MAMA operates on the conviction that new expressions of art and popular culture, including everything in between, are important to the development of a self conscious cultural identity - however diverse - of the youngest generation in Rotterdam and the Netherlands. By presenting and interpreting this visual culture MAMA not only wishes to reinforce the cultural self confidence of youths, but also to contribute to a deeper understanding of what occupies and motivates the youngest generation. The differentiation of groups, existing side by side in all these subcultures, enables us to use the term 'youth' as a point of departure in order to investigate the palette which forms the city and offer it a broad platform.

Seizing Glocal, MAMA's policy plan for 2009 - 2012 was enthusiastically received by public advisory organs, the Board of Culture and the Rotterdam Council of Art and Culture in 2008. In the plan MAMA not only reflects on its mission and position, but also on the juncture and how its podium relates to this in its programme and projects. Whilst conceiving the programme the analysis of how the current dynamics of our society are characterized by acceleration, globalization and an enormous diversity of developments was a source of inspiration. The process of increase of scale offers space, yet also causes insecurity and fear. A decrease of scale can then offer the necessary sense of security and safety. With a strong emphasis on individual freedom and a choice of possibilities, collectiveness and relationships merely come into being by coincidence and are often more fleeting than durable.

These processes are translated into four themes. Within each theme in the showroom programmes there is room for exhibitions organized around an anchor, "a godmother" m/f; for exhibitions around a historical perspective offering a context, for projects around gadgets and popular media and for solo- and group exhibitions by (young) artists.

The splits in which the individual finds himself, whilst swerving between global and local, between fear and a sense of security, is a central theme in Culture of Darkness - from fear to violence and How Cute - from lovely to gruesome. These are no coincidental anti poles, just like violence and flight behaviour are two complementary reactions to a threatening situation. On a group level there are also two options: to emancipate or be left behind. The theme Black Strata - from hiphop to afrofuturism covers the entire spectrum of emancipated creativity, whilst in the theme Trashiness - from garbage to trash the frayed edge becomes visible, which does not appear to exist but in the meantime leaves the individual, 'the non-participators' behind on the edge of the globalizing world.

Showroom MAMA and its program positions itself as such an anchorage in Rotterdam, 'where the world enters'.