Dutch Design Foundation
Dutch Design Foundation
Design the future. Today.
The Netherlands has always built what others thought impossible. The Afsluitdijk. The Delta Works. Laminate made from roadside grass. Fairly produced phones. Sleeping-bag coats for homeless people. Behind every groundbreaking innovation was a design question and someone who tackled it with optimism.
That is no coincidence. From De Stijl to Droog Design, from Hella Jongerius to Borre Akkersdijk, Dutch designers share a way of thinking that questions, challenges, imagines and changes systems. That is how they make the world more beautiful, smarter and more humane.
Design is decision-making. That is why Dutch Design Foundation makes sure design has a structural voice at the table. Whether it concerns public safety or circular farming, a large part of a product's or system's impact is determined in the concept phase.
We believe in the power of design
Dutch Design Foundation puts imagination to work, connecting business, policy, science, design and society.
Together with partners from business, policy and science, we build unexpected coalitions.
For more than 25 years we have brought together a unique network of about 10,000 designers, approximately 230,000 visitors and innovators in business and policy through events such as Dutch Design Week, Dutch Design Awards, coalitions and programmes like Un/School. We facilitate the unexpected connection and the concrete follow-up to go from concept to realisation. Inspiring for today, setting the tone for the next generation.
It is truly very inspiring to bring together different ways of thinking when solving major problems.
Foundation
Dutch Design Foundation is a non-profit foundation with a board and an independent Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board and the Director conduct their tasks in accordance with the Cultural Governance Code.
Supervisory Board
The Board reports to the Supervisory Board (SB) of Dutch Design Foundation. The SB meets approximately four times per year, and its members contribute independently and critically to decision-making. Supervisory Board members are appointed for 4 years and can be reappointed once (for an additional 4-year period). The Board currently consists of 5 members:
Frank van Es (Chair) – Appointed: January 2024, first term ends January 2028
Marleen Crooijmans – Appointed: December 2020, second term ends December 2028
Marièlle Beek – Appointed: December 2020, second term ends December 2028
Oscar Kneppers – Appointed: January 2023, first term ends January 2027
Kim Dingler – Appointed: January 2024, first term ends January 2028
Board
The Board is responsible for the daily operations of the organisation, as well as for financial management and the implementation of policies and strategy. The Board of Dutch Design Foundation is formed by Director Willem van Zeeland.
Advisory Board
The foundation has the option to establish advisory councils. An Advisory Council for Dutch Design Week (DDW) has been established, which currently includes 21 designers from various disciplines. The DDW Advisory Council meets approximately twice a year. Council members have the opportunity to advise the board, including outside of meetings. Members of the DDW Advisory Council perform their tasks entirely on a voluntary basis.
Members of the Dutch Design Week Advisory Council: Zuzanna Skalska, Peter Kentie, Caroline Hummels, Bart Ahsmann, Piet Hein Eek, Rob van Hattum, Maarten Hendriks, Tjeerd Veenhoven, Daniel Neugebauer, Rob Almering, Lonny van Ryswyck, Leonne Cuppen, Jorge Alves Lino, Remco van der Craats, Bert Hagendoorn, Raffaela Vandermuhlen, Sjoerd Hoyinck, Jelle Mastenbroek, Thomas Widdershoven.
Code Endorsement
Dutch Design Foundation endorses the Cultural Governance Code, Code of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Fair Practice Code.
Dutch Design Foundation builds unexpected coalitions
Dutch Design Foundation puts imagination to work, connecting design, business, policy, science and society through programmes and activities such as Dutch Design Week (DDW), Dutch Design Awards (DDA) and PONT.