Behind Roelof Hartplein, in the heart of the neighborhood surrounding Beethovenstraat, is the Lydia Community Center. During the summer months, this community center transforms into a workspace for young artists. The Artzuid Artcamp runs for six consecutive weeks, from July 6 through August 14, 2026, and gives children ages 5 to 12 the space to really get creative. It’s not just about drawing for fun, but working with themes, materials, and techniques just as they do in a real art studio.
Artcamp is an initiative of the foundation behind the ARTZUID Sculpture Biennale, founded in 2008 by Cintha van Heeswijck through United Art Consult. What began as a neighborhood project has grown into the largest free art event in the Netherlands, attracting an average of 300,000 visitors per edition. Artcamp is the logical extension of this: the biennial brings sculpture to the streets of Zuid, while the camp brings art to the children of that same neighborhood.
Every day at camp begins with a circle talk. The group gathers, the day’s schedule is introduced, and fruit is served. This shared moment sets the tone for the rest of the day. At 12:30 p.m., the children eat lunch together, and then the activities continue. The theme for 2026 is Diversity. All the assignments revolve around this: what does diversity look like, and how do you translate that into an image, a structure, or a choice of colors? The children work toward a concrete result throughout the week.
Art belongs in the neighborhood, not just in museums, and that’s exactly what Artcamp is demonstrating at Roelof Hartplein.
Roelof Hartplein is a great spot for a project like this. The neighborhood has increasingly embraced the square in recent years, and the Lydia Community Center has been its social hub for years. The fact that Artcamp is located right here fits with the way ARTZUID has always operated: art belongs in the neighborhood, not just in museums. For children who stay in the city for the entire summer break, six weeks of Artcamp offer a serious alternative to doing nothing.
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