Background and Mission
Felix Meritis Connecting Cultures continues to express the values of the Enlightenment that led the founders of the Felix Meritis Society, established in 1777, to reflect upon and develop sciences in the context of society. For FMCC, art, culture, philosophy and politics are matters of everyday life.
In 2022 FMCC established a permanent formal partnership with its sister organisations: the Amsterdam Summer University (AMSU), focused on (higher) education, and the Society Felix Meritis (Genootschap Felix Meritis), an international network of artists, intellectuals, cultural entrepreneurs, journalists, and politicians, also to be operating with our new partner European House for Culture (2023). Since then, these three legal bodies are led by one board and one supervisory board mainly operating under the name FMCC.
We support the EU ambition to strengthen European Identity through Education and Culture (Social Summit Gothenburg 2017) by developing knowledge-based projects to address today’s societal challenges, seeking for innovative approaches in academic, citizenship education and arts & heritage practices. Partly with existing partners while looking for new and curious individuals, institutions, politicians, journalists and citizenship educators.
In Memoriam: Frans de Ruiter
Felix Meritis Connecting Cultures (FMCC) deeply mourns the passing of our esteemed board member Frans de Ruiter on 16 July 2025.
Frans was a long-time collaborator of FMCC and the European House for Culture. His unwavering dedication to the role of art and culture in strengthening active citizenship across Europe has left a profound legacy.
With his deep understanding of Europe’s political and cultural dynamics, sharp intellect, wit, sensitivity, and boundless mental energy, Frans was an invaluable presence, not only to FMCC but also to our partners and friends throughout Europe.
We are grateful for his contribution and will dearly miss his wisdom, passion, and enduring commitment.
Board (unremunerated)
Steve Austen is entrepreneur, director MBA Culture, Heritage & Citizenship at Netherlands Business Academy, publicist, lecturer and public speaker.
Linda Bouws is director Metropool Internationale Kunstprojecten, curator of art manifestations, and publicist.
Masja Austen has her own company and extensive experience in financial services for cultural organisations and artists.
Frederike Beltjes is a researcher and editor, with a background in international business, education and legal translation.
Supervisory Board (unremunerated)
Ton van Haaften is professor emeritus at the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics and Dean of the Honours Academy.
Huub van Haare Heijmeijer is owner at Driehaas Beheer B.V. He held banking and managerial positions in Europe and Latin & North America.
Akudo McGee is a political scientist, and advocacy officer at The London Story, implementing human and digital rights advocacy strategy for the Dutch and EU governments.
Honorary Chair
Maarten Meijer has been a notary in Amsterdam since 1992 and has held many international positions, such as Vice-President of the European Affairs Commission of the International Union of Notaries.
ANBI
Stichting Vrienden van Felix Meritis, trade name Felix Meritis Connecting Cultures (FMCC), and Stichting Amsterdam Summer University, trade name Stichting Amsterdam-Maastricht Summer University (AMSU) have both been designated by the tax authorities as a Public Benefit Organisation (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling)
Annual Reports: