by THOLEditor | Nov 15, 2026 | Business, Features
Based on a community story contributed by Sara, founder of SaraGlow Art. Edited by The Hague Online.
For Sara, starting a creative business began with something she enjoyed doing in her spare time. While working in childcare, she discovered diamond painting and found that concentrating on a picture, one small piece at a time, brought her a sense of calm.
The hobby involves placing tiny coloured pieces onto a prepared canvas. Sara enjoyed watching a design gradually come together and began to wonder whether the activity could become something more.
That question became the starting point for SaraGlow Art, the business she is now building from The Hague.
Creating a style of her own
Sara’s visual inspiration comes from Middle Eastern decorative styles, rich colours and detailed patterns. Deep blues, emerald green and gold feature in the designs she is developing.
Artificial intelligence is one of the tools she uses in that process. Sara says she develops the concepts and chooses the colours, shapes, details and overall appearance, using AI to help explore and visualise her ideas.
The first collection, the Royal Gem Collection, takes gemstones as its starting point. Midnight Sapphire was the first design introduced. Sara is preparing a sample and photographs for Emerald Majesty, with two further designs in development.
Building from the city she calls home
The Hague is more than a business address for Sara. She was born and raised here, went to school in the city and has studied, worked, completed internships and volunteered in the local area.
She describes herself as a true Hagenees, complete with a recognisable Hague accent. Starting a business in the place she has always called home gives the project a personal connection.
As well as developing designs, Sara has been learning about packaging, branding, product preparation and running an online shop. Her ambition is to grow beyond the Netherlands, but the work is happening step by step.
From personal enjoyment to a business
Sara’s experience of diamond painting is personal: she found it relaxing and enjoyable, and hopes other people will enjoy the process too. She hopes to share that enjoyment through the designs she is developing.
The business is still at an early stage, as Sara moves from a familiar job and a spare-time interest towards learning how to build something independently.
Find SaraGlow Art on Etsy.
Image supplied by SaraGlow Art and reproduced with permission.
by THOLEditor | Nov 14, 2026 | News
The Hague is reporting a €14 million funding shortfall for homelessness services, as major Dutch municipalities call on the national government to provide at least €100 million more each year for emergency accommodation and support.
The appeal comes from the four largest cities, known as the G4, together with the G40 network of cities. In a press release issued ahead of the parliamentary debate on 11 November, the municipality said national funding was failing to keep pace with the cost of providing shelter.
The reported shortfall in The Hague compares with €18.5 million in Amsterdam, €15 million in Rotterdam and €4.9 million in Utrecht. These figures are those provided in the municipal announcement.
Municipalities provide maatschappelijke opvang: temporary accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness. The cities say they are having to cover substantial additional costs from their own budgets.
The Hague’s alderman responsible for homelessness services, Arjen Dubbelaar, called for the national government to provide funding that matches the responsibilities placed on municipalities.
The cities support the Wonen Eerst, or Housing First, approach, which prioritises access to a safe, stable home. However, they argue that housing plans will take years to deliver results and that adequate shelter is needed in the meantime.
The appeal highlights the pressure on local services while longer-term housing solutions are developed. This report covers the municipalities’ funding request; it does not report an outcome from the parliamentary debate.
Source: gemeente Den Haag press release, 11 November 2026. Translated and adapted into English by The Hague Online.
Photo: Jurriaan Brobbel / gemeente Den Haag.
by THOLEditor | Nov 13, 2026 | News
Kunstmuseum Den Haag has received approval for €2.5 million in preparatory funding to develop plans for renovating and improving the sustainability of its historic Berlage building. The museum says it will remain open until at least 2030.
The city council has approved two credits covering further work on renovation options and the future storage of the art collection. This moves the project forward from the proposals reported by The Hague Online in October.
The funding is for preparation and investigation. It does not represent approval of the full renovation programme. The council is expected to decide on the work to be carried out in spring 2027, once the options have been developed.
The studies will examine the building’s technical requirements, sustainability and visitor facilities, including access for people with disabilities and larger groups such as school classes. Improvements to the historic garden and museum operations are also among the options.
Separate work will consider how to store the collection safely in future, including the possibility of a new depot, the storage space for artworks that are not on display. The museum will also develop a plan to keep its collection visible during a future closure.
For visitors planning an outing, the immediate message is that the museum remains open. Any closure would begin in 2030 at the earliest, according to the announcement.
The municipality owns both the building and the collection. Kunstmuseum manages the collection, including the world’s largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian, and presents exhibitions and activities for the public.
Source: Kunstmuseum Den Haag press release, 13 November 2026. Translated and adapted into English by The Hague Online.
by THOLEditor | Nov 12, 2026 | News
Lukas Vonk, Evelien Jansen and Bibi Roos have won the 2026 Piket Art Prizes, announced at Theater aan het Spui on Monday 9 November. Illustrator Eline van Dam, known as Zeloot, received the Piket Jury Prize.
The annual awards support promising professional artists with a connection to The Hague. Vonk won in the painting category, Jansen in dance and Roos in theatre. Each of the three category winners receives €6,000 and a Hamer award created by artist Joep van Lieshout.
The jury highlighted Vonk’s exploration of the body through media including sculpture, video and sound; Jansen’s commitment and presence as a dancer and performer; and Roos’s writing and performances as her alter ego Funny Bergman.
The jury prize recognises a person or organisation for a cultural contribution in the Hague region, particularly one that benefits younger artists. Zeloot’s illustration work combines a clear visual language with social engagement.
The other nominees also received support: €3,000 and a Hamer award each. The prizes have been awarded since 2014 in memory of art lover Frederik Hendrik Piket.
Read more about the Piket Art Prizes (in Dutch)
Source: Piket Kunstprijzen, press release/update dated 09/11/2026.
Photo: De Schaapjesfabriek.
by THOLEditor | Nov 11, 2026 | Highlighted Events
The Hague Justice Week takes place from 16 to 20 November 2026, bringing together organisations, professionals, students and the wider public to explore peace and justice through law.
Inspired by the International Court of Justice’s 80th anniversary, the programme looks at the future of international cooperation. Talks, discussions, cultural activities and networking take place across multiple venues and online.
Most activities are in English. Registration, access arrangements and online participation vary by event, so use the full programme to choose a session and book where required.
The week is an initiative of the Municipality of The Hague and The Hague Humanity Hub, working with partner organisations.
Dates: 16–20 November 2026
Location: Various venues in The Hague and online
Explore the programme and registration
Image: The Hague Humanity Hub / The Hague Justice Week.
