De Appel

Founded in 1975, De Appel is one of the most important Dutch venues for contemporary art, with a pronounced focus on performance and conceptual practice. It was started by curator Wies Smals, who brought early performances by Marina Abramovic, Ulay and Chris Burden to the Netherlands at a time when the medium had little institutional backing. The institution is equally known for its Curatorial Programme, a one-year course that has shaped international young curators since 1994. After several moves, De Appel now resides in Amsterdam-Zuid. Exhibitions are often demanding and process-driven, less visitor-friendly than a classic museum but uncompromising in stance. If you care about how the art world actually works, this is more rewarding than polished venues.