About Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam

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Do you find yourself lost for words at the French bakery? Would you like to explore the ideas of great thinkers from the past? Or has building your own website remained just a dream? Then Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam is here to help. With courses, guided tours, workshops and lectures, we offer opportunities to enrich your knowledge. The key question is: What do you want to learn — online or on location?

Past and Present

Stichting Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam was founded in 1913. The founders had an idealistic goal: to reduce the social disadvantage of the working class compared to the elite. Today’s world naturally requires a different approach. For more than a hundred years, Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam has strengthened the knowledge and skills of curious residents of Amsterdam and the surrounding area by engaging experienced and inspiring teachers. The threshold remains low: everyone aged 18 and older is welcome, regardless of background, age or educational level.

Together

Learning together, sharing knowledge and inspiring one another are the pillars of Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam. Because we want to be accessible to everyone, we offer courses at various locations in the city, such as OBA Oosterdokskade and OBA Javaplein, the St. Nicolaas Lyceum and De Omval in Diemen. Our doors are open to all Amsterdammers and to anyone who wants to explore themselves or the world around them. Since 2020, we have also been offering online courses in our virtual classrooms via Zoom.

What Do You Want to Learn — Online or On Location?

Brush up on your language skills, dive into self‑development, philosophy or photography, or join a guided walk through Amsterdam. Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam has something for everyone. Browse, swipe or click through our website and discover what we can offer you. With Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam, you’ll go further.

Who’s Who?

• Jelle Verwer, executive director
• Aslihan Irez, financial administrator
• Emilia Simion, marketing & sales manager
• Tomas Bleker, head of planning and organisation
• Michelle Brugman, planning and operations coordinator.

Want to join our team? View our vacancies.

Supervisory Board

Stichting Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam follows the Governance Code Cultuur. The Governance Code Cultuur is an instrument for good governance and effective supervision in the cultural sector.

Good governance and supervision are characterised by:

clarity about the governance model and the associated responsibilities; acting with integrity and transparency, in the interests of all stakeholders; expertise in governance and supervision; effective governance and supervision, with accountability; effectiveness in achieving the mission, objectives and efficient use of (public) resources.

The director‑manager of Stichting Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam is responsible for policy: content‑related, financial, and regarding personnel and organisation. The Supervisory Board monitors the director, ensures that the director follows the mission of Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam, and provides solicited and unsolicited advice on policy.

Members of the Supervisory Board

• Jelle Verwer, executive director
• Menno Ong, chairman
• Pieter Sluis, treasurer
• Dieudonné Foko
• Eva van den Broek
• Mohamed Bourik
• Michael Lucassen
• Marinus Pannevis