‘Kunst in het Witte de Withkwartier’ is an art festival in Rotterdam, taking place from 11th until 13th September, and it will be opening the cultural season of 2015-2016. Manifesting in performance art, visual art, fashion, music, design, photography and video art, the festival has a wide variety of culture on display. Both national and international artists, local heroes, outsiders and new talents are all gathered up to offer the best possible art festival experience.

Although the festival ‘Kunst in het Witte de Withkwartier‘ has been renamed this year, it has been offering great art and bringing together good people annually since 1998. The festival’s central venue has always been the Witte de Withstraat, but this year they have expanded the event’s territory to the surrounding quarter. Therefore, the festival’s name translates into ‘Art in the Witte de With Quarter’, covering not only the main street, but also side streets, squares and public buildings in the area. The decision to expand was made since the festival has hosted large audiences in the previous years with little space to spare. To make it even more engaging, artists and citizens of Rotterdam guide an art expedition around the festival premises in every 15 minutes.

The programme of  ‘Kunst in het Witte de Withkwartier’ is rich in content this year. There is a lot to see and a lot to do. During the opening day, the Dempelprijs will be awarded to the most promising young talents amongst the alumni of Willem de Kooning Academy. Focusing on the artists, the FITAX art exchange fair will offer a space to exhibit their works and swap pieces amongst each other. The organisers have not forgotten the public either, though. There is a preview night on the 11th September with exclusive openings and small-scale events open to all enthusiasts. For the young festival-goers, there is a family programme on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th with workshops and a children’s disco for maximum involvement.

The festival is not only about looking quietly at art. Meet-and-greets between the audience and artist, stand up comedy and parties grant plenty of opportunities for some serious socialisation. Kunstblock, a collaborative organisation between the contemporary art institutions in the Witte de With Quarter, makes the festival possible.

If you want to douse yourself in some fine art, see you in Rotterdam! And best of all, it’s for free!