The Netherlands - The historic Kunstmin Theatre, a cultural landmark in the heart of Dordrecht, has undergone a communication transformation with the installation of Clear-Com's Arcadia Central Station System. The recent upgrade replaces the theatre's outdated intercom system and seamlessly connects its two locations, Schouwburg and Energiehuis, through a unified communication platform.
Kunstmin’s head technician, Bart Meester, comments: “We had been using two different systems for years – an early Clear-Com digital system, FreeSpeak II digital wireless system, combined with an analogue ASL partyline system. While these systems served us well, it was time for a modern solution.”
After careful research and multiple demonstrations, Kunstmin chose Clear-Com’s Arcadia system for its ability to integrate both wired and wireless digital communication in one platform. “The clear sound quality and seamless wireless communication across our venues made Arcadia the obvious choice,” Meester added.
Kunstmin operates across two locations: the Schouwburg theatre and Energiehuis, a multi-functional space used for workshops and rentals. These venues, half a kilometre apart, are now interconnected with fibre optic cables, allowing both sites to share the same intercom system. “We can use our four rooms independently or link them together as one large space, all controlled within the Arcadia system,” Meester explained. “The wireless FreeSpeak II beltpacks enable our team to move freely between the two locations without losing communication, which is crucial given the nature of our work.”
Meester also noted the ease of use of the system for visiting artists and technicians: “Clear-Com’s system is so intuitive that we can confidently hand it over to external users, something that wasn’t always possible with our old setup.”
WG Theatertechniek, in partnership with Ampco Flashlight Sales, installed the Arcadia system at Kunstmin. Ramon van der Zalm from WG Theatertechniek remarked on the theatre’s forward-thinking approach: “The staff at Kunstmin is incredibly knowledgeable and invested in understanding the full capabilities of the system. They are now set for future expansion should they need additional capacity.”
Frans van Houten, product specialist at Ampco Flashlight Sales, adds: “This installation has been a powerful collaboration between Schouwburg Kunstmin, WG Theatertechniek, and Clear-Com. The Arcadia system has proven its strength, and we’re proud to have been part of this successful upgrade.”
