Call for residency 49m² | Pitch your Plan

Bo Emmens 49m2 residency, photo Esther van Rosmalen

Are you an artist with an affinity for themes such as (art in) public space, ownership, ecology or urgent social issues? Then come to Witte Rook on Thursday 11 September 2025 and pitch your idea for a residency at 49m², located in Zaartpark, Breda.

We are selecting artists for all seasons in 2026 and 2027.

We will start from 2pm, walk-in 1.30pm. Project leader Manuela Porceddu will introduce the 49m² project and answer any questions. After that, you’ll have the chance to present your proposal in a small group setting. Keep your pitch to a maximum of 5 minutes, and consider which season best suits your plan.

From 16:00 onwards, there will be an artist talk featuring Ahn Sung Hwan, Penelope Cain, and Britte Koolen, all former artists-in-residence at 49m².

Both Pitch Your Plan and the artist talk will take place at Witte Rook in the StadsGalerij, during the exhibition De Vrijstaat – land van 49m², which is based on the 49m² project. To participate send an email to manuela@witterook.nl. Registration is not required, but would be appreciated.

About the 49m² project

In 2016 the Municipality of Breda signed an unusual agreement with artist and social activist Gerrit-Jan Smit: for twenty years, a piece of land in Zaartpark would be left alone. No maintenance. No interventions. No government interference. What remained was space. Free space. Since then, anyone may intervene — except the municipality. This legal reversal forms the foundation of 49m²: a place where artists, animals, plants and passers-by are the stakeholders.

What began with a single artist has since evolved into a seasonal residency programme hosted by Witte Rook. Each season, one artist is invited to take charge of and observe the site for three months, in dialogue with their own work, the surroundings and the people who pass through. Visit the 49m² project page for an overview of past residencies, observations and publications.

De Vrijstaat – land van 49m² — The exhibition De Vrijstaat - land van 49m² presents the work of eleven artists who explore how freedom relates to space, regulation and ecology.