Feb. 15, 2022

Every year the Rotterdam City Archives and CBK Rotterdam go in search of artists who observe the city and can transform their reflections into drawings: our City Artists! Over the past two years, the City Artists have been capturing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rotterdam. Between lockdowns, the results were shown at the Kunsthal. For this year’s edition we have again chosen a topical theme: gentrification.

In Rotterdam, the subject of gentrification causes a lot of discussion and upheaval. This is because the flipside of renovating and upgrading old neighbourhoods is that people are inevitably forced to move from their familiar surroundings and homes with affordable rent. Crooswijk and Katendrecht are well-known examples of neighbourhoods where this has already happened. 

It is not just about housing, but also about communities and the city’s human face. For example, artists are at risk of losing their studios in former school buildings because these can be transformed into apartment buildings and commercial spaces. And more and more old inner harbours now also have to make way for housing projects. Some Rotterdammers say that they miss the ‘rugged’ atmosphere of the olden days, that their city has become too hip and slick, and that certain people are excluded. In short, many people in Rotterdam are preoccupied with the subject of gentrification, and it causes quite a stir. 

APPLICATION

Would you like to become a City Artist in 2022? Read the conditions here and submit your application before 15 March 2022!

At the end of the year, the drawings will be exhibited at the Kunsthal. After that they will be included in the City Archives where they become part of the Rotterdam Collection.

Funs Funzig Janssen.jpg
Funs 'Funzig' Janssen, Diner date – Rotterdam City Artist 2021

See also

Kunsthal & Cookies
For an optimal website visit, we use functional and analytical cookies. To show videos and advertisements based on your interests, your consent is required for the use of marketing cookies. You can change this at any time. View our cookie statement and privacy statement.
These cookies enables the website to work like it should. These cookies are not optional.
These cookies are set by third parties, like YouTube or Vimeo.
These cookies allow us to measure the usage of the website and improve it accordingly.
These cookies allow our advertising partners to offer content tailormade for you.
When you disable categories, some functionality in the website might not work correctly. It's possible to change your preferences at any time. More information.