The Artist and the Others
The Artist and the Others, born in 2013, is a non-profit foundation based in Maastricht & Munich. Through local, regional and international projects, we support young artists and cultural professionals by helping them develop a sustainable career in the cultural & creative field. All of our activities are based on the recognition of the profound importance of the Arts in Society, the benefits which can come with shared knowledge, and the urgent need to contrast the unequal and unsustainable structures of the art world.
The majority of artists give up within the first five years of their careers. Our goal is enable artists and cultural professionals to overcome the difficulties that they encounter in these crucial years, bridging the gaps between education and the professional world. Our purpose is to help professionals gain knowledge, develop skills, and establish the connections they need today.
We target educational gaps and unfair dynamics, highlighted in expert reports, and actively talk to artists and professionals to learn about their experience, the difficulties and obstacles they face in different countries. Through our projects, we provide a solid framework of knowledge, skills and connections, necessary to address these gaps and empower artists.
- WE INITIATE projects that present a solution from current needs.
- WE PROVIDE workshops & coaching sessions.
- WE ENABLE & FOSTER connections across borders.
- WE ADVOCATE & PROMOTE fair & sustainable art practices.
Bringing together our expertise, alongside local and international professionals, we co-create high-quality solutions which follow fair pay guidelines and enable the creation of a sustainable ecosystem for artists.
90% of graduated artists do not make it.
LET’S START a ‘positive’ revolution.
LET’S CREATE a fair art world.
LET’S BUILD a sustainable ecosystem for artists.
Our Projects
- Summer Training for Artists
- Professional Workshops
- Coaching Sessions
- Local & International Exhibitions supporting emerging artists
- Euregional Projects (Euregio Meuse-Rhine: Maastricht, Liège, Genk, Hasselt, Aachen)
- International Projects (The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Croatia)
- European Collaborations
Each project is based on sharing knowledge, enhancing skills, creating awareness of the cultural world and developing new connections. We strongly believe that a combination of talent, skills and expertise can expand professional connections and shape artistic futures.
Currently, The Artist and the Others is developing an Artist Residency programme specific for Artist mothers/parents – an online, flexible project that can allow them to develop their practice alongside parenthood.
Our Collaborations
- Universities (Maastricht University)
- Academies (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and design, PXL & Mad Faculty – Hasselt, ADBK Munich, KulturKonzepte Wien)
- Governmental institutions (Province of Limburg and Municipality of Maastricht, KulturReferrat Munich)
- Cultural organisations in the Euregio (Designmetropole Aachen, The Space Collection, Comptoir des Ressources Creatives, Wallonie Design, Le Brasseurs in Liège, Hasselt Triennale, Z33, Marres)
- Cultural organisations (Kunstpodium T, REA Foundation, MateraHub, ECHN)
- & Independent Professionals (researchers, curators, lawyers… )
Our Foundation is proudly part of part of the European Creative Hub Network, The Creative Business Network, part of the ARTSMAP and the Arts & Humanities Network.
The Artist and the Others works as a ‘cultural connector’ bridging different institutions and cultural professionals.
Our Team
Jessica Capra / jessica@theartistandtheothers.nl
Head of The Artist and the Others / Concept & Projects
Jessica Capra is a cultural professional with over ten years experience, working in culture and supporting artists in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, Turkey and Italy. She initiates and develops cultural projects based on needs, created to make a change. She works for and with artists and cultural professionals.
The pillars of every project she develops are: the promotion of shared knowledge, the need to connect people, enhance skills and start new collaborations that can create value for the current cultural situation. Her passion for motivating, empowering and advising others, especially young cultural professionals and artists, led her to the creation of The Artist and The Others. She is also the initiator of the Summer Training for emerging artists.
Ronja Terwindt / ronja@theartistandtheothers.nl
Production
After following Management studies in Eindhoven, and autonomous studies at the Art Academy in Maastricht, Ronja Terwindt chose to gain experience as a Team Leader at a country estate. Here she acquired Team Management and Event Organisation skills, recognising the importance of the visitor. Alongside this, she worked for art organisations in Maastricht and Parkstad.
Ronja decided to continue her career as a freelancer, applying her knowledge and experience to benefit local makers, creatives and initiatives. Since 2022, she has been active for The Artist and the Others and for Video Power. She is now Maastricht-based Project Leader and Head of Production at The Artist and the Others. Giving special attention to what distinguishes one maker from another, she develops customised solutions alongside our partners. Her strong commitment to truly help creative people is transferred to the projects and collaborations on which she works.
Zoë Rivas Zanello / zoezanello@theartistandtheothers.nl
Communication & Development
Zoë Rivas Zanello is an English-Italian arts professional working in communication and development for contemporary art initiatives. She completed a BSc in Psychology at the University of Trieste in Italy in 2018, and obtained an MA in Arts and Heritage at Maastricht University in 2020 with a research dissertation on the sustainability of International Artist Residencies. She is currently studying at Turps Independent Art School in London (2022-2024).
She has worked with the International Research Department of the University of Trieste, the British Institute, Trieste Photo Days, the International Women’s Centre of Trieste, Ally Capellino Designs in London, Kooness Magazine in Milan, the European Institute of Women’s Health (EIWH) in Ireland, and the French artist-led initiative Marasa. She currently coordinates and curates projects for Neo Associazione Culturale, in Italy, and has been collaborating with The Artist and the Others since 2021.
Lars den Hertog / lars@theartistandtheothers.nl
Connections & Production
Lars den Hertog, also known as LDH, is an artists and freelance curator based in Maastricht, the Netherlands. He graduated in 2020 from his master studies in Fine Art and Design at the Maastricht Institute of Arts. Lars has been active as a curator at ‘PAND in Heerlen, from May 2022 to February 2023, developing exhibitions and events. He is also co-founder of the artist-run space l’Étalage in Maastricht.
He has been working for The Artist and the Others since 2023, extending connections and overseeing the production of projects in the city of Maastricht. Passionate about the Arts, he is strongly motivated to improve the lives and enable the careers talented artists.