Creative collective sought for new cultural venue in Rotterdam East

Opposite Rotterdam Alexander station, the former Club Outland is getting a new cultural destination. SKAR is developing a multifunctional space here, together with the municipality of Rotterdam, where creators can work, produce, experiment, and present.

The building is set to become a 'nightmakers' house': a place where production, meeting, and presentation converge. Not a traditional club or a standard collective building, but a shared infrastructure for creators, cultural organisations, and the public. With studios, workshops, rehearsal spaces, a stage, and public areas, an environment will be created where talent can develop and new collaborations can emerge.

With the "nachtmakershuis" (night makers' house), a missing link in Rotterdam's cultural infrastructure is created: a place where production, talent development, and public programming come together. The building offers space for creators who currently often fall between the cracks, while simultaneously strengthening the cultural and nighttime dynamics of Rotterdam-Oost.

Practical information

  • Location: former Outland & Club Blu / Prins Alexanderlaan 37, Rotterdam
  • Planning: expected opening first half 2027
  • Programme: stage, public space, catering, makers' spaces and event space

Please note: SKAR is responsible for the development and rental of the location, but does not provide an operational subsidy. The selected operational collective is itself responsible for the operation, management, and financing of the public programme.

Selection process

Deadline for submissions: 24 August 2026

Site visit: 12 August 2026

Selection interviews mid-September 2026

Intended selection late September 2026

Partners

An initiative by SKAR in collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam and N8W8 R'dam.

Interested?

Please send your proposal by 23:59 on 24 August 2026, in PDF format (max. three A4 pages), to: kelly@skar-ateliers.nl – questions can be sent to the same email address.

Assignment information

 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an exploitation collective, organisation, or partnership that:

    • Experience with programming, hospitality, and stages in a cultural context
    • A maker- and community-driven vision has
    • A place that can operate from A to Z with space for start-ups, experimentation, and new talent in the form of a foundation or association
    • To work together within a collective model
    • To jointly organise and develop the place
    • To deliver a diverse and accessible programme.
    • Has affinity with East Rotterdam

What are you going to do?

The collective will become one of the tenants of the property and will be responsible for the public part of the venue, including:

    • Co-programming of stage and audience space
    • Exploitation of ancillary catering
    • Community and audience building
    • Safety, routing and crowd management
    • Collaboration with creators, tenants, and partners in the building

What are we asking?

A proposal of max. 3 A4 pages, including:

    1. Short vision of the place and programme
    2. Approach for hospitality, community, and public engagement
    3. Relevant experience and previous projects
    4. Team description and role allocation
    5. Initial ideas regarding exploitation and cooperation

Selection criteria

The selection committee assesses based on:

    • Content qualities: Experience with night/performance, network in the makers' field, vision for talent development.
    • Organisational skills: Has experience and can manage a multi-year programme, including budgeting, and arranging safety and permits.
    • Community-focused qualities: Open, collaborative, builds a strong community.
    • Feasibility: Is the plan achievable within time, space, and budget?
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