Imaginal Visie
Imaginal dreams of a society where different opinions and perspectives do not lead to division and fear, but rather to curiosity, exchange, and connection. Where the awareness exists that each person experiences the world around us slightly differently, and that we can all grow by looking at the world through the eyes of others. We see an important role for storytellers and (performing) artists who reflect societal developments back to us and continually present us with new questions and perspectives.
“[Creatives] are specialized cells in the social organism. They are evolutionary cells. Mankind is trying to become something else. It is experimenting with new ideas all the time. And [creatives] are a means of introducing new ideas into society and also a means of responding symbolically to life.”
Kurt Vonnegut (Pity the Reader)
What does Imaginal do?
The Imaginal Foundation stimulates storytelling and theater productions, as well as other artistic expressions that contribute to a broadening of perspectives. Imaginal achieves this by actively fundraising for productions and projects that align with our objectives, by general fundraising among individuals, and by providing a limited number of hours of advice and support to initiatives that fit within the goals of the respective year. The guiding principle is always to respond where there is a need.
For Imaginal, this involves not only the final productions but also the manner in which they come into being. In evaluating initiatives to support, the work process is considered just as important as the end product. Imaginal aims to support initiatives where:
- The process is driven by curiosity and a willingness to explore resistance.
- There is a belief that different perspectives strengthen artistic expressions and lead to a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
- There is space for vulnerability, authenticity, and self-reflection.
- An organic flow approach is adopted, working with what 'is,' without resistance to 'setbacks' (it’s not a bug, it’s a feature philosophy), with trust in the unknown, room for serendipity, and openness to unexpected opportunities.
- The process not only results in a final product but also stimulates the personal and/or artistic growth of the artist.
Organisation & contact
Stichting Imaginal
Akersluis 21
1066 ER Amsterdam
info@imaginalcreations.nl
06-24768228
Kvk nummer 83455299
RSIN 8628.80.816
Founding date 20 juli 2021
The board of the foundation consists of an executive director, under the supervision of a Board of Trustees. The executive director and Board of Trustee members do not receive remuneration for their activities.
Board/executive director nia@imaginalcreations.nl
Nia Mercken
Board of Trustees RvT@imaginalcreations.nl
Cécile Gronert (voorzitter)
Guido Verburg (algemeen lid)
Peter Gerritsen (algemeen lid)
Cultural ANBI
The Imaginal Foundation has a cultural ANBI (Public Benefit Organization) status. We actively engage in cultural activities for at least 90%. In the Netherlands donors to cultural ANBIs enjoy an additional tax advantage. This means that as an individual, you can multiply your donation to us by 1.25 and deduct it as a gift in your income tax return. So, for example, if you donate €100 to us, you can deduct €125. Companies subject to corporate income tax are allowed to deduct 1.5 times the amount of such a donation in their corporate income tax return.
Documents (in Dutch)
Beleidsplan 2025-2027
Begroting 2025
Jaarrekening 2024
Jaarverslag 2024
Beleidsplan 2024
Toepassing Governance Code Cultuur
Toepassing Code Diversiteit en Inclusie
Rooster van Aftreden Raad van Toezicht
Jaarverslag 2023
Beleidsplan 2023
Begroting 2023
Jaarverslag 2022
Beleidsplan 2022
Jaarverslag 2021
Imaginal is looking for a Board of Trustees Member
Do you have an affinity with our goals and philosophy, possess general managerial qualities, and wish to make a critical contribution to the Imaginal Foundation? Or do you know someone who might be interested? Click here for more information about the position
Imaginal Creations
The Versions We Tell
The Versions We Tell is a multimedia storytelling theater production made possible in part by a contribution from the Imaginal Foundation.continue reading