Cultural Hilversum

We are committed to a vital club life. Associations with all their volunteers are the cement of society. Here, young and old learn to work together, to deal with disappointments, and to take responsibility.

CDA Hilversum wants to give associations more room for initiative by reducing regulations and permits. It is good if associations are given space for their plans and ideas. Where possible, general rules or a notification will suffice.

When voluntary and association activities are an extension of everyday (permit-free) activities, such as at a concert or exhibition in a church, we want to handle event permits flexibly. Association buildings are exempt from immovable property tax (OZB).­

Where facilities are under pressure, they are preferably designed for multiple users. In this way, facilities can be maintained for longer. For example, schools, care institutions and associations can use the same building.

Volunteers, people who put their heart and soul into helping others, are an indispensable link in the bonding and quality of life of our districts and neighbourhoods. We cannot do without our volunteers because without their efforts we cannot exercise, churches and community centres remain closed, schools cannot organise anything extra and the voluntary fire brigade does not respond.

Volunteering is not only important for society. It is also good for the well-being of the volunteer himself. Volunteering often provides new contacts, knowledge and skills. It offers new (work) experience, which can be a great stepping stone to a (new) job. Scientific research shows that people who make a contribution to society, for example, because they volunteer, are on average and remain healthier than those who do not do voluntary work.

In 2019, CDA Hilversum conducted a survey among volunteers and organisations in Hilversum. They are close to our hearts and that is why CDA Hilversum will focus in the coming years on:

• setting up a one-stop-shop where organisations and volunteers can go with questions;
• investing in the volunteer centre so that it becomes possible to better support volunteers and organisations;
• Promotion of volunteer work in schools and raising awareness of the social internship. The increase of young people provides vitality, literally and figuratively.
• Starting a pilot project with social service.

We believe it is important that every resident of Hilversum can develop through music, drama or other cultural education and has access to places where art and culture come to life. It is therefore important that there are accessible facilities for the practice of (amateur) art and that these facilities are financially supported by the municipality.

We are proud of our associations such as Beatrix, the Cuypersensemble and the Grafisch Atelier. But the Groot Omroepkoor, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Sound and Vision are also cultural institutions that put Hilversum on the map!

Culturally, there will be choices to be made in the coming years. CDA Hilversum opts for structural support for the library and encourages organisations and associations that bring liveliness to our village. But also small companies, in which next to culture, meeting each other has a central role, can count on our support.

As far as CDA Hilversum is concerned, the relocation of the library to the city centre - with good parking facilities - will be realised in the coming period. We believe it is important that the library remains accessible to young and old. In the years ahead, the library will play an increasingly important role in our digital society.

Cultural activities also take place at neighborhood level, CDA Hilversum wants to expand this further in the coming period.

CDA Hilversum wants welfare families and families on the poverty line to be able to participate in cultural activities. We want to encourage their participation by making the offer cheaper for them.

It is important to encourage local artists. That is why CDA Hilversum wants the municipality to organise a competition for a work of art in public space.

The municipality of Hilversum is the guardian of Hilversum's heritage. And that goes further than caring for (municipal and national) monuments. Heritage tells the great story of Hilversum history. The traces of this are also visible in the urban and spatial development from the past. This partly determines Hilversum's special identity as a garden city. To protect these, it is important to adjust the building heights and volumes of the forthcoming new construction of many homes accordingly. Image-defining and valuable buildings should be included in the plan development for this.

In the coming years, CDA Hilversum will focus on:

• The establishment of a publicly accessible Heritage House for Hilversum
• Hilversum's archaeological wealth should be included in education
• Develop a program to bring students into contact with the past
• Facilitate the regional archive in the digitisation of archive documents
• Redevelopment of industrial heritage while preserving historical character and/or identity.
• Looking to the future while preserving the past. Giving a new function where necessary is the best form of preservation.
• Continuing to actively support private individuals in the maintenance of the monument they live in, for example through a contribution/small loans
• Contribution from facade repair fund for the maintenance of homes with a characteristic facade
• Together with Beeld & Geluid, develop a 24-hour package or weekend package for Hilversum, for example in cooperation with NS day trips.
• Developing plans for the commercial exploitation of the TV tower as a business card for Hilversum (Erfgoed/Dudok 100 years)

The history of Hilversum deserves more attention. There is now no fixed place where this history is structurally displayed. The Hilversum Collection is now stored in various locations. The establishment of a publicly accessible Heritage House, therefore, deserves facility or financial support from the municipality, for example in combination with the new library or Museum Hilversum.

The Heritage House can become a centre where Hilversum residents can learn all about the history and cultural heritage of Hilversum. It can also be a cultural meeting point and meeting place for interested residents, associations and school classes.

In Hilversum, there are a number of good examples of reuse of industrial buildings, such as Chef aan de Werf at Werf35, the milk factory at Larenseweg or the salt bunker/Parc at the Oude Haven. Other examples where the past has been incorporated into the future are the gas holders that have been replaced by apartment buildings in the shape of a gas holder and the old warehouses that have been replaced by houses in the shape of warehouses. As a result, the historical contours remain visible and the state names remind us of the former purpose. At the same time, something completely new has emerged that does justice to the past. We will continue this policy and thus prevent dilapidation and contribute to the memory of cultural heritage.

In a time of increasing secularisation, church buildings are increasingly losing their original function. CDA Hilversum makes every effort to realise a good (re)purpose for these visually defining buildings that match the character of the building and the neighbourhood in which it is located.­

CDA Hilversum calls for more attention to the archaeological treasures around Hilversum. In that context, policy should be developed together with specialists on how to deal with our archaeological treasures/finds. We would like to seek collaboration with an organisation such as the Archaeological Working Community Naerdincklant (AWN).

Characteristic and historic buildings belong on the municipal monument list. Special attention is required for the 19th and early 20th century facades. It is important to keep the facades in good condition. This can be done with the help of the Façade Recovery Fund. Repurposing monumental buildings is preferred over demolition. We want to pursue an active policy on this.

Every Hilversummer should be able to take cognisance of the past. This is currently only possible on a limited scale. Digitisation of archival materials (eg 'on-demand' as The Hague offers) is a modern way of opening up access to the past for residents.

Hilversum is the Media City. CDA Hilversum makes every effort to maintain the character of a media city. CDA Hilversum is also committed to enabling the repurposing of characteristic vacant broadcasting buildings, which contribute to the character of 'Hilversum Mediastad'.

Image and Sound and the TV tower should be used even better as a business card for Hilversum.