Teenage Curators
de Appel’s Teenage Curators programme, led by David Smeulders, Fouad Lakbir, and Ka-Tjun Hau, aims at creating a connection between young students from Amsterdam Nieuw-West and the art world. Since its early beginnings in 2022, the Teenage Curators programme has collaborated extensively with artists, storytellers and professionals from Amsterdam’s cultural sector to introduce participants to the practice of curating public programmes, exhibitions and artworks that showcase their experiences, questions and dreams, and provide them with a platform outside of formal art institutions.
The programme began in 2022 at Comenius Lyceum and Calandlyceum, where students engaged in a series of workshops. It then expanded into a more in-depth, extracurricular programme, allowing them to continue their development as young curators. By taking on responsibilities for production, communication, and budget management, they developed a thorough understanding of curatorship. At de Appel’s previous location Broedplaats Lely, they developed and realized the exhibition Stories of Belonging (2022), which centered on personal narratives and childhood memories. Storyteller Fouad Lakbir and artist Narges Mohammadi guided the participants in shaping the programme, sparking a conversation around the theme of ‘feeling at home’ and the shared experience of living in Nieuw-West.
The Teenage Curators also organised a public programme at the Frascati Theatre in the Lodewijk van Deyssel neighborhood (Slotermeer), which was inspired by visits to art institutions across Amsterdam. During this time, the participants met artists like Richard Kofi and Ain, and reflected on the stories they felt were important to tell. This research phase culminated in their exhibition If You Really Knew Me… (2023), which encouraged visitors to share their own experiences and engage in collective reflection on understanding and prejudice.
After the first pilot edition, the programme developed further in 2023/2024: highlight of the programme was the unveiling of the public artwork If You Know, You Know… in October 2024, on the facade of the new residential complex Podium, along Schipluidenlaan. Created in collaboration with artist Narges Mohammadi and spoken word artist Zeinab El Bouni, this piece became a tribute to the neighborhood, bringing to life the memories and stories of local young people.
The Teenage Curators programme is a journey of self-discovery and collective creativity. By sharing stories that might otherwise go unheard, the participants forged connections between art and the community. de Appel is dedicated to ensuring the longevity of this programme, providing each new generation of students the possibility to translate their stories into art.
The 2023/2024 edition of the Teenage Curators programme was generously supported by Mondriaan Fonds, Fonds 21, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Stichting Zabawas, Gemeente Amsterdam, Stadsdeel Nieuw-West, LEV architecten en De Nijs.
