Another valuable foundation for knowledge exchange is the European network Islands of Kinship: A Collective Manual for Sustainable and Inclusive Art Institutions, which takes place from 2022 to 2024. We are a partner in this exchange between different regions, using an innovative collaboration model that addresses issues such as inclusion, kinship, togetherness, and democratic exchange. This program also tackles questions about values, emotions, and environmentally friendly operations at an institutional level, highlighted through a program based on four themes.