visitor information
visitor information
Opening hours
CREA main building
Monday to Friday: 09.00 – 23.00 hrs
Saturday: 10.00 – 23.00 hrs
Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00 hrs
CREA café
Monday to Friday: 09.00 – 00.00 hrs
Saturday: 10.00 – 00.00 hrs
Sunday: 10.00 – 18.00 hrs
CREA closed 2024/2025
- Christmas break: Monday 23 December 2024 until Sunday 5 January 2025
- Due to CREA team activity: Saturday 11 January 17 hrs & Sunday 12 January 2025
- Easter: Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April 2025
- King’s Day: Saturday 26 April 2025 (In 2025, King’s Day falls on Saturday 26 April. This is because King’s Day is never celebrated on a Sunday).
- Ascension Day: Thursday 29 May 2025
- Pentecost: Sunday 8 and Monday 9 June 2025
Course-free periods
- Fall break: Monday 28 October until Sunday 3 November 2024
- Christmas break: Monday 23 December 2024 until Sunday 5 January 2025
- May break: Monday 28 April until Sunday 4 May 2025
How to get there
Please note that CREA is located on a car-free site. The building is in the middle of the Roeterseiland campus and may be difficult for a new visitor to find. Therefore, please check the directions below.
Walking or cycling
- From Sarphatistraat: near the Albert Heijn supermarket (Sarphatistraat 141K) you will find a car-free alley (Pancrasstraat). Turn into this street and you’ll immediately see the back of the CREA building, walk towards the canal. You’ll find the entrance to CREA on your left.
- From Plantage Muidergracht: you can reach CREA via two pedestrian bridges.
- From Roeterstraat: enter the Roeterseiland campus via the right bank of Nieuwe Achtergracht, walk/cycle under the building built over the canal. You will see CREA on your right.
Bike parking
By bicycle? Bikes can be parked in the open-air parking area next to the CREA building or in one of the UvA’s underground parking areas. Please note that these underground parking facilities close at 10pm.
Tram and metro
- Tram 1, 7 & 19 – stop Korte’s Gravesandestraat. Walk to Sarphatistraat, then turn left. Just before the Albert Heijn supermarket, turn right into the car-free alley. From here on out, follow ‘Walking or cycling’ at point 1
- Metro 51, 53 & 54 – stop Weesperplein. Walk east down Sarphatistraat until past Roetersstraat. Just after the Albert Heijn supermarket, turn left into a car-free street. From here on out, follow ‘Walking or cycling, point 1.
Car
CREA is located on a car-free site. Available parking space near CREA is limited, especially in the evenings. The best chances are in the area around Plantage Muidergracht. From Plantage Muidergracht, CREA is easily accessible via two pedestrian bridges.
Loading and unloading
For this, call 020 399 1212 on weekdays between 09:00 and 16:00.
Accessibility & inclusion
At CREA, we aim to provide an inclusive and accessible environment for all our visitors. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our activities, courses, and performances, regardless of any disabilities.
Entrance
- The main entrance has a door with button to open at an adapted height for wheelchair users.
- Location: the main entrance is on Nieuwe Achtergracht, on the north side of the building (at the canal side) and is accessible via a wide walkway.
- The CREA café is accessible to wheelchair users via the main entrance and the nearby lift.
Lifts
- All floors are accessible with lifts.
- Lifts are located in the central hall and in the Achterfabriek.
Wheelchair accessibility
- All our halls, studios and workspaces are wheelchair accessible. Please note that the CREA building is a monumental building with small stairs and steps, and it may take more time to reach certain locations by lift.
- Studio doors are manual and can be difficult to open for wheelchair users, especially the studios with double doors. CREA desk staff can provide assistance (see assistance heading) when entering these areas.
- Accessible toilets are available on the first floor of both the main building and the Achterfabriek.
- Are you a wheelchair user and planning to attend a course? Send us a message and we will be happy to work out how to make your visit as easy as possible.
All-gender toilets
- All toilets at CREA are all-gender. Please note that there are toilet areas where urinals are also available, this is indicated with an icon on the door.
Contemplation rooms
Need a quiet space to meditate, de-stress, pray, or anything else? Then visit Building J/K, room B.93 on the UvA Roeterseiland campus. This location offers dedicated quiet rooms, intended as spaces where people can retreat. Read more about it on this page.
If this is not suitable, our reception can always find another solution for you.
Assistance
- Available, via reception: +31 (0) 20 3991212
- Location: central hall
We are aware that this information may be incomplete and we are working to communicate this in more detail.
We know that CREA can still improve a lot to be more accessible, and we are working on this. Your input is of great value to us in this regard! Give us feedback through this form or mail to planning@crea.nl or call +31 (0) 20 3991212.
House rules
By entering the CREA building and/or using its services and/or facilities, you agree to abide by the house rules.
For all CREA visitors:
- Safety
- Staff instructions and safety instructions must be followed at all times. In case of fire, accidents, aggression and other calamities: always alert reception (+31 (0)20 399 1212), stay calm and follow evacuation procedures if necessary.
- Smoking, open fire, weapons and the possession, use, and dealing of drugs are not allowed in the CREA building, on the CREA terraces and on the Roeterseiland campus.
- Participation in activities and/or use of CREA facilities is at your own risk.
- Respect for each other
Treat each other with respect. Discrimination, harassment, or unwanted behaviour based on gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other basis will not be tolerated. Threats, assaults, intimidation and other forms of aggression are prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the CREA building and denial of access. - Damage and theft
CREA is not liable for theft or loss of visitors’ property in the CREA building. Theft or wilful damage to CREA property will always be reported to the police. - Creative freedom and collaboration
CREA is a place for creativity and collaboration. Please respect each other’s work and ideas. Plagiarism or copying someone else’s work without permission is prohibited. - Eating and drinking
Eating and drinking is allowed in the designated areas. Be sure to clean up your waste and keep the areas clean. We do not serve alcohol to people under the age of 18. - Admission checks
For performances and courses, admission and/or discount tickets may be checked at the start of the activity. - Varia
- Bicycles and pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed to enter the CREA building.
- Announcements (flyers, posters, calls etc.) may only be placed on the notice board provided. In other places, these may only be posted with the permission of CREA.
- Found objects can be handed in at reception. Lost property will be kept for a maximum of 14 days.
- Do not take photos or video recordings of others without their permission. Please respect the privacy of all visitors. Taking photographs or video or sound recordings is not allowed in the theatre or course rooms, unless mutually agreed otherwise.
Additional house rules for visitors of the music and theatre hall:
- Mobile phones off
The use of mobile phones in the auditorium during performances and films is not allowed. - Consumptions
Consumptions may not be taken into the hall unless indicated otherwise in advance. - Be on time
You may be denied access to the hall after the start of the performance. Sold tickets will not be taken back.
Additional house rules for studio tenants:
- Space and equipment
- If a space is rented, it should only be used within the rented time. If this time is exceeded, additional charges may apply.
- Use the available spaces and equipment with care. Leave rooms tidy and report any damage or defects immediately to reception. It is not allowed to use equipment or rooms without reservation or permission from staff.
- Sound disturbance
Be considerate of others by limiting sound disturbance. Use headphones for music and ensure that activities do not cause inconvenience to other users of the studios. Keep the studio doors closed, this is also how climate control works best. - Eating and drinking
Food and drinks, except water in non-glass bottles, are not allowed in studios and course rooms. - Reservations
Reservations for rooms or equipment should be made in advance via the reception. Please cancel in time if you cannot use a reservation so that others have the opportunity to reserve it. Cancelling up to 24 hours is free of charge. If cancelled within 24 hours, a refund will not be possible.
Additional house rules for visitors to the CREA café:
- Only food and drinks purchased at CREA café are allowed in the café and on the terraces.
- Smoking in the café and on the terraces is not allowed.
- Violation of the house rules may result in removal from the café. If necessary, the café staff will contact the police.
Additional house rules for users of the CREA Voorfabriek:
Feedback and suggestions
CREA is open to suggestions and feedback. Feel free to suggest improvements via the feedback form at the end of your course, at planning@crea.nl, or to the staff.
These rules are designed to create and maintain a safe, inspiring and creative environment together. By following these rules, you contribute to a positive experience for everyone who visits CREA.
If you violate the house rules, you may be asked by CREA staff to leave the building. Failure to comply with these rules may result in a warning, temporary suspension, or a ban on using CREA’s facilities, depending on the severity of the offence.
If you have any questions about these rules, please contact us at planning@crea.nl.