Art projects and participation
Visual arts play a major role in how we experience our environment. Art connects people with their city and gives a place its own character. That is why art is important for urban culture. Artists work together with residents on new art projects. On this page, intended for residents and artists, you can read more about how you can participate in current and upcoming projects.
Commissioned visual art
The municipality of Zoetermeer has been commissioning professional artists to create artworks for construction projects for decades. Artworks specially designed for the location and especially for the people who use the location. This is how art really becomes by and for the city. There are now approximately 180 artworks in public places in the city. For more information:
Percentage scheme for visual arts in public spaces
In Zoetermeer there is a regulation for art commissions: Percentage regulation Visual art in public space. This regulation ensures that extra money is available for each construction project, to have art designed. By taking an art design into account early in the project, we can ensure that it fits in well with the environment of the building or public area.
Regulation Percentage Scheme for Visual Arts in Public Space
Participation in project groups by residents
In Zoetermeer, residents think about art that will be in the city. For each art assignment, the municipality sets up a temporary project group. Residents, users of the place where the artwork will be and other interested parties from Zoetermeer can register via a call in local media and this art page. This group determines the exact location and the assignment description for the artwork. They select artists for sketch ideas and then choose the idea that will actually be implemented. A project leader and professional advisor guide the project group in this.
What do we expect from members of a project group?
You do not need to have any experience or knowledge in the field of art: everyone can participate. The project group members will receive an explanation of the approach from the project leader. If you participate, it will take you a total of 14 to 16 hours, spread over approximately 1.5 years. The meetings with the project group are usually during the day. If you are unable to attend, you will receive the information by e-mail.
At this time you cannot register for a project group.
Procedure for art projects
For each new assignment, the municipality of Zoetermeer is looking for professional visual artists who do not yet have a work of art in Zoetermeer. For large assignments, you will find the advertisement in the art trade magazine BK-informatie and on this website. For art assignments with a smaller budget, the municipality nominates artists for the project group. Professionally working artists submit a CV and documentation of existing work.
The project group reviews the submitted material and then invites one or more artists to create a sketch idea. One sketch idea is developed into a final design. The project group that supervises the assignment consists of residents and/or users of the location where the artwork is to be placed.
There are currently no assignments for which artists can apply.
