VISION

At We Don't Care Foundation, we empower you to not only dream but create, collaborate, and succeed, wherever you are in the world. 

OUR ROOTS

At We Don't Care Foundation we see creativity as something that should grow naturally out of lived experience. Everything we do today is the result of a process that started from within; organically, urgently, and unapologetically.

Before we became a foundation, We Don't Care already existed as a multidisciplinary creative studio, born from a tight group of young makers in Rotterdam. Our drive came from one shared goal: to be so free that every idea we had could be turned into something real. That kind of freedom created the energy and passion to work harder than we ever had before. With no resources or formal backing, we taught ourselves every skill we needed to create independently; music, audiovisual production, clothing, visual arts, branding. Not to become experts in everything, but to have full control over our creative vision. This led to the creation of We Don't Care as a self-run, self-taught creative studio that could move from idea to execution without outside permission. That experience remains at the core of how we operate.

WHY A FOUNDATION?

From early on, we were always surrounded by young people who wanted to develop creatively. We opened our space, organized camps out of our own pocket, and brought them into our real-world projects, offering hands-on learning and opportunities they couldn't find elsewhere. But eventually, we hit a wall. Without structural support, we couldn't continue on our own. Every time the energy faded, we saw the same pattern: talented young people would fall back, disconnected from opportunities and without guidance. That experience made it clear, we needed something sustainable. A structure that could keep supporting these trajectories not just now, but for the future. That's where the foundation came in. Because this is exactly how informal networks work: when they're strong, people grow. When they break down, people fall through the cracks.

THE PROCESS

The shift toward a formal foundation didn't happen overnight, it was a natural next step. As we started operating within the Dutch cultural sector, we found a space where creativity was taken seriously without requiring a traditional education or industry status. The sector's fair practice guidelines and project-based funding models allowed us to grow professionally while staying authentic. It made us realize how important this pathway could be for others like us; young makers who didn't have the right diploma, but definitely had the right talent and drive.

We started involving more young people in our projects and events, giving them real responsibilities, credit, and experience. And we saw the impact: confidence, community, and a clear next step in their creative path. We came to understand just how crucial that first moment is, the one that flips the switch, that makes someone believe in their potential. In our own circle, we had all felt it at some point. But around us, in informal networks and overlooked communities, we saw how many young people never got that spark. Not because they lacked creativity, but because life made it hard to focus on it. Mental health struggles, financial pressure, lack of structure or support, these barriers hold back people who would otherwise be the hardest workers in the room. Many of them are drawn to the creative sector because it's visible, relatable, and culturally powerful. But when that world feels out of reach, the gap becomes painful. Sometimes even dangerous.

That's why we started the foundation. Not because we wanted to become a traditional institution, but because we had no other choice. If we want to change the system, we need to create one. One that makes space for talent, freedom, and care. Especially for those who are often left behind.

THREE MAIN STREAMS

1. Talent Development & Methods We create room for young people to explore their talents and develop their skills, even if they're just starting out. We provide coaching, mentorship, and structure. But we also reflect critically on how talent and passion are defined in the first place. Through documentation and research, we aim to build new ways of thinking about growth and creativity, both personally and collectively. Much of this work is rooted in our early efforts, supporting young people directly from our own space, with our own resources, because we believed in their potential. Today, we continue that mission in a more structured way, ensuring they're not left to figure it out alone.

2. Creative Projects One of the biggest challenges for emerging artists is bringing a creative idea to life. Many important projects never get made because they don't yet have a market, a network, or visible "value." We support music releases, short films, fashion lines, digital art, and more. Not because they're guaranteed to succeed commercially, but because they matter. These projects shape careers, culture, and conversation. Whether it's funding, guidance, or production help, we step in to move things forward.

3. Events & Fundraising As a foundation, we believe in giving back. That means hosting events where everyone benefits, young creatives gain experience and portfolio material by running productions; audiences get access to culture; and resources like food, clothing, or income are redistributed to those in need. From fundraising performances to community givebacks, our events are about real impact and mutual value. We also aim to innovate within the cultural funding space by advocating for more effective, transparent, and inclusive systems. If we want things to change, we have to build better models.

We're open to conversations with funders, municipalities, and partner organizations. But our main focus remains on doing the work, showing what's possible, and staying committed to the people and goals we believe in. We're also unafraid to call out what doesn't work: the gatekeeping, the exclusion, the systems that still favor connections over character. We want a cultural sector that's accessible, honest, and accountable, and we're here to help build it.

That's what We Don't Care means. We don't care what's considered possible, who doubts us, or whether the system lets us in. We build anyway, we build what we believe in.