Can graphic design truly be a medium of 'protest' in 2026? This is one of the fundamental questions the design community asks itself. Unfortunately, sometimes this question turns into a cry for help.

This is the case with Beton T. A temporary project in the Koningin Wilhelminalaan square in Utrecht, a 3,600 m² space right next to Vechtclub XL, where people and groups from the city have the freedom to organize a highly diverse program: from skateboarding, multidisciplinary performances, outdoor lectures, musical shows, open-air film screenings, concerts, to art exhibitions.

This cultural hub, which welcomes over 80,000 visitors a year and operates without structural subsidies, does not yet know whether it will be able to continue existing after this summer. Its temporary permit expires in early 2027, and no decision has been made yet regarding its renewal.

'The extraordinary thing is that our survival does not depend on the number of visitors or our finances,' says Tanno Witkamp, marketing and programming manager at Beton-T. 'On the contrary, we have grown enormously in recent years. We notice a growing need for places where culture, music, sports, and social interaction meet.' And it is precisely here that the creative community has expressed its solidarity.

Previously, residents living near Beton-T reported experiencing noise pollution coming from the event area, to the point of launching a petition. Alderman Eva Oosters stated earlier this year that the residents' concerns are known to the municipality and that discussions have taken place with both parties. One of these conversations revealed that Beton-T has already taken several measures. For example, a soundproofing wall has been installed, and the position of the speakers has been adjusted. Oosters also stated that several measurements showed that noise levels remain within the established limits. 'For instance, noise measurements were taken at five out of six events last year, and in all of these measurements, the maximum allowed limit was respected,' stated the alderman.

Tanno also adds: 'In Utrecht, we have one of the largest art academies in Europe, so there must be spaces where students and emerging artists can grow. Without clarity regarding our permit, it is incredibly difficult to make new plans or long-term investments. This hinders not only our organization, but also the cultural opportunities we can offer to the city.'

Through the creation, printing, and posting of 'Beton Stay'-themed posters around the city, the intention is clear: not to let a multicultural, multidisciplinary hub die—a place where culture, music, sports, and social interaction meet.

Can graphic design actually be a medium of protest in 2026? Can it truly save places?
Perhaps not. A poster alone cannot directly change a municipal management directive, but it holds the great power to make dissent visible and foster a sense of belonging.

Campaigns like 'Beton Stay' transform a bureaucratic issue into an identity cause for the entire city.

© 2026 Arie van Ommeren, Quinten Swagerman, Studio Johnson, Teri Lois - all rights reserved.