Who is normal? And who decides? The exhibition Niet Normaal · Difference on Display departs from a paradox that is becoming increasingly evident in today's society. Do (bio)technological developments indeed offer promising possibilities in terms of diversity or do commerce and global economics tend to exploit new developments in favour of normality and homogeneity? These questions are central to Niet Normaal · Difference on Display. Several phases, platforms and partners form and take part in a larger campaign, Niet Normaal, which will culminate in an ambitious, international art exhibition. Niet Normaal · Difference on Display is visionary and ambitious: the project has a mission, is of high artistic and international quality and also aims to reach a wide audience. The exhibition contains of visual art, games, movies and documentary films.
At this moment the organisation has started the engines. In June 2008 the Board unanimously decided to give a final GO to the realisation of the project. Niet Normaal · Difference on Display has already garnered support from an impressive variety of groups and institutions in Dutch society and will be financially supported by the Dutch government, corporate sponsors and all of the large arts sponsoring foundations in the Netherlands. The manifestation is also drawing great interest from abroad. Travel of the Exhibition is being negotiated with a number of museums.
We thank our Recommendation Committee, Advisory Board, all of our partners and platforms, Board and team for their support and confidence. We are going for Niet Normaal!
   
24.09.08
At this moment we do not have vacancies. For stage places check the pdf below.

PDF › Stage lopen bij Niet Normaal (in Dutch)

10.09.08
Press Release: wide support for socially engaged exhibition in Beurs van Berlage.

PDF › Niet Normaal · Difference on Display (press release)

15.05.08
Call for papers for the publication Niet Normaal · Difference on Display. To be published in December 2009, NAI Publishers.

PDF › Call For Papers (publication)
   
VSBfonds
"What is a disability? And what is normal? The campaign Niet Normaal raises questions about our norms and values concerning disability and being different.Niet Normaal appeals to the VSBFonds because of the project’s ambition to engage a wide audience in discussion about social perceptions of what it means to ‘be different.’ The VSBFonds believes that diversity is enriching. This is why VSBFonds supports projects that make room for differences in identity and background. Projects that empower people with physical, mental and learning disabilities and enable them to participate more fully in society. The stimulation of positive perceptions about people who are ‘different’ can facilitate greater and more rewarding possibilities for social inclusion."

VSBfonds is an investment fund that is active across a broad social spectrum: people & society, nature & environment, art & culture and sport. The fund donates millions of Euros annually to projects that stimulate the social quality of Dutch society. In this way the VSBFonds advocates for a society in which as many people as possible can participate and develop their possibilities. This, so that now and in the future, we can all play a role in shaping our lives and the quality of our surroundings.

› www.vsbfonds.nl
   
Stichting DOEN
“The exhibition and campaign Niet Normaal · Difference on Display reveals how normal it is to be different from physical, mental and/or cognitive norms. The current attention for body, health and biotechnological enhancement are confrontational. The exhibition makes visitors reflect upon contemporary norms and values in terms of health and illness and being normal versus abnormal.
Stichting DOEN highly values the importance of stimulating societal and cultural participation to the community. For this reason DOEN finances Niet Normaal from budget of the BankGiro Loterij.”

› www.stichtingdoen.nl
   
Mondriaan Stichting
"The proposal concerns an ambitious and large-scale event that distinguishes itself from other art campaigns by its aim to connect a social-cultural agenda to contemporary visual art which will appeal to a wide audience. The exhibition explores the concept of normality, stimulating reflection on questions concerning the perfectibility of human beings, bio politics and the relationship between humans and machines. An international selection of artists has been invited to reflect on the subject and thereby function in a social-cultural context to pose questions about the concept of normality. The plans are clearly formulated, the peripheral programming is interesting and the organisation inspires confidence."

› www.mondriaanstichting.nl
   
Turing Foundation
"Niet Normaal · Difference on Display is a large scale, internationally ambitious project with the potential to draw a wide-audience to appreciate the work of important (international) artists. In addition to games, films and documentaries, Niet Normaal will also feature paintings of artists such as Marlene Dumas, Louise Bourgeois and Marc Quinn. Many of these works are in collections which are seldom accessible to the Dutch public. These are important reasons for the Turing Foundation to support this project."

› www.turingfoundation.org
   
Prins Claus Fonds
"Niet Normaal · Difference on Display not only presents high quality art, but it also expands the concept of diversity in relation to visual art and the audience. The exhibition opens its doors to people who may seem different but perhaps are not. It presents in another light the subjects disabled-abled, sick-healthy and the relationship between body and mind and how we imagine them, opening discussion about them. In short, a new approach to the visual arts and a new approach to large groups of people who deal with others, with sickness, mental illness and being different. Are we really so different from each other?"

› www.prinsclausfonds.nl
   
Museum Boijmans van Beuningen
 "Niet Normaal · Difference on Display promises to be an important campaign. Art is always about difference. The way in which Curator Ine Gevers connects this perspective to health, biotechnology and social responsibility is very promising. This makes the project not only interesting, but pressing in its urgency."

› www.boijmans.nl
4 6 5
 
Joop van Caldenborgh
 Director Caldic Chemie, private art collector

Job Cohen
Mayor of the city of Amsterdam, Taskforce Handicap en Samenleving

Hans Dijkstal
Member of the Taskforce Disability and Local Community

Sjarel Ex
Director of the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam

Hans Kamps
Chair of Crossover, Crown Council member of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER)

Els van der Plas
Director of the Prince Claus Fund, The Hague

Ute Meta Bauer
Director of the Visual Arts Program, MIT, Cambridge

Felix Rottenberg
Former chair PvdA, former Director De Balie, Amsterdam

Peter Weibel
Director of Zentrum für Kunst und Mediatechnologie, ZKM, Karlsruhe

Nout Wellink
President of De Nederlandse Bank, DNB
 
Roel Arkesteijn
Freelance curator, Berlin

Lilet Breddels
Director of Foundation Archis

Marianne Brouwer
Freelance curator, critic

José van Dijck
Professor of television, film en culture, University of Amsterdam

Huub de Groot
Professor of chemistry and coordinator medical systems, University of Leiden

Bas Haring
Professor of public understanding of science, Leiden University

Maria Hlavajova
Artistic Director, BAK, basis voor actuele kunst, Utrecht

Jacqueline Kool
Trainer, advisor, writer on health issues and life management, initiator Disability Studies Chair in the Netherlands (in collaboration with handicap + studie, ZonMw)

Miriam van Rijsingen
Professor art history and director of Arts & Genomics

Jacqueline Schoonheim
Lecturer/researcher on international law, University of Maastricht

Karin Spaink
Publicist, columnist for Het Parool, De Groene Amsterdammer, advisor to ZonMw

Marleen Stikker
Director of Waag Society, Amsterdam

Jan Troost
Disability activist, ambassador for the program Enhancement Client Position

Agnes van Wijnen
Director of Waag Society, Amsterdam
 
Foundation Niet Normaal
 Niet Normaal · Difference on Display will be realised by Foundation Niet Normaal. The foundation has set the goal to organise a visual art exhibition and educative program for a broad audience on norm and difference. The campaign lays out principles for mutual recognition and mirrors the diversity of an inclusive society in which persons with disabilities and/or chronic illness fully participate.

Board of Niet Normaal
– Hester Alberdingk Thijm, chair/ vice chair
Director Akzo Nobel Art Foundation, Amsterdam
– Michiel Dijkman, treasurer
Director M M D Consultancy & Management, medeoprichter SMS Op Tijd
– Simon den Hartog, secretary
Former director Rietveld Academie, chair Virtueel Museum zuid-As, Amsterdam
– Therese van Schie,
Former director Amsterdams Uit Bureau
– Willem Hollander, member of board
Chair of Nederlands Centrum voor Directeuren & Commissarisse, NCD

Team Niet Normaal
– Ine Gevers, artistic director
– Frank Lubbers, business director
– Monique Verhulst, senior exhibition producer
– Ravit Bechor, film producer
– Lieke Timmermans, marketing & communication
– Bettie de Bruin, education
– Bram Nijssen, designer
– Nancy Hoffmann, parallel program and office management
– Willemijn Wolters, visual artist
 
SKOR, Amsterdam
(Stichting Kunst in Openbare Ruimten has been involved in the relation between art and healthcare & care institutions for decennia. SKOR built up expertise and a collection of great works. In a satellite show related to Niet Normaal · Difference on Display SKOR will exhibits parts of this collection as well as new works).
› www.skor.nl

Concern, Amsterdam
(design office by Gilian Schrofer, responsible for the exhibition design)
› www.concern.nu

NAi publishers, Rotterdam
(produces the publication Niet Normaal · Difference on Display, in collaboration with the artistic director and the editorial board, consisting of Maaike Bleeker, Amade M‘Charek, Stuart Blume, Jacqueline Schoonheim and Miriam van Rijsingen)
› Niet Normaal · Difference on Display (publication)
› www.naipublishers.nl

Waag Society, Amsterdam
(Waag develops creative technology for cultural and societal innovation. Niet Normaal shows examples and uses devices for educational purposes. Currently we are developing the concept of a system the visitor can use to test him or herself on the normality scale)
› www.waag.org

GGD, Amsterdam
(In the context of the celebration of the Hudson year Wilco Tuinebreijer, psychiatrist of the GGD Amsterdam, organises the conference 'Urban Health'. This conference will take place in Amsterdam in April 2009 and in New York in September 2009. Niet Normaal · Difference on Display is involved and will take this conference as a prestigious moment to shed light on the upcoming manifestation in December 2009.)
› www.ggd.amsterdam.nl

Stichting Pandora, Amsterdam
(Pandora is an independant organisation for persons suffering of psychic problems, past and present. Pandora coined the phrase: ‘ever met a normal person? Did you like it?’ Pandora does not receive subsidization or is sponsored by pharmaceutical organisations. Pandora is invited to develop a conference related to the theme of Niet Normaal)
› www.stichtingpandora.nl
 
IDFA, Amsterdam
(theme related documentaries will be shown at IDFA and the Niet Normaal)
› www.idfa.nl

IFFR, Rotterdam
(theme related films will be shown at IFFR, IFFR in de tentoonstelling)
› www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com

Consortium, Utrecht [BAK, Humanities, Tumult, Kosmopolis]
(several ‘trialogues’ as part of the parallel program of Niet Normaal · Difference on Display exhibition will be facilitated by the Consortium)

Tumult, Utrecht
(different topics, among which ‘crosspoint thoughts’, ‘de – sexualisation of persons with disabilities’ en the ‘power of capital’ will be linked to feminism en disability studies)
› www.tumultdebat.nl

De Balie, Amsterdam
(related to their own program debates will take place at De Balie, Amsterdam)
› www.debalie.nl

Vrije Academie, Den Haag
(workshops, masterclasses)
› www.vrijeacademie.org
 
Main financiers

Achmea
› www.achmea.nl
VSB fonds
› www.vsbfonds.nl

Subsidization

VSB fonds
› www.vsbfonds.nl
ZonMw / VWS
› www.zonmw.nl
Mondriaan Stichting
› www.mondriaanfoundation.nl
Stichting Doen
› www.doen.nl
SNS Reaal fonds
› www.snsreaal.nl
Turing Foundation
› www.turingfoundation.org
Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten
› www.afk.nl
Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds
› www.prinsbernardcultuurfonds.nl
Fonds voor Beeldende Kunst, Vormgeving en Bouwkunst
› www.fondsbkvb.nl
SKAN fonds
› www.skanfonds.nl
Revalidatiefonds
› www.revalidatiefonds.nl

Sponsors

Achmea
› www.achmea.nl
Cordaan
› www.cordaan.nl
Mentrum
› www.mentrum.nl
Samhoud
› www.samhoud.nl
De Key
› www.dekey.nl
Amvest
› www.amvest.nl
Rabo Bouwfonds
› www.bouwfonds.nl
ABN AMRO
› www.abnamro.nl
Beamsystems
› www.beamsystems.nl
Hoek & Sonepouse
› www.hs-ondertiteling.nl
 
This initiative is supported by the following initiatives and institutions:

De Baak, centre of management VNO-NCW, director Harry Starren
› www.debaak.nl

Het Dolhuys, Haarlem, director Hans Looijen
› www.hetdolhuys.nl

Kunstenaars & Co, director Jo Houben
› www.kunstenaarsenco.nl

VSOP, Society of Collaborating Parent and Patient Organisations, director Cor Oosterwijk
› www.vsop.nl

VSN, Society of Muscular Disease Netherlands, director Marcel Timmen
› www.vsn.nl

Het Vijfde Seizoen, an ongoing artist-in- residency, taking place on the terrain of the psychiatric insitution the Willem Arntsz Hoeve in Den Dolder, director Boudewijn van Grunsven.
› www.vijfde-seizoen.nl

NPCF, Dutch Patient and Consumer Federation, director Atie Schipaanboord
› www.npcf.nl

Zorgorganisatie Cordaan, chair of board Eelco Damen
› www.cordaan.nl

GGZ JellinekMentrum, chair of board Jeroen Muller
› www.mentrum.nl

Pameijer Bestuurscentrum Rotterdam, chair of board Hans Kröber
› www.pameijer.nl

Stichting Perspectief, by and for persons with an impairment,
director Mario Nossin
› www.stichtingperspectief.nl

Coalitie voor Inclusie, Erwin Wieringa
› www.coalitievoorinclusie.nl

Partners in Policymaking, partners, parents and clients, José Smits, Erwin Wieringa
› www.partnersinpolicymaking.com

Onze Nieuwe Toekomst, by and for people with cognitive disabilities, Gent, Griet Roets
› www.ont.be

LFB Noord West, Hettie Dersjant
› www.onderling-sterk.nl

Stichting Pandora, director Marijke Knuttel, chair Willem Hollander
› www.stichtingpandora.nl

GGD, Amsterdam, director Marjolein Verstappen
› www.ggd.amsterdam.nl

BOSK, Society for persons with physical disabilities and parents, director K.A. Bron
› www.bosk.nl

VNO-NCW, The Hague, director Wim Ruijgrok
› www.vno-ncw.nl

With many thanks to the foundational organisations of Niet Normaal · Difference on Display: CG-raad, director Ad Poppelaars; handicap + studie, director Jan Nagtegaal.

For exchange of information and education we collaborate with the following insitutions and universities:

AMC, University of Amsterdam, section medical ethics, Jeanette Pols, Annemarie Mol
› www.amc.uva.nl

Humanities, University of Utrecht, Rosi Braidotti, Eva Midden
› www.let.uu.nl

Universiteit van Humanistiek, Douwe van Houten, Anouk Bolsenbroek
› www.uvh.nl

Seminar Orthopedagogiek, Hogeschool Utrecht, Hans Schuman, Anneke Bax
› http://svo.feo.hvu.nl

Orthopedagogiek, University of Utrecht, lectoraat, kenniskring, SPH
› www.hu.nl/lectoraten

Adviesraad diversiteit en integratie Amsterdam, Mira Kho
› www.amsterdam.nl/gemeente/diensten_bedrijven/adviesraad

Vrede van Utrecht, Community Art Lab, director Eugéne van Erven
› www.vredevanutrecht.nl

Faculteit Theologie, VU, Amsterdam, professor ethics Hans Reinders
› www.th.vu.nl

Faculteit Gezondheidszorg, Hogeschool Utrecht, Welmoed Steenstra
› www.hu.nl

Amsterdam School of Nursing (ASN), HvA and the AMC/UvA,
prof. Bert Schadé, Myra van Zwieten, Dick Willems
› www.uva-hva.nl
 
Ine Gevers
The concept and rationale for the exhibition have been developed under the curatorship of art historian Ine Gevers. She was curator of the international exhibition Ik + de Ander ( I + the Other) · Art and the Human Condition (Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, 1994) among others, author Beyond Ethics and Aesthetics (of Voorbij Ethiek en Esthetiek) (SUN, 1997) and organiser of public events such as Encountering the Culture of the Norm (De Geuzen, Amsterdam, 2000).

› www.inegevers.net
 
Frank Lubbers
Is responsible for the human resources as well as the financial and legal matters of the foundation Niet Normaal. He also holds the position of director of Museum De Wieger in Deurne, and chairs several cultural organisations in the Netherlands and Belgium. As chief curator and deputy director of the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, he shared the responsibility for the major renovation of the museum which reopened in 2003.
 
Niet Normaal · Difference on Display (vision + concept)
This brochure presents the vision and creative concept of the campaign. Art, science and lived reality meet each other to create alternative aesthetic forms in which diversity is valued and recognized.

Niet Normaal · Difference on Display (voorheen Alleman, in Dutch)
This brochure provides an impression of how the exhibition has been translated for a broad audience. The exhibition is presented as a dynamic city in which one feels alternately anonymous and protected, a city in which one is inspired to visualize and experience norm and difference.

PDF › Niet Normaal · Difference on Display (vision + concept)
PDF › Niet Normaal · Difference on Display (voorheen Alleman)
   
Would you like to contribute financially to make Niet Normaal · Difference on Display possible? Please contact us. We would be delighted to discuss a specific arrangement in exchange for your donation.

Foundation Niet Normaal
KNSM-laan 227 (office and postal address)
NL - 1019 LC Amsterdam
Telephone: 020-7880437
Banking account: Triodosbank 78.48.84.285
E-mail: info@nietnormaal.com
E-mail: info@nietnormaal.nl

Ine Gevers
E-mail: ine@nietnormaal.nl

Frank Lubbers
E-mail: frank@nietnormaal.nl

–
Design: Bram Nijssen