ELJA Academy
The ELJA Foundation is an impact-driven fund. In addition to developing, co-creating, and financing programs, the ELJA Foundation also initiates research and capacity building through the ELJA Academy. The aim is to further strengthen the ELJA Foundation’s partners and projects. The knowledge and insights gained are shared with cultural organizations, funds, and other relevant stakeholders in order to achieve maximum impact.
Impact Research
For all collaboration partners with multi-year programs, the ELJA Foundation commissions an independent research agency to carry out impact studies. The results are shared with stakeholders in various ways and used to expand knowledge, improve existing programs, and develop new initiatives.
For example, in 2024 Impact House | Grant Thornton conducted research into the Sing & Dance UP! program. This factsheet contains a summary of the findings; the full research report is also available.
Scientific Research
Commissioned by the ELJA Foundation, Prof. Dr. (Koen) C.J.M. van Eijck, Professor of Arts and Culture Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam, has authored a scientific publication on themes central to the Foundation’s mission.
The ELJA Foundation organizes the MeetUp twice a year: an afternoon full of inspiration where partners learn from experts—and from each other. Each MeetUp focuses on a different theme, such as “youth participation” or “the learning network.”
In addition, training programs contribute to the professional development of cultural organizations. For example, in 2025 the Impact Academy was launched, a practice-oriented learning program on impact. The ELJA Foundation will develop multiple learning trajectories tailored to the needs of the cultural organizations within its partner network.
The ELJA Foundation organizes the ELJA Foundation Conference & Award every two years.
On Thursday, 30 November 2023, the first ELJA Foundation Conference took place at the DeLaMar Theater in Amsterdam. During an inspiring afternoon featuring distinguished international speakers from academia, the arts, and society, the theme “Young at Arts: How arts & culture can drive social change and youth empowerment” was at the forefront. On this day, the ELJA Foundation Award was also presented for the very first time: a lifetime achievement award for an organization or individual who has made an extraordinary contribution aligned with the Foundation’s vision. During the award ceremony, a total of €100,000 in prize money was awarded to winner Jeugdtheater Hofplein (€75,000) and to nominees Hiphophuis and Aslan Muziekcentrum (each €12,500).
The second ELJA Foundation Conference & Award will take place on 25 November 2025.
Foto door Tomek Dersu Aaron – 19 januari 2025
ELJA Young is the youth council of the ELJA Foundation. The young members, aged 12 to 18, come from all over the Netherlands, from Groningen to Cadier en Keer and from Hilversum to Amsterdam. ELJA Young brings a fresh perspective and advises the ELJA Foundation on projects and campaigns, including the Founder Projects. They also organize their own annual event for young people and present the ELJA Young at Art Award.
Meet ELJA Young. Read more here.
Questions or suggestions regarding ELJA Young? Send an e-mail to daantje@eljafoundation.nl
The ELJA Foundation’s podcast series is now available!
In Young At Art Radio, Astrid Rose (Director of the ELJA Foundation) speaks with idealists—from artists to scientists and entrepreneurs—about the importance of art for young people and for society.
The podcast series features conversations with, among others, Dirk de Wachter (psychiatrist & author), Ramsey Nasr (poet, writer & actor), Gunay Uslu (CEO of Corendon and former State Secretary for Culture & Media), Willemijn Verloop (Founder of War Child), and Tania Kross (mezzo-soprano).
Visit the Young At Art Radio page to listen to our (mostly Dutch spoken) podcasts!