Billytown – The Hague

Billytown was founded in 2013 to create a communal workspace for artists, consisting of studios and a shared project space. Mutual involvement and dialogue have been at the basis of this from the start. The artists who are part of Billytown consist of both young as well as established artists, who are willing to play an active role within the initiative in addition to their professional practice. Together, the various individual art practices form a broad network that forms the fundamental structure of Billytown and ensures that the initiative is continuously developing. Billytown acts as a platform; it is a place where artists meet each other, conduct research and experiment.

Billytown consists of 21 studios, a gallery, Bookshop, AiR (Artist in Residence), The Archives/Peter van Beveren Library, and a wood workshop. In the summer of 2018, Billytown moved to the De Helena building in the centre of The Hague. Here, Billytown has been given the opportunity to grow into a creative hub with several other partners in the building. The Hague is known for its strong network of artist initiatives. The environment is rich, and the driving force to organise or initiate things together is strong. The active art scene in The Hague provides an inspiring and fruitful dynamic.

The resident at Billytown has access to a studio of approximately 45m2 and accommodation of approximately 20m2. There is also the option to use the communal wood workshop, kitchen and shower. Billytown has a structure in which internal dialogue is an essential part; the conversations that take place are of great value for the individual development of the studio practice. The resident is therefore encouraged to participate in the regular internal projects and activities of the artist initiative. At the start of the residency, Billytown appoints one or more of its artists as a contact person, who will help the resident with the practical needs during the residency and can provide support to quickly get to know all the artists in Billytown, become part of the group, and further find their way in the art scene of The Hague.

In the first month of the residency, an introductory tour will be organised along art initiatives in The Hague. The resident will also be encouraged to use The Archives/Peter van Beveren Library and the book shop. In addition to contacting all artists within Billytown and becoming part of the community, the resident is encouraged to invite a number of guests (for example an external artist, curator or critic) for studio visits during the working period.

The residency concludes with a final presentation that can be tailored to the needs of the resident. The method of presentation depends on the wishes of the artist in consultation with Billytown and the contact person of the residency, and can vary from an open studio, an exhibition/presentation, a performance or lecture, or a publication (in the form of a zine) in collaboration with the Billytown Bookshop.

This residency is specifically aimed at artists who are at the start of their career as they will benefit most from the dynamic working environment at Billytown, however everyone is welcome to apply.