Westergas Foundation

Making art and culture more accessible to every Amsterdammer

About Westergas Foundation

Westergas Foundation is committed to making art and culture accessible to every Amsterdammer. As the Cultural Park of Amsterdam, Westergas believes that art and culture must be given space, especially now, when connection, inspiration and new voices matter more than ever. That is why we bring together makers, audiences and partners to make new initiatives possible in and around the park.

With the support of Westergas and its partners, we invest in talent development and work to make our programming accessible to a broader audience, for visitors to experience more, for the neighbourhood to connect, and for talent to grow.

Legacy Art Court in Westerpark. Image: Dusan Jocic, 3X3 Unites

What does the Westergas Foundation do?

Talent Development
Together with our partners, we invest in talent development programmes and offer emerging talent a platform within the Cultural Park. In doing so, we provide not only our venues, but also our knowledge and network.

Accessible Programming
We bring art and culture outdoors, quite literally. In collaboration with partners, we realise freely accessible art and cultural experiences in the outdoor spaces of Cultuurpark Westergas.

In addition, through Tickets for Good, we offer reduced-price tickets to professionals working in healthcare and education.

Neighbourhood Initiatives
Westergas Foundation supports accessible, community-based cultural initiatives that make art and culture more inclusive. Depending on the art form, initiatives can be given a stage within the park.

Every summer, together with the entrepreneurs of Cultuurpark Westergas, we organise a free neighbourhood festival for all ages.

Do you have ideas, initiatives or questions? Get in touch with us.

Contact

“Art and culture are under pressure, while connection, inspiration and new voices are more urgent than ever. As the Cultural Park of Amsterdam, Westergas believes that art and culture should be accessible to everyone, day and night, for makers, for the neighbourhood and for the city. That is why we founded Westergas Foundation, to create space for talent development, to strengthen collaborations, and to give art and cultural projects the support they need to move forward.”

Lisa Klop, Westergas Foundation

PROJECTS 2025

Westergas Foundation offers young collective Krankjorum a stage for their theatre rave

With ONDER CONSTRUCTIE, Westergas Foundation gives the young theatre collective Krankjorum the space to bring their newest project to life. From 30 January to 1 February 2026, De Wester will transform into a raw theatre rave where performance and club culture collide. Thanks to the support of Westergas Foundation, Krankjorum is able to produce at this scale as an emerging collective. Their courage, ambition and contemporary vision on culture align seamlessly with the Foundation’s mission to provide a platform for innovative new talent.

ONDER CONSTRUCTIE is a total experience in which music, light and performance merge in a search for meaning, imperfection and surrender. Krankjorum’s work blurs the boundaries between theatre and nightlife, a perfect match for De Wester and Westergas, where culture comes to life both during the day and at night.

Partnership with Tickets for Good: Celebrating those who care

How do you thank the people who dedicate themselves to others every single day? Westergas Foundation and Tickets for Good are joining forces in a unique partnership. With this special collaboration, we aim to celebrate healthcare and education workers in Amsterdam, offering them a moment of relaxation and inspiration.

Thanks to the support of partners at Cultural Park Westergas, these everyday heroes will have access to heavily discounted or even free tickets for a wide range of cultural experiences. From family performances at Theater De Krakeling to audiovisual art at Fabrique des Lumières, from vibrant parties at Westweelde to Disco Bingo at Pacific, or a leisurely lunch at Bar Kantoor.

An initiative to make appreciation tangible and to make culture more accessible for those who dedicate their time and energy to others every day.

Dorpsfeest Westerpark

The Westerpark is more than just a park; it is the backyard of thousands of Amsterdammers. With the Westerpark Dorpsfeest, we celebrate the neighbourhood and its residents, making art and culture more accessible to everyone. A day full of music, food, sports, and surprises, made possible by entrepreneurs and partners from the park.

New partner
Westerpark Dorpsfeest is an initiative of Westergas Foundation. After a successful first edition, this year we join forces with Stadsdeel West. Thanks to this collaboration, we are expanding to the entire park, accessible, inclusive, and for everyone.

Cultural Park Westergas is like a green oasis in our city. A World of its own, where there’s always something to do from early morning until late at night. That feeling comes together in the Westerpark Dorpsfeest

Legacy Art Court
Westerpark

The Legacy Art Court is a new basketball court and artwork created in collaboration with 3X3 Unites, designed by Amsterdam based artist Ruben Jonker. The unique design was chosen by the residents of the Westerpark and offers not only sporting value but also brings art into the public space. The official opening on 8 May was celebrated in the presence of Olympic 3×3 basketball champion Worthy de Jong and Alderman for Sport Sofyan Mbarki.

Legacy Art Court in het Westerpark. Beeld: Dusan Jocic, 3X3 Unites

FOR AND BY THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
What makes this court special is the strong involvement of the community. Residents were able to vote for their favourite design via the 3X3 UNITES website. The winning design was then painted together with local youth and artist Jonker. The initiative was made possible in part by basketball specialist Nijha, which provided a special golden hoop for the Legacy Art Court through the City of Amsterdam’s Social Return programme.

ART IN PUBLIC SPACE
In collaboration with Stadsdeel West, we are bringing art into public spaces. The Legacy Art Court adds expression and colour to the park. In addition, the Westergas Foundation organises and supports initiatives for and by the neighbourhood, as well as by emerging talent. This perfectly aligns with 3X3 Unites, which empowers young people from Amsterdam-West through the 3X3 Leader Course.

The court is a collaboration between 3X3 Unites and the Westergas Foundation, made possible by Stadsdeel West and with the support of basketball specialist Nijha, which provided a special golden hoop through the City of Amsterdam’s Social Return programme.

Press release

RRFM Academy
Talent development for (upcoming) DJ's

The RRFM (Radio Radio), in collaboration with the Westergas Foundation and supported by the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK), is launching the RRFM Academy, a talent development programme for young people aged 18 to 27 who want to learn DJ’ing or music production. The programme is focused on diversity, with priority given to FLINTA* individuals and people from diverse backgrounds.

The Academy offers three tracks: DJ for beginners, DJ for advanced and music production for beginners. Experienced DJs and producers provide the lessons and participants can choose from masterclasses and community evenings to expand their network and improve their skills. The RRFM Academy offers a tailored learning path at the heart of Amsterdam’s electronic music scene with a focus on talent development, collaboration and strengthening the local music community.

Press release

RRFM Academy Talent Development Programme. Image: Radio Radio

PROJECTS 2024

Dorpsfeest 2024
Free breakfast in the Gashouder for local residents

On a special morning in the iconic Gashouder, over 300 local residents enjoyed a free and extensive breakfast surrounded by art and culture. This unique collaboration between the entrepreneurs of Cultural Park Westergas offered a rich experience, featuring exhibitions by Fabrique des Lumières, World Press Photo, and young talent from Toqueur.

The storytelling corner by Theater De Krakeling, live music from Radio Radio, and a varied selection of food provided by tenants of the site completed the experience. This special morning also marked the official launch of the Westergas Foundation.

Dorpsfeest in the Gashouder, 2024

Community Radio Station
'Westerpark FM' by RRFM

Westerpark FM by RRFM brought radio outdoors for two months, broadcasting live from the picturesque Meterhuisje in the heart of Westergas. With the aim of creating more connection between local residents, park visitors, and the community, the park transformed into a place of meeting, exchange, and creativity. Visitors could join workshops, listen to live broadcasts, and discover new talent.

Westerpark FM offers a fresh perspective on club culture: it strengthens the community, encourages social interaction, and serves as a springboard for emerging artists. A key principle is fair payment for artists, enabling them to sustainably continue their work and passion.

RRFM: Westerpark FM • Margie invites: Two Ex. Beeld: RRFM

The Lichen Line
UNBOUND

In Westerpark, photographer and Prix de Rome winner Elsbeth Diederix brought a special temporary artwork to life: The Lichen Line, UNBOUND. The large pattern of lichens from Amsterdam-West blended seamlessly with nature and played with the tension between order and organic chaos. The work, now part of the Stedelijk Museum’s collection, uniquely connected photography and landscape art. A QR code on site offered visitors deeper insight.

Thousands of visitors from events like ADE, Awakenings, and the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, as well as local residents, discovered this poetic work. In collaboration with Westergas Foundation, free guided tours were organized and the project was featured in publications including Het Parool.

Lichen Line - UNBOUND door Elspeth Diederix. Beeld: UNSEEN

Het Wonderwoud
Nature and Community in Harmony

Het Wonderwoud is a creative project centered around nature and the neighborhood. Local residents found inspiration in the trees and landscape, expressing themselves through art, music, poetry, stories, and theater. Local artists and creators were given a platform to showcase their work and connect with the community. Pazzanistraat 1 at Westergas was temporarily transformed into a vibrant space for exhibitions, performances, and creative workshops.

Visitors could participate themselves, and for children there was a special workshop and a playful tree trail, developed in collaboration with Theater De Krakeling.

Wonderwoud West. Beeld: Theater De Krakeling

Contact, press (inquiries) & more

Contact
Stichting Westergas Foundation
Polonceaukade 9
1014 DA Amsterdam

KVK number: 92877400

Documents
Watch the Westergas Foundation Policy Document here.

Watch the ANBI application form h ere.

Pers
For press inquiries, interviews, images, and more:

press@westergas.nl

Questions or suggestions?
Feel free to contact:

Lisa Klop
lisa@westergas.nl