User:Heeswijck

Hi, my name is Cintha van Heeswijck (47). I studied International Law at the University of Amsterdam. After an internship at the United Nations in New York, I worked for 7 years in Dutch parliament as a policy-maker. After that I worked 4 years at the Department of Social Affairs. In 2008 I started my own company United Art Consult with the aim to stimulate art-related public-private initiatives to enhance the social cohesion in our country.

The first initiative I developed is ARTZUID, the International Sculpture Biennial in the Southern district of Amsterdam. This area is designed by H.P. Berlage in the first part of the 20th century. I founded Foundation ArtZuid to collect private and public means to realize this project. Currently I am Director of Foundation ArtZuid. We mainly work with professional volunteers.

The first edition of ARTZUID in 2009 was rewarded in 2011 with the prestigious Europa Nostra Award. The idea to confront the public with sculptures of internationally renowned artists on the boulevards Apollolaan and Minervalaan, made people aware of this cultural heritage site of architect H.P. Berlage. And brought people together, made them talk to eachother and enjoy not only art but also eachother.

The second edition of ARTZUID in 2011 attracted 350.000 visitors and was opened by Queen Beatrix. Currently I am busy with the organization of the third edition. If you are interested you can visit our website www.artzuid.com.