airWG is an international Artist in Residence programme organized by atelierWG, a community of over 120 artists whose studios are located in two buildings of the former Wilhelmina Gasthuis hospital. Founded in 2015, airWG functions as a laboratory and platform for in-depth artistic development. The programme welcomes a broad range of art projects including interdisciplinary, curatorial and research-oriented ones. It provides artists with time and space to reflect, experiment, create and share their projects.

Current coordinator: Wilma Kuijvenhoven

LOCATION

Construction of the Wilhelmina Gasthuis hospital, named after the reigning queen at the time, began in 1891. Each medical specialty was given its own pavilion, including the women's clinic (pavilion 18) and the eye clinic (pavilion 19). After the hospital relocated in 1984, the pavilions 18 and 19 became studios for artists. The WG compound is located in the heart of Amsterdam, within easy reach of museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, shops, restaurants and parks. Over more than 40 years, it has been home to artists, architects, designers, writers and musicians who have shaped and preserved its unique character. The community organizes a variety of art activities, including an annual open studio event, exhibitions at puntWG and the residency programme airWG.

Watch a video about the WG site and its history here. 

PROJECT SPACE

Since 2006, the atelierWG foundation has operated its own project space puntWG. Like airWG, it is located in the former women’s clinic of the hospital. puntWG hosts a diverse programme of exhibitions, performances, concerts, lectures, films and discussions, and has become an essential part of Amsterdam’s art life. The volunteer teams of airWG and puntWG collaborate closely: puntWG hosts each resident’s end-of-residency-show, with support and feedback from the airWG team. In the process, they also rely on the flexible, hands-on approach and the creativity and problem-solving skills of the exhibiting artists.