The SUSTainable Artistic INnovation (SUSTAIN) project is a collaborative project between The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Avans University of Applied Sciences. The research was conducted by Jacco van Uden (professor Change Management) and Kim Caarls of The Hague University of Applied Sciences; and Godelieve Spaas (professor Common Economics), Olga Mink and Marga Rotteveel of Avans University of Applied Sciences. We also worked closely with six Spacemakers: Art Partner, Circus Andersom, Future of Work, In4Art, V2_ and Waag.

SUSTAIN explores the role of Spacemakers: parties that want to contribute to systemic change by creating space for art in unusual places, such as within the economy, science or technology. The aim: to use art to work towards a sustainable and just society - ecologically, economically and socially.

Expectations of what art can do in spheres other than the art world itself are sometimes high. For example, when we claim that art can be the engine of innovation and reflection. But experience shows: art is no panacea. Not everyone sees or recognises the added value of art in transition issues. And when art does come to the table, we do not always manage to make the disruption work.

Artists explore the unknown, question what seems logical and connect seemingly disparate elements. It is precisely these qualities that are key to achieving systemic transitions. However, it is not always easy to access the spaces where artists want to make an impact.

With this practical research, SUSTAIN offers more insight into the exact role, method and added value of Spacemakers in the transition to be made. The research and results contribute to the further professionalisation of this emerging sector.

Just how Spacemaking practices are shaped by different organisations was examined:
- Why do Spacemakers do what they do?
- What do they see as the promise of art outside the arts?
- How do they specifically go about making space for art?
- How do Spacemakers deal with the tensions that arise when art gets involved in non-art matters and vice versa?
- How do Spacemakers deal with the complicated question of the added value or impact of art and of themselves as space makers?

SUSTAIN has produced two key outcomes:

1) The Spacemaker Toolbox, a practical tool for Spacemakers to explore and professionalise their work internally. It involves four models with instructions for use.

2) The Spacemaker Stories, a series of cahiers in which we look at Spacemaker practice from a distance and help Spacemakers articulate more clearly what they do, why they do it, how they do it and what value they create. The five cahiers are: The Calling (38 p.), The Promise of Art (39 p.), The Tension (49 p.), The Help (44 p.) and The Gift (30 p.).