Can art help bridge the growing inequalities in our cities? What role can culture play in fostering individual and collective well-being? And who pays the price for creativity?
Join us during the ACEI 2025 Public Day to explore these pressing issues through dialogue, debate, and shared imagination. Together with artists, researchers, policymakers, and citizens, we’ll ask not only what culture can do- but also what it should do- in a rapidly changing world.
- Date
- Tuesday 24 Jun 2025, 09:00 - 18:00
- Type
- Conference
- Spoken Language
- English
- Location
Campus Erasmus University, CB1 - Theil Building
The future of the cultural and creative economy
We find ourselves at a pivotal moment where the boundaries between art, culture, and the economy are being redrawn. In a world where both public and private funding are under pressure, and where the cultural and creative sectors must navigate the tension between innovation and commercialization, fresh insights and bold, transformative ideas are more urgent than ever.
Join us on 24 June at Erasmus University Rotterdam
The mission of Erasmus University Rotterdam is to create positive societal impact through education and research, in close collaboration with both local and global stakeholders. In its commitment to understanding and addressing today’s complex societal challenges, the university is uniquely positioned to serve as the organizer for a day dedicated to exploring the roles of art, culture, and creativity in shaping the world we live in.
Erasmus University Rotterdam is proud to host the 23rd International Conference on Cultural Economics (ACEI) — a gathering that not only celebrates 50 years of scholarship but, more importantly, looks ahead to the future of the field. To mark this occasion, and to make the most of the presence of hundreds of conference participants from around the world, we are launching the conference with a special opening day. This event brings together professionals, policymakers, alumni, students, researchers, and other engaged audiences for a shared exploration of urgent questions and emerging insights. This special day—featuring an exceptional keynote by Ruth Towse and three engaging panel discussions—is not to be missed by anyone interested in the future of the cultural and creative economy.
Program
Registration
Welcome by the organizing team and the executive board of Erasmus University
Introduction to the theme.
Keynote by Professor Ruth Towse: Where are WE now in Cultural Economics?
followed by Q&A.
Coffee Break
Panel 1: Organization development in the cultural and creative economy
All panelists graduated from Erasmus University’s Master’s Track in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship
Panelists:
- Aylin Beijersbergen (Strategy & Policy at Museumvereniging)
- Roos Bernelot Moens (Head of Fundraising & Relations at Dutch National Opera & Ballet)
- Loes Hoogenboom (Freelance Cultural Economist, Lecturer and Project Manager)
- Maartje Janse (Impact Fund Manager at SECRID)
- Josje Stoel (Program Development at Stichting Monumentenbezit)
Moderator:
Margaux Benoist d'Etiveaud (Master student Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship)
Poster session: Discover research and education activities from Erasmus University’s staff and key stakeholders.
Speakers include:
- Gijs Gootjes (Director Northwest Europe for EIT Culture & Creativity )
- Wim Pijbes (Director Stichting Droom en Daad)
- To be announced
Moderator:
Astrid Manden-Benneker
Panelists include:
- Arnold van de Water (Co-founder and director of Concrete Culture, director of Factorr)
- Farshida Zafar (Director of Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship)
- Arthur Steiner (Expert on Impact Investment and Philantropy in CCSI)
- To be announced
Moderator:
Ellen Loots
Conclusion and opening of the ACEI conference
Drinks and networking
Keynote speaker Ruth Towse: 'Where are WE now in cultural economics?'
Ruth Towse, former Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, is currently Professor of Economics of Creative Industries at the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM) at Bournemouth University. Her work is on the economics of copyright and cultural economics. Cultural economics is important because resources are used in the cultural sector as they are in every other part of the economy.
Towse edited the Journal of Cultural Economics from 1993-2002, was President of the ACEI from 2006-2008 and is now a Distinguished Fellow of the ACEI.
What can you expect?
- Insights into the latest trends and research in cultural economics
- A deeper understanding of the evolving role of copyright in creative industries
- An opportunity to engage with like-minded academics and professionals
Expect an inspiring day about the challenges and opportunities of the creative economy together with policymakers, academics, industry, and professionals.
Additional speakers will be announced shortly as the program is finalized: stay tuned for updates.
Practical information
This day is hosted by Erasmus University Rotterdam and free of charge for those attending. Please make sure you register for this event via the green button register here!
- Related content
