Category: Artists

We are very excited to present Para-siting, a new programme that runs parallel to our exhibition programme. Para-siting is our response to the tremendous urgency we saw during W139 hosts… to create space for experimentation, try-outs, and work in progress.

In a political climate that has created an environment of scarcity and competition within the Dutch cultural sector, W139 wants to keep supporting Amsterdam’s artistic ecosystem. This is why, starting from the end of February, we will share our upper floor with makers, collectives, and initiatives from all over the city.

In his book The Parasite, Michel Serres describes how small groups of pests can become important players in public dialogue through the creation of diversity and complexity, vital to human life and thought. During Para-siting, W139 will allow other organisms to take over, providing space for encounters and the exchange of ideas, allowing for a more flexible and rapid response to current or urgent developments.

We are happy to announce the Parasites until June 2025: Remove the Dot, Bring Your Own Book, Espacio Estamos Bien, Absent Academy, and Tempodesert.

We are extremely happy and proud to announce that Farida Sedoc has won the 2024 Amsterdam Art Prize for Work of the Year for People’s Forum at W139!

“People’s Forum  is a symphony of historical and contemporary voices of resistance, community and solidarity. Even in the collective, Sedoc managed to maintain her own voice within the greater whole. When asked whether this work has a ‘direct influence on the development and reach of art in Amsterdam’, as the criterion states, the jury’s answer was a resounding yes. In times of existential uncertainty and unequal distribution of power and resources, People’s Forum shows what the art world can look like.” – Statement from the jury of the Amsterdam Art Prize 

People’s Forum explored the conditions for art as a livelihood and as a vehicle for change. Sedoc started from her own precarious experience as an artist to address new forms of collectivity. Amplifying past and present voices of diasporic and transnational communities, the exhibition brought resistance and civil disobedience to the forefront, and suggested tools for emancipation.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to People’s Forum at W139—including the art market contributors, workshop facilitators, participants, and visitors. Special appreciation goes to Platform BK and Erik de Hart (Heavy Bones). We are also deeply grateful to those who supported the exhibition: Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, Cultuurfonds, Mondriaan Fund, Pictoright Fund, Gieskes-Strijbis Fund, and Oedipus Brewing.

–

An exhibition by Farida Sedoc

Curated by Claudio Ritfeld

W139 Team: Fai Aldhukair, Tomas Adolfs, Nadia Benchagra, Dana Claasen, Levi van Gelder, Dil Ghale, Sam Geer van der Klugt, Margarita Osipian, Claudio Ritfeld, Suze van der Tang, Annette Wolfsberger

Platform BK Team: Harriet Rose Morley, Jeannette Slütter

Support Team: Andre Avelas, Michiel Terpelle (Jizz Taco)

Graphic Design & Spatial Design: Erik de Hart (Heavy Bones)

Our supporters Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, Cultuurfonds, Mondriaan Fund, Pictoright Fund, Gieskes-Strijbis Fund, and Oedipus Brewing

From September 2024 we look for two students or graduates (living in or around Amsterdam) that can join our team as a communications intern or production intern. W139 is a special exhibition venue where we collaborate with artists on new presentations and public programmes. You are therefore close to the ‘fire’, which makes the internship fun and instructive, and you get to know many practices and meet many people.

W139 values diversity within its organisation. People with different backgrounds in study, origin or culture are expressly invited to apply.

Should you be interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter before July 24th 2024 to info@w139.nl with “Production Internship Application” or “Communication Internship Application” in the subject line.

Internship communications (M/F/X)

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a student who wants to gain work experience within the programme for 6 months, for 3 days a week, for which we can offer an internship allowance. We have no preference for fields of study. Previous interns have come from a variety of programmes: from communication studies and philosophy to art academies. We find it valuable when you decide to gain knowledge in an art environment from a non-cultural study. We speak both English and Dutch within our team, with the artists and collaboration partners. It is preferred that you can express yourself well in both languages.

Tasks
Within your internship period, you will collaborate on the communication aspects of exhibitions and events. There are often several campaigns running at the same time, so no two days are the same. We work in a small team in which you will cooperate and think on an equal footing.

The range of tasks includes:

— Updating online platforms: updating website (WordPress), preparing and sending out newsletters (Mailchimp), minor archiving work on website;

— Social media management: updating Instagram, generating content, writing captions, selecting pictures, minor analytics;

— Promotion campaigns: helping with planning and executing promotional campaigns for exhibitions and events, graphic design assistance, printing and distribution PR material, organization, budget management;

— Writing, copyediting and translating: assisting in editing curatorial texts, writing promotional texts for online and offline outings, translating EN-NL or NL-EN (when proficient in both languages);

— In-situ production support during exhibitions and public programme: front-desk, documentation support, audience support, W139 shop, bar coordination;

— Light secretarial duties: Maintaining contact with external partners, organizing meetings, taking minutes, office management (including answering phones, answering/forwarding emails), managing communications agenda, minor archiving work.

A curious and eager-to-learn attitude is important to us, the internship will have more focus in consultation with you on the areas in which you would like to develop or explore. As an intern, we involve you in all processes and divide tasks and duties by mutual agreement. Your working hours will largely be determined by mutual agreement according to your availability and our programme. You may sometimes have to work evenings or be present at weekends.

Intership production (M/F/X)

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a student who wants to gain work experience within the programme for 6 months, for 3 days a week, for which we can offer an internship fee. We have no preference for fields of study. Previous interns have come from a variety of programmes: from communication studies and philosophy to art academies. We find it valuable when you decide to gain knowledge in an art environment from a non-cultural study. We speak both English and Dutch within our team, with the artists and collaboration partners. It is preferred that you can express yourself well in both languages.

Tasks
You will help with everyday tasks in the office, but also stand on the floor, and sometimes at great heights in our 8-metre-high back room. We work in a small organisation where tackling and working together on an equal level is valued. Events are part of the exhibition programme you participate in, such as lectures, film and performance nights or workshops. The aim is for you to learn how to set up, run and complete productions.

The range of tasks includes:

— Coordinating volunteers: recruitment, selection, contact, scheduling, drafting manuals, budget management, organising meetings and coordinating and managing the volunteers during exhibitions;

— Supporting (pre)production of exhibitions and public programme: requesting tenders, production planning, material research, location research, guest list management, procurement of material and technique;

— In-situ production support during exhibitions and public programme: artist handling, audience support, box office and ticketing, bar coordination, catering coordination, runner, pick-ups etc;

— Planning and coordinating art and material transports;

— Light secretarial duties: Organising meetings, taking minutes, office management (including answering phones, answering/forwarding emails, purchasing office materials), (online) shop stocking and selling.

A curious and eager-to-learn attitude is important to us, the internship will have more focus in consultation with you on the areas in which you would like to develop or explore. As an intern, we involve you in all processes and divide tasks and duties by mutual agreement. Your working hours will largely be determined by mutual agreement according to your availability and our programme. You may sometimes have to work evenings or be present at weekends.