Organizer Information
W139 is an independent art space in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, dedicated to supporting contemporary artistic practices, experimentation, and collective approaches to making and presenting art. Through its W139 hosts… programme, the organization opens its space to a wider range of artists and initiatives than it can accommodate in its regular exhibition programme. The initiative responds to the shortage of affordable spaces and opportunities for artistic experimentation within the cultural sector. The 2027 edition is the third iteration of the programme, following previous editions in 2022 and 2023.
Title & Description
W139 hosts… 2027 — Open Call for Artists, Designers, Collectives, and Initiatives
W139 invites artists, designers, collectives, local initiatives, mediators, and communities to propose projects for W139 hosts… 2027, an eight-week programme running from 26 February to 25 April 2027. The initiative provides a platform for presenting new work, testing ideas, sharing work-in-progress, and engaging with Amsterdam’s artistic community.
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects they consider urgent and relevant to their practice and the wider artistic context. Rather than focusing exclusively on finished artworks, the programme welcomes experimentation, informal presentations, rehearsals, and projects that benefit from audience feedback or collaboration. Participants maintain control over their projects and how they are developed or presented.
Categories
- Visual Art and Installation Art
- Performance and Time-Based Art
- Video Art and Film Screenings
- Sound Art
- Workshops and Participatory Projects
- Experimental and Interdisciplinary Art
- Research-Based and Work-in-Progress Projects
- Gatherings, Rehearsals, and Informal Presentations
- Collective and Community-Based Artistic Practices
Eligibility
The opportunity is open to artists, designers, collectives, local initiatives, mediators, and communities proposing relevant artistic projects. Applicants at different career stages, including emerging and mid-career practitioners, are welcome. The selection process prioritizes the project's relevance, suitability for W139, and potential benefit to the applicant's practice rather than professional seniority.
The published call does not specify a nationality restriction or an age limit. International applicants should review the application requirements and consider the practical implications of participating in person in Amsterdam.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected participants receive access to W139's space for presenting their projects, promotional support, documentation, and a contribution toward material costs. The available contributions are:
- EUR 250 per project for material costs.
- EUR 100 per time-based work, including eligible formats such as performances, screenings, and workshops.
Projects are generally presented for one week, from Wednesday to Sunday. Time-based works may be proposed for shorter periods. The programme offers opportunities for public visibility, professional exchange, audience feedback, and the development of artistic practices. These contributions are intended to support production expenses and should not be interpreted as full project funding. The call does not specify accommodation, travel reimbursement, or a separate cash prize.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 November 2026
- Selection results: By 11 December 2026, at the latest
- Programme dates: 26 February–25 April 2027
- Presentation period: Generally one week, Wednesday–Sunday
- Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–18:00
- Installation: Tuesday, 10:00–16:00
- Dismantling: Monday following the presentation week, 10:00–16:00
Location
W139, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Additional Details
Projects should be ready to install, require minimal production support, and function alongside other projects presented simultaneously. Participants must bring their own equipment and materials. Storage is unavailable, and artists are responsible for cleaning the space and restoring it after use. Any drilling, painting, or wall installation requires prior approval. W139 cannot guarantee protection against damage or theft. Admission is free, with donations encouraged.
Selection is conducted by the W139 team alongside two invited artists. Criteria include artistic relevance, experimentation, autonomy, self-organization, collectivity, and diversity of disciplines and perspectives.