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Creative facilitator _

Is your team or group ready for the next step? As a creative facilitator, MARNIX strongly believes in the power of creativity to solve problems, spark innovation and strengthen collaboration. His creative sessions are not only inspiring, but also practical and results-oriented. These sessions also create space for reflection, redesign, and shared imagination within educational contexts.

Whether it’s a single session or a series within a development, transition, or change process, it’s all possible.

What MARNIX offers:

  • Creative work sessions for teams, organizations and communities seeking new insights, ideas, or direction and ways to positively reframe social challenges.
  • An approach aligned with open learning environments where experimentation, ownership, and collaboration take center stage. Exactly what’s needed in a future-oriented learning environment.
  • From strategy to day programs, from neighborhood participation to care innovation: MARNIX creates dynamic and enjoyable settings where people dare to think, act and dream.

What makes MARNIX unique:

  • Creativity as a working tool: Not decorative, but essential to reaching the core.
  • Energetic and safe atmosphere: People participate, laugh and think beyond the obvious.
  • Tailored approach: MARNIX adapts to the process while steering toward results.

“As a cultural manager with an economics background, I was slightly intimidated by all the creative minds around me, but MARNIX manages to unlock every brain completely.”

When to call MARNIX:

  • You face a social challenge and need fresh perspectives.
  • You want to gather input or develop ideas with your target group or team.
  • You’re looking for a facilitator who combines structure, playfulness and sharp insight.

From idea to impact, examples from practice:

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF NATURE
GlowCraft Workshop
@ Art Café

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF NATURE
GlowCraft Workshop
@ Art Café

GlowCraft at CrossArts

During the recurring CrossArts Art Café, natural art was created in an experimental GlowCraft workshop. MARNIX actively and cheerfully guided the participants into the fascinating world of plant roots and their fungi.

In addition to an inspiring story about MARNIX’s Urban Wood Web project at Zuylen cemetery, we delved underground together and discovered the hidden consciousness of nature. This consciousness is the ability of nature to experience and perceive, and it is likely the connection to all life around you.

Paired with an unknown partner, participants created an artwork using natural seaweed alginate. Hands-on activities included measuring alginate, mixing, and using a piping bag to create their own artwork on the table. Thick and thin roots, fungal structures, spiderweb-like, and flowing forms emerged.

“After curing, we took the results to a special blackbox. In the dark exhibition space, the roots turned out to form a collective, beautiful glow-in-the-dark network.” _ CrossArts
+ 65

Client:
CrossArts. The five initiators of CrossArts include Brack, Electron, Grote Kerk, Breda Photo, and Stichting Tranzforma (stadsgalerij).

Concept, design and production:
Merel van der Linden & Marnix van de Vijver

SHOUNA & SIMON

GlowCraft at CrossArts _

“We think trees think: that if you give me space, I'll give you space. Shall we help each other? Together we are stronger!”

MAARTJE

GlowCraft at CrossArts _

“I wasn't feeling well the past few weeks. I found a nice companion during the workshop, and suddenly the energy started flowing again. We had a lot of fun, and it felt so familiar to go through the steps together and create something special. I went home full of energy.”

JOOST KLAVERDIJK

GlowCraft at CrossArts _

“After curing, Merel and Marnix took the results to the black box. In the dark exhibition space, the roots turned out to form a joint, beautiful glow-in-the-dark network.”

BRENT & ELISAH

GlowCraft at CrossArts _

“A tree must surely think: I hope I don't end up in an IKEA. And: What are these people doing here!”

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
SDG workshop
PUM-experts Den Haag

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) workshop

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are seventeen goals aimed at making the world a better place for everyone by 2030. These goals were agreed upon by all countries within the United Nations and serve as a global compass for challenges such as poverty, education, (gender) equality, and the climate crisis.

Especially for the experts at PUM (Programme for Broadcast Managers), MARNIX developed a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the workshop, the experts creatively explored how they could contribute to the SDGs through their projects.

PUM is a unique and professional organization based in The Hague. More than 1300 experts from 36 sectors share their knowledge and expertise with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 37 countries worldwide. Together, they strengthen the position of businesses, their suppliers, and related industries in the market.

The SDG workshop was part of the annual PUM day for the experts, a day dedicated to topics important to PUM.
+ 8

Client:
PUM (Programme for Broadcast Managers)

Concept, design and production:
Leonie van de Vijver & Marnix van de Vijver

DOLF

SDG workshop _

“Clear, fast, and inspiring. Spread the word(s).”

ANDRÉ

ELLE

SDG workshop _

“A practical and clear workshop, not too long and not too short.”

JACQUES

SDG workshop _

“The workshop was interactive, which promotes ideas. The SDGs have become more concrete with this workshop, lots of info in a short time. I appreciate it with a 9.”

JORIK

SDG workshop _

“I realized that in the organization, we are already doing more with the SDGs than I thought. I could really do this longer. It gives more time for deepening.”

IRMA

SDG workshop _

“The basic principles were explained, the workshop provided useful handles.”

MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SHINE
Creativity Development Workshop
Kids Climate Experience

Kids Climate Experience

MARNIX developed and produced a creative thinking workshop for a total of 400 primary school students during the Kids Climate Experience. This unique and dynamic recurring event offers a lot of activities related to water and the climate.

In the Camp Waste, children from grades 7 and 8 delve into the world of litter. They are challenged to prevent litter in their own neighborhood in a positive and enjoyable way. This involves making the route from home to school cleaner and fresher by designing a funny and creative traffic sign.

The main goal of the workshop was to discover that you can positively contribute to a societal challenge. An hour and a half, in parallel, full of action, in one very compact space. Three days in a row. In short: a significant challenge. The workshops, which ignited creative thinking and doing, scored well in terms of content and humor. Using humor to remind people not to litter and to keep everything clean proves to be effective.

The kids were supported by a creative coach and an improvisational actor. This combination brought dynamism and fun, essential when unleashing creativity.
+ 30

Client:
Municipality of Breda
Water Board Brabantse Delta

Idea:
Karlijn Muller (Nieuwe Veste) & Marnix van de Vijver


ROMANA BUIJS

Owner of De Bedrijfsbrandweer _

“Marnix is truly a creative powerhouse! He uses his knowledge to contribute to a better world. He enables people to take new perspectives on social issues. I had the opportunity to work with him for the Kids Climate Experience. Everything was well organized and prepared, and where things went differently than expected, Marnix knew how to resolve it. Hopefully, we can collaborate again in the future.”

LEAVE THE BEATEN TRACK
Creative Session
Province of North Brabant

Creative Session Province of North Brabant

How can the province of North Brabant encourage colleagues to use creativity in their work? Under the guidance of MARNIX, a diverse group of keepers of the Law on the Preservation of Creativity and civil servants from the province of North Brabant addressed this question.

One of the powerful pieces of advice that emerged was: “Don’t talk, but pirate.” This meant creating an environment in which employees have the freedom to show courage. This includes ‘downtime for daydreaming,’ an inspiring work environment, and surprising interventions to challenge creativity. The idea was born to promote a work culture where employees feel free to think outside the box and embrace innovative ideas.

After an intensive session of creative brainstorming, alternated with theater exercises, it became clear that it is crucial not only to provide opportunities for creativity but also to nurture a culture that encourages experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking.

A valuable list of good and usable ideas was tested in the COCD-box®. This is a selection method to reduce the large number of options from divergence to a manageable number. It is a way to bring structure, relief, and color to the chaos of ideas.

The key to success turned out to lie in embracing playfulness and promoting a work environment where innovation thrives.
+ 5

Client:
BrabantNEXT, part of the province of North Brabant

Concept, design and production:
Marnix van de Vijver

Special thanks:
Esther Hartzema

LAW ON THE PRESERVATION OF CREATIVITY

Think Tank Session, North Brabant Province _

"Law-bearer” Marnix van de Vijver led the session very commendably. Based on design thinking, he challenged the participants to think about how the province can entice employees to better utilize their creative skills. The group literally and figuratively got in motion and, after four hours of work, delivered concrete, useful advice that the province can work with. Thank you for your unpaid commitment, Marnix!"

AGRI MEETS DESIGN
Aardbeienkwekerij van Aert
Foodlab

FoodLab Horticultural Support Facilities

For several months, a group of strawberry growers, suppliers, and designers collaborated to explore the possibilities and challenges of horticultural support facilities in FoodLab Horticultural Support Facilities.

The result was a series of diverse concepts, each with significant potential for impact. “MARNIX seeks to bring the relationship between the consumer and the grower close to home. By making the grower a host, the farm can become a beautiful place to build relationships with neighbors. MARNIX incorporates the theory of the experience economy and combines the most attractive values. This turns the farm into a place where people enjoy coming and gather information.” _ REWIN

The FoodLab is an idea generator to address the challenges around unattractive but useful horticultural support facilities and to turn opportunities into reality.

MARNIX collaborated with three multidisciplinary designers on the overarching concept “De Koning” (The King). From this concept, four products with a strong narrative were developed. By joining forces there was room for reflection and deepening, making the products stronger in their execution.

The presented product “Op audiëntie” stimulates the senses and triggers conversation. Discover the ‘why’ of horticultural support facilities and feel welcome!
+ 7

Client:
Kunstloc Brabant, Gemeente Breda, REWIN, ZLTO & Fruitport West-Brabant.

Designers:
Christien Meindertsma, Fides Lapidaire, Jord den Hollander, Lieke Frielink, Mitch van Veldhoven, Rosa van der Kamp & Marnix van de Vijver.

Growers:
Erik Peeters, Jan van Meer, Mark van Aert, Niels Huismans, Richard Antonissen & Stef Buiks.

Suppliers:
Sebastiaan Smeur (Meteor Systems) & Twan van den Brand (CLTV).

MARNIX

Imagineer _

"Research shows that a good conversation opens doors to understanding. However, you must start a conversation with each other. As a grower, you need tools like breadcrumbs on the breadcrumb trail to change and build a sustainable relationship."

GEERT VAN DE WOUW

Program Manager Creative Services REWIN _

"The FoodLab is fundamentally about connecting experiential worlds. ... Growers tell us that the questions from designers have surprised them and help them look at their business from a different perspective. Designers had an image in mind when they started this process, and that image is now enriched with a lot of knowledge and wonders."

ERIK

Strawberry Grower for Hoogstraten _

"I am a third-generation strawberry grower. My father finds it wonderful to see how the sector has changed."

GET RID OF THE FIXED MINDSET
A workshop for creators.
SintLucas PRO

Get Rid of The Fixed Mindset

In the workshop ‘Get rid of the fixed mindset,’ we explore new possibilities, alternative paths, different perspectives, and, above all, a fresh outlook to achieve a specific goal. You harness your creativity and that of others more effectively, leading to innovative solutions.

A customized two-day workshop was developed for a group of motivated students from SintLucas PRO. It was a harmonious blend of theory, inspiration, and practice, evident from the numerous positive responses from the students.

The ‘Get rid of the fixed mindset’ workshop is a journey of discovery, providing new insights and strengthening you within your creative work.

Students are challenged to step out of their comfort zone, broaden their perspectives, and progress further by breaking free from established patterns: get rid of the fixed mindset. It puts their current way of working in a surprising new perspective.
+ 16

Client:
SintLucas

Concept & execution:
Tobias Baeten & Marnix van de Vijver

SINTLUCAS PRO

Brenda _

"Valuable addition in the current time. Trying to create a broader mindset. Interesting field, should have been 4 lessons. THNX!"

8.5

Rating _

"The students rated the workshop with an average grade of 8.5."

VAN BEPERKING NAAR VERSTERKING
Landelijke Zorghackathon
Team Amarant Groep

National Healthcare Hackathon

The care sector is in motion, facing a significant shortage of personnel, and technology is advancing in society. This calls for action! Action to put the disability sector on the map, establish new connections, and improve overall treatment of mental disability.

30 Healthcare organizations from across the Netherlands are simultaneously engaging intensively in “hacking” a problem. Amarant Group’s issue is: “How can clients utilize their strengths for themselves and others?” The question arises from the clients themselves.

During the Hackathon, MARNIX is part of ‘Team Amarant Group’ for a week as an Imagineer. The team consists a mix of healthcare professionals, clients, and the business sector.

Solution: Clients are often judged based on their limitations rather than their talents. Many are seeking more appreciation and equality. Team Amarant Group has developed the TDS platform for this purpose: the Talent Discovery Stage.

Imagineering is the engineering of imagination. “The ultimate imagining is to collectively create concepts that lead to change, to innovation. Experiences that positively influence human behavior, making a change sustainable, and transforming the world.” – Angelica van Dam, Imagineering lecturer at BUas Breda.
+ 14

Client:
Innovation agency Imagine, part of Amarant Group

I.s.m.:
Innovation agency Imagine _
Rob van Uden, Patrick Gutlich en Pien van Dijk, Malu Bekers & Wouter Hekkenberg.

Handpicked Agencies _
Sjoerd van Oosten & Samet Yilmaz

We could count on support from Woodworks Breda, Artenzo Breda, ALPHA letterstudio, OpMaat, Groenzorg & Servicepunt Medezeggenschap.

LINIEMEETING SOUTHERN WATER LINE
Creative session
Spatial Challenges & Ambitions

Future Landscape Workshop

MARNIX facilitated an inspiring session during the national Zuiderwaterlinie Liniemeeting. Participants ranged from municipal officials (Communications, Tourism, Landscape, Heritage) to experts from Staatsbosbeheer, water boards, heritage associations, entrepreneurs, volunteers and other stakeholders.

Together, they explored the central question: How can we connect the heritage of the Zuiderwaterlinie with current challenges in landscape, climate, spatial planning and the leisure economy?

By combining imagery, storytelling and personal associations, the group uncovered fresh perspectives beyond the familiar paths. The session blended content-rich inspiration with dialogue, imagination and creative methods, linking the past to both personal and collective future challenges. Contributions from each participant’s expertise sparked surprising visions for the Linie, showing that heritage is not only worth preserving, but can also be a powerful driver of collaboration, innovation and sustainable regional development.
+ 3

Client:
Host City Breda Municipality

In collaboration with:
Merel van der Linden

SNAPSHOT

An experience from the session _

"A beautiful moment during the session: a small group of three municipal officials and one artist decided to set aside all policy ambitions for a while and approach the assignment purely from the perspective of art. What happens when you look only through the lens of imagination, of the maker? It created space, depth, and unexpected connections, exactly what this session was meant to achieve."

IMAGINATION CONNECTS
New direction, new policy plan.
Hand-out

New direction Nieuwe Veste

MARNIX is closely involved in the new direction (policy plan and the implementation) of the largest cultural organization in Breda. This organization connects the people of Breda with language, art, creativityand each other. In doing so, they help enrich and improve the lives of the people of Breda. A lifelong commitment.

With his open-minded approach, MARNIX creates space for opportunities and ideas. Specifically, he was able to untangle knots and overcome obstacles by acting as a strategic illustrator in and around creative sessions, thereby giving a face to the strategic document “Verbeelding Verbindt” (Imagination Connects).

Within organizations, there is often a struggle over the direction to take. There are diverse ideas and various studies. What should the future scenario look like?

Employees of Nieuwe Veste discovered the value of creativity when MARNIX started sketching without being asked and visualized everything in a ‘talking board’. The visualization provided new insights, creating room for fresh ideas about the course to be taken.
+ 2

Client:
Nieuwe Veste

In collaboration with:
Nieuwe Veste
Think Yellow

GERTJAN ENDEDIJK

Director-Manager, Nieuwe Veste Foundation _

"I got to know Marnix as a precise and attentive innovator. Marnix possesses a combination of competences that is unique and valuable. ... Marnix can visualize discussions, policy themes, challenging trajectories, and developments in such a way that not only does it become clearer what we are doing and what challenges we face, but also what the (logical) next steps are that fit best. With him, you can simultaneously write and shape a policy plan, inspiring the writing process. ... Marnix will never be the first to speak; he always listens first, observes, lets it sink in, and then responds or provides feedback. It may seem slow, but in fact, it's rapid. You notice this in his next step, where an integration has already taken place of what has been said, thought, and sometimes not even noticed."
THE STORY BEHIND MARNIX?
Read it here!