meerturvenhoog: our program for professionals

Professionals program

The MEERTURVENHOOG program during the 2turvenhoog festival (April 14-18, 2025) is a deepening program centered around the concept of cultural health, with art at the heart of early childhood development. 2turvenhoog’s vision of cultural health is rooted in the idea that art is a fundamental right for every child, a right that embraces them as a complete human being from birth. Art is not an end in itself but an experience that helps children discover themselves, connect, and grow at their own pace.

The festival serves as a platform for collaboration, reflection, and exchange of experiences between artists, educators, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. Here, art merges with the daily realities of young children’s lives, where the artistic experience becomes an organic part of their development. The program aims to delve deeper into the value of art, presenting it as something that does and is: a valuable presence in the life experiences of children.

The MEERTURVENHOOG program is aimed at the different professionals working across various sectors such as the arts, welfare, education, and culture. It also provides valuable insights for artists interested in exploring the role of art in early childhood, and for anyone invested in promoting cultural health in their professional context.

Program Overview (April 14-18, 2025)

• April 14-16: Masterclasses with Goele van Dijck- Lab for artists

  Goele van Dijck, artistic director of the dance company Nat Gras, offers masterclasses for creators wishing to delve into creating art for young audiences (ages 2.5 to 4). This masterclass explores sensory experiences, interaction, and associative connections in art, drawing practical inspiration from the materials and set design of the performance MuurtjeMuurtje.

• April 15: Exchange between artists
  A day of reflection showcasing different Proeftuin (trial garden) components of 2turvenhoog. Stage artists Keren Levi, MeesBorgman, DT DaalRuit, and Rachel Schuit share their insights from their research processes related to young children, offering other artists the chance to observe artistic practices.

• April 16: Cultural Health with the City as the stage for everyone who is curious about working and presenting outside of the black box or white cube (Third Space).
  This program presents practical examples of community-focused art projects by 2turvenhoog. For instance, Jong Beginnen (for ages 2.5-4), which organizes art encounters in preschools, and De Speelcafés van mijn Stad (0-3 years), integrating art into community centers for young children and their parents.

• April 17: Plenary Discussion
  A plenary dialogue on cultural health and strategies for incorporating cultural and artistic experiences from birth, with professionals from various disciplines sharing their experiences. This provides an opportunity to reflect on how art can be considered an integral part of a child's being from the very beginning.

• April 17: CARAVAN Project: The first CARAVAN residency will be presented, where artists and participants develop strategies for art in the context of young children. This project emphasizes cross-sectoral collaboration where artists create work in dialogue with other professionals.

• April 18: Makers’ Conversation - exchange amongst artists
  The closing makers’ conversation allows 2turvenhoog festival participants to exchange experiences and reflect on the impact of art in early childhood.

2turvenhoog: Art as an Essential Value for Our Audience

2turvenhoog approaches art and culture with care, focusing on a vulnerable audience: young children and the adults who accompany them. In all we do, we are mindful of their vulnerability and the impact art can have on their development. We believe that art is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of age or background. Art is not a tool or instrument, but an intrinsic value that invites children to express themselves, communicate, and experience the world. It contributes to their emotional and social development, not as something that "helps" them, but as something that embraces them in their humanity. Art is an experience, an encounter that helps them explore their own potential and the world around them. Children are not born as beings in development but as complete individuals who have the right to culture and art from their first breath.

Core Values of 2turvenhoog:

• The right of every child to receive cultural and artistic exposure.

• The artist as a central figure, with space for both autonomy and collaboration.

• The importance of interdisciplinary work and collaboration across sectors.

• Quality in both artistic and pedagogical approaches.

• Creating lasting impact by integrating art into the daily lives of children.