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Helleke van den Braber is Professor of Media and Performance Studies at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ who is specialised in patronage studies. Her study focuses on the cultural dynamics of private funding in the arts, specifically how benefactors, contributors, and crowdfunders help artists and cultural organisations. As a core team member of the IOS Platform Bottom-Up Initiatives for Societal Change, she brings her experience to multidisciplinary partnerships that look at citizen-led efforts to address societal concerns. Her work connects the Humanities to larger societal effect, building links between academics and cultural activity. In this interview, Professor van den Braber discusses her reasons for joining the Bottom-up Initiatives platform, how her research connects with the platform's aims, and what drives her work.

What moved you to join the Bottom-Up Initiatives for Societal Change platform, and what are your aims for this initiative for 2025?

I think the Humanities have a lot to add to what is happening at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ (UU) in general and at the Institutions for Open Societies-platforms in particular. As a Humanities researcher, I am very happy to play an active role in fostering interdisciplinary exchange with colleagues from other faculties. On a more personal level: I transferred from Radboud ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ in Nijmegen to Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ last year. Being part of the Bottom-Up community helps me to get to grips with the themes and concepts Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ is working with quickly, and joining meetings and events makes me feel part of the UU community. It really helps me to settle in.

How does your professional expertise connect you to our platform?

As a researcher, I focus on bottom-up organised funding models in the cultural sector, like benefactors, crowdfunders or major donors who cluster around cultural organizations or artists, and whose donations contribute to the flourishing of museums, orchestras, theatre companies, or enable the long-term careers and artistic successes of artists. This kind of private funding is perceived in the cultural sector as a ’third way’ of funding, alongside grants and marketing revenues (ticket sales, or sales of books, records or paintings). I examine the cultural practice of giving, paying close attention to the theory and history of this model.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your involvement so far?

One of my responsibilities within the Faculty of Humanities is to be an ambassador for what is called , and to stimulate new relationships between researchers and societal partners, aiming for more bottom-up collaborations with the field. As part of that effort, it was enjoyable and rewarding to be part of the Impact Day that the platform organized at the end of 2024, leading a session together with one of my own research partners, the department of Cultural Affairs of the Municipality of Utrecht. Together, we discussed what the concept of research impact can mean, both to the municipality and to the UU, and discovered how those viewpoints both aligned and differed.

Is there a book, podcast, or experience that has influenced your thinking?

Pascal Gielen, a professor of Sociology of Culture and Politics at the Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA), published a wonderful book called Trust. Building on the cultural commons in 2023. Gielen reflects on the increasing distrust in fellow human beings, governments and corporations, and highlights the importance of culture and the cultural commons for building trust. I find the way he advocates for a politics of trust that lets people develop and manage their own culture inspiring – reading the book gives me more trust and faith in the future, which is no mean feat for an academic text!

Professor van den Braber's significant dedication to cultural involvement and societal impact provides vital insight to the Bottom-up Initiatives community.

Stay tuned for more narratives from our members as we work together to create inclusive and sustainable change!