---
title: "Amsterdam's new vision for creative entrepreneurs through incubator schemes"
date: 2023-09-06T16:13:24Z
modified: 2025-10-17T04:02:07Z
permalink: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/city-project/art-up-incubator-to-creative-entrepreneurs/"
type: city-project
status: publish
excerpt: ART-UP is a business incubator tailored for cultural entrepreneurs, helping creative small businesses to develop a plan for success and expansion, over a concentrated three-month programme.
wpid: 164773
tags:
  - Data
  - Funding
  - Leadership
region:
  - Amsterdam
country:
  - Netherlands
city-region:
  - Europe
topic:
  - Creative Practice
  - Economy
  - Education
featured_image: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/5-3.jpg"
---

## Project: delivering ‘ART-UP’ creative and business talent incubator



![](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/5-3.jpg)

## The Purpose

[ART-UP](https://www.art-up.nl/) is a business incubator tailored for cultural entrepreneurs, helping creative small businesses to develop a plan for success and expansion, over a concentrated three-month program.

## The Challenge

Creative businesses are often small or micro enterprises. They require tailored support to achieve sustainability and innovatively increase reach and impact. One challenge for the ART-UP project is the intensive nature of the incubator, where participants must commit to dedicating at least one day a week for three months.

> Upon completing the program, participants experience a transformation in their cultural businesses, marked by enhanced resilience and professionalism.

![](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1-3.jpg)

## **The Solution**

ART-UP aims to support initiatives that are still under development and looking to create a scalable business model. A successful pilot event ran in 2020, followed by a second round in Spring 2022. Around eight businesses took part in the third iteration in Autumn 2022.

ART-UP welcomed individuals involved in various art forms, including dance, pop music, visual arts, fashion, design, architecture and digital creations. The incubator is often described as a “pressure cooker” to highlight its intensive nature.

The support encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from business development and financing to enhancing impact and presentation skills. Participants benefit from coaching provided by both industry experts and professionals from different fields, as well as engaging in collaborative exchanges within the incubator community. The program also includes Q&A sessions with inspirational cultural entrepreneurs and regular progress assessments.

Businesses involved commit to dedicating at least one day a week for three months, with the option to send representatives for a subsidised fee. The project receives support from the City of Amsterdam and philanthropic foundations.

## The Impact 

Upon completing the program, participants experience a transformation in their cultural businesses, marked by enhanced resilience and professionalism. The networking aspect of the course sparks fresh collaborations and opportunities for growth. A pivotal component is the “Demoday,” during which alumni share their valuable insights and knowledge, promoting best practices and inspiring the next wave of cultural businesses to join the initiative.

_Source:_ [_World Cities Culture Report 2022_](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/publication/world-cities-culture-forum-report-2022/)

Images Courtesy Getty/Canva