Stimuleringsfonds

In Utrecht, Piece of Code is building a community where young people aged between 14 and 28 can express their creativity through digital art and technology. Piece of Code, part of Creative Coding Utrecht (CCU), received support in 2024 through the Open Call Platforms for design-based learning issued by the Creative Industries Fund NL in collaboration with the Cultural Participation Fund. By now, the programme is in full swing. Would you like to apply yourself? On 19 August, the call is opening again.

9 July 2025

Creative with technology

Piece of Code continues where regular education stops. 'Digital literacy is often limited to basic skills, and subjects like computer science rarely explore creative applications,' explains programme education coordinator Melissa van der Lingen. 'Instead of focusing on code as a technical skill, we let young people experience how to use technology to tell stories, explore identity or create art.'

They offer a diverse range of options: in the Roboshow, young people work together with Daniel Simu's self-built Acrobot, where they have to programme the robot as a co-actor for a performance. The Wearable Art workshop combines fashion and technology to create wearable artworks that respond to movement. Other workshops let young people create live-coded visuals using the programming language Hydra, which instantly generate colourful, moving patterns on a screen.

Expression

Thanks to their unique range of offerings, Piece of Code reaches young people who feel less drawn to traditional forms of creativity. Digital tools open up new access to expression for them. 'Based on previous projects like ShapeShifters and Art Machines, and signals from our partners, we see that young people who often withdraw find new forms of self-expression in digital making practices,' says Melissa.

To further explore this, a pilot is being started at a school with young people who often withdraw. 'At an individual level, we see these young people blossoming through visual code, electronic jewellery or virtual art,' Melissa explains. 'We hope that they will connect with other young people, build their own creative identity and gain experience in collaborating and presenting.'

Societal impact

In addition to individual development, Piece of Code contributes to social awareness and local connection. During the ShapeShifters winter school, participants explored the possibilities of upcycling and e-waste together with an artist collective. 'With this theme, we create space for critical reflection on the use of technology and its overconsumption,' Melissa explains. 'It is precisely by being creative yourself that this awareness becomes stronger.'

Through showcases at festivals, workshops in libraries and schools, and playgrounds in youth centres, Piece of Code creates new meeting places where young people show their work to friends, family and neighbours. 'This is how we use digital creativity to build self-expression, connection and visibility.'