In 1998 the massive forced expulsion from 12 of Amsterdam’s cultural centres led to 1,000 artists losing their studios. They left for other cities such as Rotterdam and Berlin. Eva de Klerk, at that time working for a site-specific theatre group, surrounded herself with a group of artists, theatre makers and skaters under the name of “Kinetisch Noord” (Kinetic North of Amsterdam). Collectively, they submitted an innovative plan for the creative redevelopment of the old NDSM – Shipyard in Amsterdam.

This led to an organic development of the shipyard by the artists themselves with a brief to be environmental friendly, creative, diverse, affordable and sustainable. A space was created encompassing studios, theatre stages, an indoor-skate park, a restaurant, meeting places and space for try-outs and performances. This is a ‘casco’ city for some 250 artists with an organization that manages its letting and rentals.

The restoration and subsequent maintenance of the building covering an area of 20,000m2 was an enormous task, including the installation of a new roof. €15 million was required for the mammoth refurbishment project taking in to account fire safety precautions and the creation of ‘casco’ plots using a basic steel and concrete framework.

Eva wrote the concept for the development plan and arranged for a building subsidy of €10 million. The City Government lent the difference to the owners of the shipyard, the District Authority. The artists pay rent to cover the interest charges for this loan. In addition, 120 studios have been financed and built by the occupying artists by their own means to the tune of over €5 million.

In early 2008, Eva took the initiative to acquire ownership of the shipyard. The artists organised themselves in the entrepreneurial association “Future NDSM” for further enhancement of the building and its surrounding area.

See short film NDSM 1945-2006
CopenhagenXvideo (YouTube)
SFUDutchDesign (YouTube)