Visit former Volkskrant building
This building on Wibautstraat currently houses artists, mostly visual artists such as painters and sculptors, but also audio and video developers, photographers, etc. The building has been "redeveloped" by the Urban Resort foundation, with support from the municipality of Amsterdam. The aim is to provide affordable workspace for artists in their start-up phase, thus binding them to the city or bringing them in. There is competition from other cities such as Berlin. The afternoon began with lunch on the top floor, well catered for by the catering company that leased the former canteen. Mr Jaap Draaisma, director of Urban Resort , gave a picture of the development of the project and the current organisation in his PowerPoint presentation. This was followed by a tour of the building during which various studios were visited. These are grouped per floor where the tenants work together for the various facilities such as a communal coffee corner, ballotage of new residents, etc. It turned out that some renowned DJs had also established their businesses there (some 70 employees) The building's technical areas were also visited by 20 members as well as the meeting rooms that can be rented by third parties.
Description
The KIVI NIRIA Noord-Holland region is organising a visit to the former Volkskrant building at No 150 Wibautstraat in Amsterdam on Wednesday 14 October. This building currently houses some 200 artists' workshops and studios. The project was set up by the Urban Resort Foundation, with support from the municipality of Amsterdam. With this, the municipality of Amsterdam wants to offer affordable workspaces to these artists in order to be competitive with cities such as Berlin and Rotterdam, which are trying to bring in the "creative class" with lots of cheap workspace.
Due to the number of tour guides available, this visit is limited to 30 people
12.00
aperitif in the Canvas café-restaurant on the top floor of the building, where a fine view can be enjoyed in good weather.
12.30
sandwich lunch
13.30
introduction by ing. Jaap Draaisma, the driving force behind this project. Perhaps similar projects that are still under development will also be discussed. Naturally, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
14.00
guided tour of approximately 1 hour through the building, which will not skip the former management floor and the technical rooms ("the submarine").
Location
Wibautstraat nr 150 in Amsterdam
Organiser
North-Holland region
Name and contact details for information
Contact: ir. J.Barwegen (035-5382492)