ABC Huis
Chapter 2
The official launch of the new organization, the ABC Huis, a management merger between the Artiance Art Center and the Kennemerwaard Public Library, took place on 1 January 2021. Efficiency gain improved significantly in 2022 in the back office thanks to the gradual streamlining of company processes. The partnership is now primarily based on individual projects involving the combined expertise of both organizations. These projects reflect what the future has in store, for example, Groots Alkmaar, Kunstmaatjes and Luisterhuisjes: Three interesting projects that illustrate how the integration of both organizations’ qualities can provide a better service package.
Online tv Groots Alkmaar
Groots Alkmaar produced a monthly television broadcast on art, culture, history, and nature in and around Alkmaar in 2022 (excluding the summer vacation period). The editorial staff, all senior citizens, have developed their qualities further the past year, and in their approach and production are as capable as our own professional colleagues.
The program was broadcasted from a different location every time. They began in the In ’t Houten Huis Museum in De Rijp, and then in Artiance, Wijkcentrum de Oever, the Hervormde Kerk in Stompetoren, De Hortus, Café de Vriendschap in Driehuizen, the Pétanque association in Alkmaar, Huize Dieu, the Nieuwpoort Alkmaar, and the Grote Kerk in Schermerhorn. The narrative, and what people come in search for at the relevant location, always forms the basis for the broadcast.
The senior citizens received assistance from younger film makers and technicians last year. Ambitions are high. We want to strengthen Groots Alkmaar into one of the most important communities for people over 65 years of age in the Alkmaar region within three to five years. We will accomplish this together with the Alkmaar city council and other partners within the Alkmaarse Coalities Aanpak Eenzaamheid: A community which implements and provides the Dag & Dauw and Kunstmaatjes projects.
www.artiance.nl/kijk-luister/groots-alkmaar-uitzending/
Kunstmaatjes (Partners in Art)
The Kunstmaatjes project was launched in autumn 2022 as part of Groots Alkmaar and again we work in this project together with partners from the Alkmaarse Coalitie Aanpak Eenzaamheid. These are organizations that (also) visit people at home. There we can see what their needs are and help them on the road to discovering their own creativity. This resulted in many matches last year: two gentlemen who discovered the keyboard together, two ladies played quatre mains piano, and three ladies with early dementia who joined in creative activities at Artiance’s studios. The BiebKoffie in the De Mare library branch also played an important role in Kunstmaatjes. People became involved in all the available activities or came with their own ideas.

Luisterhuisjes (Audio Hub Trail)
The Luisterhuisjes project that was planned to be finalized in 2022 was still being developed at the end of the year. Seniors and youth members make audio games together in Artiance’s theatre section in this project. On the so-called Luisterhuisjes Trail, people who are interested will be able to listen to various narratives that have taken place in different areas in Alkmaar in the past. The trail has almost been completed and will be open to the public in April 2023.