OUR FOUNDERS
Pip Wong
Social entrepreneur, developmental psychologist, autodidact, visual artist.
Pip has a very diverse educational and professional background, including teaching and research in psychology, neuroscience, nutrition, and pedagogy; running a volunteer-driven social restaurant, free grocery store, crisiscatering, and food waste distribution centre under hotspot hutspot; and starting and handing over Boterhamsters, a school breakfast and lunch service for disadvantaged children.
After participating in All You Can Art in Rotterdam, Pip has made a switch from using food as a medium to using art as a medium to facilitate social change and personal development.
Pip’s approach to art involves a deep exploration of life from multiple perspectives. By engaging with various lenses or “frames of reference” Pip seeks to uncover and reshape their artistic identity, continuously evolving and re-/defining their creative expression.
www.schmippin.com
instagram: @schmippin
pip@artishome.org
Heather Beveridge
Visual artist, designer, radio maker, and theater coach.
A graduate of Gray’s School of Art in 2015, Heather began her career as a multidisciplinary designer and brand experience consultant.
After spending several years in the field, she experienced first-hand the profound impact a lack of creativity has on health and wellbeing. Heather then shifted her focus to researching and promoting the healing properties of the creative process and fostering connections and communities among diverse social sectors. Her personal projects stem from this research – experimenting with new ways to engage herself and others in this “creative flow”, across all mediums of the creative arts.
www.habatelier.com
instagram: @habatelier
heather@artishome.org
We strive to provide a safe space and resources so that everyone can exercise their creative freedom.
Stichting Art is Home makes art accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstances.
Co-founders Heather Beveridge and Pip Wong started the initiative after taking part in the All You Can Art (AYCA) summer school in 2023, a collaboration between Kunsthal Rotterdam and Instituto Buena Bista (Curaçao). During the program, they worked with a diverse community, including students, visitors from Pauluskerk, and participants from Reakt and Laurens Ouderenzorg. This experience reinforced the need for inclusive spaces where creative expression fosters social connection.
At its core, Art is Home is about creating a sense of belonging through the arts. As newcomers to the Netherlands, both Heather and Pip found connection and home through creativity – and they aim to help others do the same.
Following AYCA, they joined forces with fellow alumni to rent a shared studio, which became the foundation of Stichting Art is Home. Today, the organisation provides space and resources for people from all walks of life through art workshops and projects. Their initiatives include IBB Radio in Curaçao, art classes for refugees, and various socio-cultural projects that use art to address social challenges.
OUR VISION
At Stichting Art is Home, we aim to tackle several pressing challenges:
The undervaluation of art and culture
Many people underestimate the impact of creative expression, particularly in social settings, on overall happiness and wellbeing. We want to highlight how making art can enrich lives.
A lack of sustainable income for artists
Too often, talented artists struggle financially, taking on unrelated work just to make ends meet. We strive to create opportunities that allow artists to sustain themselves through their craft.
Gaps in the healthcare system
Long waiting times and standardized treatment approaches don’t always meet individual needs. We believe creative expression can play a vital role in mental and emotional well-being.
A decline in art education
Many schools lack sufficient arts education, limiting children’s opportunities for creative development. We advocate for more artistic engagement in early education.
Social divisions that hinder creative collaboration
Strict boundaries between social classes limit opportunities for shared artistic experiences. We work to create inclusive spaces where people from all backgrounds can connect and create together.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE
Greater access to art for everyone
From young people who need a space to express themselves, to corporate employees who could help create these spaces for others, to communities in other countries seeking cultural and international connections.
Bridging the gap between artists and the public
We want to reach those who feel they aren’t ‘qualified’ to engage with art and create welcoming spaces where everyone can participate.
Personal growth and the therapeutic power of art
Especially when practiced in a warm, inclusive, and genuinely caring community.
OUR BOARD
mariëlle verdijk
is writing, cooking, learning.
mariëlle verdijk has a patterned artistic practice that explores themes of home, hospitality and fostering collective agency. She is an active member of collaborative initiatives such as coffee neighbors @_Take_A_Way and @ook_huis – a house dedicated to practicing neighbourism and learning how to connect through small, everyday gestures.
Gioia Lelli
Venture Builder, Business Developer, Advocate for Female Health Improvement.
Gioia Lelli is dedicated to empowering women from diverse backgrounds by leveraging digital solutions for social impact. With expertise in lead generation, website development, and IT coaching, she helps individuals and organizations create sustainable online success. Passionate about driving global progress, she actively supports initiatives focused on innovation, inclusivity, and female health advocacy.
Susanne Kleijn
Director at Susanne Kleijn BV, Advisor & Project Manager.
Susanne Kleijn is a seasoned business strategist specialising in financial planning, cost management, and project control. With a strong background in business case development and management reporting, she provides expert guidance to organizations navigating complex projects. Her analytical approach and structured decision-making help businesses achieve long-term success.
OUR ACTIVITIES
TEAMBUILDING Workshops
We facilitate creative workshops for corporates and individuals to reignite their creative spark.
Social Impact Projects
We engage communities in need of connection with various creative projects.
Art is Home “Homes”
We offer affordable creative spaces and artist studios to foster creative growth and collaboration.
Art is Home “FRENS” Community
We host free events and workshops for our “FRENS” community, which brings together a diverse group of individuals from all walks of life.
JOIN OUR “FRENS” WHATSAPP COMMUNITY!
An easy way to stay updated and get involved with our latest projects. We post regular updates, event invitations, and volunteer opportunities as they arise.