Neck of the Woods and Hectobar: see new art, buy affordable art 

For a surprising exhibition programme, visit Neck of the Woods in the former OMA office at 125 Heer Bokelweg. Here you can see Rotterdam with De Folly (Paul Vinken), works and sculptures by Stefan Yordanov and I see you naked: being naked in the middle of the audience. Tip: V&B organises the Hectobar on Saturday night, an art exchange and sale where you can buy works by well-known and lesser-known artists for €100.

Roof-A: plenty of art and ambition under one roof 

Tucked away in the picturesque Scheepvaartkwartier is ROOF-A, a new cultural hotspot founded by Lobke Broos. Here she brings together all kinds of art forms and visitors – from makers to companies and art buyers. Lobke: “I’m really looking forward to participating in Art Rotterdam for the first time. The location at 9 Westplein, near the Veerhaven in a green setting with a view of the ships, is a discovery in itself. The building is a gem from the 1960s, the former club of shipping company Nedlloyd, with an open, welcoming atmosphere. There is little art to be found in the neighbourhood. ROOF-A really adds value in this respect.” 

Jungle Gym: experimental ensemble 

Expect a colourful and experimental experience in the former grain warehouse De Dubbelde Palmboom in Delfshaven. Here, Rotterdam artists Noël Deelen and Jelmer Konjo play with different materials and methods to arrive at new techniques. On show: interactive work, objects and a series of graphic collages. Plenty to occupy your senses! 

HIM: Het Industriegebouw Modern, for contemporary art and design

It’s not exactly a hidden or unknown spot: you cannot miss the national monument Het Industriegebouw (HIG) on the Goudsesingel in the Hoogkwartier. What is new is the recently opened HIM in the same building: Het Industriegebouw Modern, with contemporary art and design. Admire brand new art by hyper contemporary artists such as Jan van der Ploeg, Nas Bami, Iwan Smit, Robert Zandvliet, Harry Markusse and Sabine Marcelis. No museum-like displays of canvases, but instead wander through the building in search of the literally permanent collection: much of the art here blends into the walls of the monument. 

PB3 Putsebocht: behind the scenes with recent graduates

Hidden away in a former school building in Zuid, more than 20 recently graduated artists (WdKA and Piet Zwart Institute) are active. PB3 stands for Putsebocht 3, and the During PB3 – in process exhibition (which can be visited for free during Art Weekend) gives visitors a look behind the scenes with these young talented artists. From visual art, digital design and spatial design to theatre and poetry: you will be pleasantly surprised.  

Windlicht: a fresh poetic breeze

At various hidden locations in the city, you can discover art and poetry under the name Windlicht. In Katendrecht you can find them at FENIX I, Verhalenhuis Belvédère and 1 Wilhelminapier Rechthuislaan. 

Buitenplaats Brienenoord: art near and across the rising water

Buitenplaats Brienenoord is a rehearsal space for the future on the Eiland van Brienenoord, with a cultural and content-based programme. This is a good place to reflect, surrounded by greenery, on the water and with a view of Rotterdam. Take a look at the Waterworks project: an art project that has been ‘flowing’ since 2020 about our relationship with water. Six different artists have been researching this relationship and creating new work at this site. The result is six different investigations, approaches and works of art: the Waterworks. The works of art, the view, the nature and the beautiful location of Buitenplaats – designed by Superuse Studios from mainly recycled materials – are worth visiting.