Autumn at CKE!
We’ve kicked off the cultural year with plenty of energy and lots of new activities. And we’d love to tell you more about them. Get ready for a tour of our creative stops!
- Date
First, a brief flashback to the year’s absolute kick-off: The Opening. Marisa Wouters, amateur arts coordinator: “From creative workshops and performances to a surprising dance crossover; it was all there.” Marisa is clear about the value of the event: “We showed that we’re getting Eindhoven moving, in every conceivable way. And that the talent which eventually ends up on such a large, professional stage starts out on one of our small stages. We look back on this creative kick-off with great satisfaction, having welcomed around 1,000 visitors!”
Monthly clubs, an English-language programme and one-off highlights!
On to the autumn. You’re welcome at Café C for the best activities. Anne-Marijn Burgers, in her role as project leader, is responsible for the programme. She explains: “From now on, there are three regular creative clubs where you’re welcome every month to work independently; it’s both educational and fun. The Sketch Café is for artists of all levels. You’ll want to come to the Scrap Lab if you’re a keen scrapbooker or junk journal maker. And our very first creative club, Draadkracht, has now been running for a year and a half. Here, a regular group meets up every month, and new people regularly join in to knit, crochet or embroider, whilst having a natter and swapping tips.”
She also recommends the new ‘Open Eindje’: “It’s a monthly stage for cabaret and variety acts. Here you can see up-and-coming talent from Eindhoven and performers from the Koningstheater.”
New this year is the English-language programme, which is indispensable for a city like Eindhoven. “This autumn, there’s the Natemah Open Mic evening, where experienced performers and emerging artists share their work with an international audience. And in the ‘Anchored, Drifted’ workshop series, you’ll make a kite as a playful symbol of the experiences of people moving between their home country and the Netherlands.”
Check our calendar for all activities.
Cultural participation: bringing colour to neighbourhoods and communities, and the DARK Halloween Festival
Our colleagues in the participation team are hard at work in Eindhoven’s neighbourhoods and communities, bringing more colour and creativity to these areas. Cultural promoter Lars van Asten looks back: “Together with residents of Buurtschap te Veld, we created new information boards; there was a multicultural neighbourhood party in the Oude Spoorbaan neighbourhood, a musical afternoon for the older residents of the housing complex on Varesepark, and a neighbourhood party on Bloemenplein in the Bloemenbuurt. The beauty of these activities is that they bring people together, broaden their horizons and allow them to put their talents to good use. We always ensure a good match between the neighbourhood’s needs and the creative solutions.”
The biggest event on the October calendar is DARK, our Halloween festival on 31 October. There’ll be a series of rehearsals for actors, crazy, fun and sometimes slightly spooky Halloween activities in the Piazza in the city centre, and a short workshop on horror and Halloween theatre. After DARK, following the DARK event, just like last year, there will be an after-party featuring live music, special performances and surprising contributions from Eindhoven’s cultural and nightlife scenes.
Centre of Expertise for Amateur Arts: activities for clubs
The Centre of Expertise for Amateur Arts also has two exciting events on the agenda: Kunst- en Kennisdag on 14 November and the second Arts and Knowledge Evening on 2 December. Arno ter Burg, amateur arts coordinator and one of the two faces of the centre of expertise: “Both events are aimed at board members of Eindhoven’s recreational arts clubs. Here, we discuss current issues, allow boards to get to know one another and help each other move forward.”
CKE in schools
Of course, our art teachers are also back in full swing in Eindhoven’s schools. Juliëtte Verberk, education coordinator, highlights the following developments: “Schools are increasingly opting to combine after-school programmes with an art teacher in the classroom. This is valuable because it allows children to practise creative thinking even more and boost their imagination. Furthermore, the free museum lessons for Years 5 to 8 are still available. During these lessons, pupils view artworks and create their own at the Van Abbemuseum, under the guidance of one of our specialist teachers.”
Course programme: new developments and autumn offerings
As course programme coordinator, Angelique Leunissen sees exciting things happening in the area of courses: “The new Textile Workshop is a success. Here, course participants learn to crochet, weave, embroider, use a sewing machine and work with patterns. Another course is drawing and painting on the iPad for adults; this is unique and also very popular. We have a fixed core programme, but we’re constantly innovating to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. And I have good news for anyone keen to get started this winter: there are still plenty of courses starting soon.”
Other news
New courses for 2026-2027 are live
Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, there's something for everyone to discover. Sign up and secure your spot for the new season.
New collaboration: Woonstichting ‘thuis
Are you a tenant at ‘thuis? Do you have an idea for a greener, more cultural neighbourhood? CKE will help you flesh out your plan and put it into action.
CKE signs the Circle of Talent Covenant
Op 3 september, samen met vier andere Brabantse kunstorganisaties, hebben we het vernieuwde Circle of Talent Convenant ondertekend.
Halloween Theatre Spectacle
After three successful editions, there’s once again a big and spooky party this year for everyone, starting and ending at CKE. Want to help with the preparations? Join the free workshops! Want to get a free ticket and experience the spectacle? Order now!