Historie

CREA came into being in the late 1960s during a turbulent time with many educational innovations, with the goal to make social and cultural education a fundamental part of student life. In the process, a number of existing arts and culture student associations joined forces to form one large organisation where the practice of art was central: CREA was born.

CREA’s first beginnings were at Herengracht 88 and the Herenlogement on Huidenstraat/Keizersgracht. After a period on Sarphatistraat in an old military hospital, the Binnengasthuisterrein became the location of CREA for many years. From 1999, CREA also became the cultural student centre of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), where previously we were only part of the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

In 2012 CREA moved for the last time, this time to the former diamond-cutting factory ‘Maatschappij’ in the heart of the Roeterseiland campus. Behind the monumental facade, a contemporary cultural student centre with modern facilities flourishes, where thousands of students meet every year during our courses and cultural activities. We also facilitate over fifty student organisations in our building, and the CREA Café has been an important meeting place for UvA and HvA students for years.

Mission & vision statement

Mission

At CREA, Amsterdam’s centre for arts and culture, we offer students, alumni, and staff an inspiring space to explore and develop their creativity. We believe that creative processes are essential for building the future. Our mission is to challenge and stimulate individuals through a diverse range of artistic courses, workshops, and events, with a focus on discovering and expressing new ideas. By fostering cultural expression, we contribute to personal well-being, community cohesion, and the social awareness of our participants.

Vision

CREA envisions a world where creativity and the arts are central to personal and social growth. We provide an urban playground where diversity and inclusion are inherent values, and where people from various cultural backgrounds and disciplines can learn and thrive. At CREA, you are encouraged to see things through new eyes, to speak with different voices, and to safely experiment and embrace failure. Through art and culture, we connect science, society, and individuals, creating a safe space for reflection, innovation, and the formation of a more engaged and empathetic world.

At CREA, you develop life skills—social, emotional, and artistic. This is a place where lifelong friendships are formed, and where you discover the value of autonomy, empathy, and self-reflection. Our goal is to make a lasting impact on the well-being and creative potential of all our participants, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive, and future-focused society.

CREA – Challenge, Inspire & Play.

Partnerships & collaborations

CREA is the cultural student centre of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Hogeschool van Amsterdam (AUAS), as well as collaborating with several other organisations to connect people of all (study) backgrounds.

Main partners

Collaborations

Publicity