The Youth Fund for Sport & Culture Amsterdam enables many children in the city to participate in cultural activities, such as dance, music, and drawing lessons. However, we know that some children have extra talent and passion and are eager to further their artistic development. For them, the cost of additional lessons, performances, or training can quickly become prohibitive and hinder their development.

That's why we're starting a special Talent Fund Culture For motivated students with great perseverance and talent. This fund is designed to provide additional support to children from low-income families who already participate through the Youth Fund, enabling them to further develop their skills in areas such as dance, music, theater, art, or literature. This additional contribution allows children to follow a more extensive curriculum or participate in special talent classes, further enhancing their skills and potentially even preparing them for arts education. In this way, we bridge the gap between regular lessons and arts (preliminary) education. The Talent Fund for Culture is a pilot program of the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture Amsterdam.

Go to the application form (for providers)

Hoera! Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Utrecht heeft vandaag de zevende video van Kies je Kunst in Houten gelanceerd. In de video’s zien we jongeren aan het woord over hun passie op het gebied van kunstbeoefening. 

Ballet vind ik echt heel leuk!

In deze zevende video zien we Viviana, 12 jaar. Zij zit op ballet bij Balletschool Helen Wilson in Houten. “Ik volg hier al ongeveer vijf jaar les op deze school. Ik doe ballet, jazz, tap en modern. Klassiek ballet is best precies en zo. Ja, ik vind dat echt heel leuk! Dansen is een hele leuke manier om je energie te uiten. Er zijn heel veel verschillende soorten dans dus je kan gewoon kiezen wat het beste bij je past.” aldus Viviana. Bekijk hier de video van Viviana en ook de andere zes video’s.

Kies je kunst Houten

Kies je Kunst Houten is een reeks van korte video’s, gemaakt in opdracht van Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Utrecht en in samenwerking met Jeugdpas Sport & Cultuur Houten en Stichting Shine Houten. De video’s hebben als doel om meer kinderen/jongeren enthousiast te krijgen voor de kunstbeoefening met de boodschap dat het lesgeld daarbij geen belemmering hoeft te zijn. Deze video is gemaakt door Sjoerd Derine.

Choose your Art Houten is made possible in part by a contribution from the municipality of Houten.

Dance teacher, coach and choreographer Nicholas 'Shaker' Singer

We are proud to announce that we welcome Nicholas Singer, also known as Shaker, as ambassador of the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Amsterdam.

The Liberian-born Shaker came to the United States at age 6^and He moved to the Netherlands with his mother. Shaker: "I've always felt like a second chance to make the most of life every day." And he does! As the owner of Global Dance Centre, one of the largest dance schools in Amsterdam, he inspires many young people every day to follow their passion and develop their talents.

Passion

Shaker learned to play piano and guitar, but he always really just wanted to dance. His mother wasn't allowed to make dancing her profession because, in African culture, dancing is seen by some as something done for fun, or to seduce, Shaker says. But once in the Netherlands, his mother introduced him to the dance and music school: "I see it this way: my mother put me on the first step of the stairs and gave me the impetus to walk up." Finally, at 16, he got^and his mother's permission to fully pursue his passion, he put everything aside for dancing.

Raising awareness for the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture

This year, Shaker is coaching a new television program: Project Dance, in which unknown people showcase their dance talents, and 10 participants are selected and coached to the finals. "I immediately thought: this is the moment I have to become an ambassador for the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture. I want to raise awareness for the fund and inspire children to explore the art forms of dance and music. I hope parents and children think: maybe I can achieve something through dancing too!"

Shaker continues: "I want to make my voice heard because children get far too little exercise, and I speak the language of parents who have too much on their minds due to all sorts of problems. Financially, but also with other concerns." As an ambassador, Shaker hopes to reach children who sit in their rooms thinking, "I can't do it, I don't dare, it's not for me," and that they will finally try and take that first step. Even if it's just one.

It takes a village to raise a child

This African proverb is the basic idea behind the concept of Global Dance Centre, Shaker: “We have to do it together: listen to the voice of the school, the parents, the members, the teachers and everyone who cares about the school. There are clear rules, together we look after each other, together we form a kind of community“The school's DNA is passed on, as many alumni return to teach,” he says.

Dance school with a global character: everyone welcome

Shaker chose the name Global for his dance school because everyone, regardless of culture or country, should be able to dance at the school: hip-hop/street dance, African dance, dancehall, jazz, and ballet. "It's a dance school for children and young adults, but I also have a 79-year-old woman who does African dance," Shaker says. He adds that the first final performance at the Bijlmer Parktheater was one of the highlights of his life so far: "All those waving children on stage with all those parents in their Sunday best with flowers. That connection with parents and children—I really managed to create that."

Shaker's dream: a breeding ground for talent

"My dream is to transform a building somewhere in Amsterdam Zuidoost into a home where young people can engage in activities like dancing, singing, presenting, and so on," says Shaker, "a breeding ground for talent. An open house where the established order comes in to scout talent. Let the encounter happen; we need to find each other; come and see all that talent." His final message is: "Young people, if you want to achieve something: work hard, be yourself, show individuality, willpower, and your good intentions," says Shaker.

Pay attention to every child

Cultuur@CruyffCourts van start in Utrecht Noordwest

Het Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur en de Johan Cruyff Foundation bundelen met het project Cultuur@CruyffCourts de krachten om kinderen en jongeren uit armere wijken toegang te geven tot sport en cultuur dichtbij huis: op Cruyff Courts. Voetballen of vloggen, tennissen of rappen; tijdens Cultuur@CruyffCourts krijgen kinderen en jongeren de kans te ontdekken wat ze leuk vinden tijdens een reeks proeflessen in de eigen wijk.

In 2023 gaat Cultuur@CruyffCourts op verschillende Cruyff Courts door het hele land van start. Op de Cruyff Courts vinden meerdere weken lang allerlei verschillende culturele activiteiten plaats waar kinderen en jongeren aan mee kunnen doen. Zo maken ruim 2.000 kinderen kennis met sport en cultuur in hun eigen buurt.

Meedoen kost niets! We hopen dat kinderen en jongeren op het Cruyff Court naast sport, ook in aanraking komen met culturele en creatieve vormen en dat het ze motiveert om daarna een club te kiezen. Deel uitmaken van een club is leuk en goed; je bent wekelijks in beweging, maakt nieuwe vrienden, leert omgaan met winst en verlies en vergroot je zelfvertrouwen. Skills waar je je hele leven iets aan hebt. Als er thuis geen geld is voor een club, betaalt het Jeugdfonds het lesgeld.

Kick- off Programma

De feestelijke aftrap wordt gegeven door allround straatvoetballer Nasser el Jackson en vindt plaats op vrijdag 22 september van 15.30 – 17.00 op het Wesley Sneijder Cruyff Court te Utrecht. Daarnaast zijn er allerlei workshops voor kinderen en jongeren van 8 t/m 17 jaar waaronder breakdance, podcast, fotografie, film en muziekles & jammen. Kijk voor meer informatie en het actuele programma op: Utrecht – Cultuur@CruyffCourts.

Today The Floor Is Yours, the breakdance program of the Youth Fund Sport & Culture in collaboration with the Dutch Breakdance League and Mad Skills, starts in Haarlem. The breakdancing scene appreciates you for what you are willing to put out, whether you are a pro or a beginner, have a big wallet or a thin one. Diversity is a given, you can be there. Under the guidance of teacher Falko de Graaf, children will start today at Triple ThreaT with 10 free lessons to learn moves that they will later take with them to the grand final: the national City vs City Battle. They can then take lessons, possibly supported by the Youth Fund.

Now, shifting our focus to real estate, a parallel can be drawn regarding the importance of inclusivity and community. Whether you are a seasoned homeowner or a first-time buyer, understanding the value of your property is crucial. The query, “do you ask how much is my house worth,” is pertinent to anyone navigating the housing market.

Determining the value of your home involves a multifaceted approach. Key factors include the location, size, condition, and recent sales of comparable properties in the area. Employing a professional real estate appraiser or utilizing online valuation tools can provide an accurate estimate. However, local market trends, economic conditions, and specific neighborhood developments also play significant roles in influencing property values.

In conclusion, whether it's the world of breakdancing or real estate, understanding your standing and potential is vital. For homeowners, regularly assessing the value of your property ensures you stay informed about your investment, enabling better financial planning and decision-making.

Watch the video

“It was great to see Tamar dancing on that floor, I was so proud! Everyone is appreciated, it doesn't matter whether you have just finished lessons or are already very good. I want to teach Tamar that you can try anything and that it doesn't matter if something doesn't work out. It's about discovery. And that's exactly what she learns in these lessons” – mother of Tamar