SHEBANG is a nomadic place for development aimed at creative makers and thinkers. Led by a guest curator, they research and comment on local and global developments from the fields of visual arts, performing arts and heritage.

SHEBANG is supported by Stadsdeel Zuidoost.

Mission and vision

SHEBANG is initiated by Bijlmer Parktheater, CBK Zuidoost and Imagine IC. In collaboration with its founders, SHEBANG works towards a higher density for culture in the district. In addition, they see future perspectives in the unbundling and mixing of artistic and non-artistic disciplines and with their programme they’re catering a hybrid audience. SHEBANG works from a shared need to understand today's society and shape that of the future together.

Founding mothers

CBK Zuidoost

CBK Zuidoost is a presentation institute bringing intercultural, contemporary art to its audience in an accessible way. Through exhibitions, art loans, education programmes, an artist-in-residency programme, workshops, public artworks, collaborations with other cultural partners and other diverse projects, CBK Southeast offers a broad cultural palette. The organization has been actively present in the Bijlmer for over 30 years.

Bijlmer Parktheater

Bijlmer Parktheater is a place where new stories are made, new makers are able to develop artistically, and audiences feel right at home. The Bijlmer Parktheater is a lively, intimate and welcoming theater with a unique way of programming, embracing different identities, traditions, cultures and all the different forms of cultural expression in which people find meaning in all their cultural diversity. The theater challenges visitors, participants, artists and makers to imagine the future together.

Imagine IC

Through participatory heritage work, Imagine IC aims to discuss and improve current social relations. She does so by being present as an open floor where very different people tune in with each other to negotiate the definition of the heritage of their own time. Together they gain insight into each other’s positions and aspirations. Because heritage is formed by those tangible and intangible things that we feel emotionally attached to; it is an essential topic of conversation between people with diverse beliefs and interests. Imagine IC shares her expertise with partners in the heritage field and works with them on a democratic heritage methodology.

Team

  • Esther Meijer

    PR and network

    Esther Meijer is a conceptual artist and designer with a versatile track record in the cultural and creative sector. Innovation, connecting and collaborating is at the heart of both her autonomous professional practice, and her freelance work. Since 2010 Meijer runs the ongoing, interdisciplinary and socio-critical project Nieuw Jurk. She initiates art projects in order to create space for and connect various subcultures and communities. A spearhead of her work is the exchange of inspiration with a diverse audience on social or cultural issues, which she visualises through various art disciplines. For SHEBANG, Meijer handles PR and communications, and with a very diverse network from her independent practice, she acts as a connector between the guest curators and creative scene in Amsterdam Southeast and beyond.

  • Jeroen Beker

    Place maker and business manager

    Jeroen Beker has been living in Amsterdam Southeast since 1988 and has been involved both professionally and as a resident in several cultural and societal initiatives and developments in this area. His current involvement als a place maker at SHEBANG gives him the opportunity to use his experience, network and passion in reaching all of the initiative’s goals. He is a creative developer with a hands-on mentality and carries a lot of experience working area-specifically and integrally. He has created successful and sustainable coalitions and facilitated co-creation. His focus is being involved in projects in Amsterdam Southeast using arts and culture in connection to urban development.

Bijlmer West

SHEBANG is a nomadic artistic development place in Bijlmer West, the former Amstel III area, near Bullewijk station. For Issue I: Radical Space, Prospect 11, a creative breeding ground and workplace for entrepreneurs, formed the first base. The three Issues that followed: Speculate or Die Tryin', Institute of Trans Pleasure Trans Activism and The art and practice of experiencing/Becoming our space took place and originated at our location on Hettenheuvelweg, in an empty office building. We are currently finishing Issue 5: nulgraad under the creative direction of guest curator Charl Landvreugd. And preparing for Before the Storm by artist collective MOHA (Issue 6).

The Amsterdam South East district is on the eve of a major transformation. Tens of thousands of new homes are being built in the area. The current Amstel III business area is transforming into a new part of Bijlmermeer where living, working and recreation go together.
The intention is that SHEBANG will eventually have a permanent place in Bijlmer West.

Our location does not currently have a wheelchair accessible toilet.

Support

Gemeente Amsterdam
Stadsdeel Zuidoost