WORM is an independent and forward-thinking arts venue that has a unique and inspiring presence in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the world.
We host and produce hundreds of activities – public events, rehearsals, workshops and community meetings, film, music and radio making – every year.
You can read about WORM’s new iteration, Ultimate Playground, in our Mission Statement.
SEVEN QUESTIONS YOU WERE AFRAID TO ASK ABOUT WORM
What is WORM?
WORM is an institution devoted to the development, promotion and staging of alternative cultural talent, over many disciplines. We are also a maker centre for film, radio, theatre and music – and function as a club, a gallery, a social centre, alternative library, and a bar. We take “avantgardistic recreation” seriously.
What are we trying to do?
WORM offers alternatives to mainstream culture in Rotterdam and beyond. Our programme focuses on curious, and upcoming makers. WORM looks to fuse genre and disciplines, and in doing so, challenge this city’s social, artistic and cultural preconceptions about what is art, culture, or entertainment.
Who visits WORM?
We find our audience is predominantly young, creative, multicultural and international. But we have a long history of attracting those of all ages who feel they “don’t fit”, or want an alternative to the social and cultural mainstream.
How can we afford to do what we do?
For the period 2025-2028, WORM receives multi-year funding from the Municipality of Rotterdam. Alongside this, we are a BIS development institution, funded by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Science. WORM is also reliant on ticket sales and bar revenue.
What – how – who – do we develop?
Every corner of our building is dedicated to developing (live) art. Our sound studio, radio studio and analogue film lab serve as platforms for sound art and radiophony, community-building, and practice-based learning. Each year, more than 300 artists make use of these facilities. WORM has a distinctive approach to talent development in the field of curatorship. We believe strongly in maker-curators. Over recent years, a large part of the music and performance programming has been handed over to talented makers and organisers. Here, we work with a small group of individuals whom we mentor and support over the course of several years, to produce new work and to strengthen the scene by organising events.
Which partners and institutions do we work with?
WORM is a network organization! We work with ReWire Festival (Den Haag) VERA (Groningen), OCCII (Amsterdam), De Fabriek (Eindhoven), Podium Xplore (Leeuwarden), Performance Art Event (Rotterdam), HipHopHuis (Rotterdam), Paradiso Melkweg Productiehuis (Amsterdam), House of Knowledge (Rotterdam), LEVELS (Rotterdam), Space Is The Place (Amsterdam), Amarte Fonds (private fund), Fringe Festival Amsterdam (Amsterdam), LOCH (DE), Het Bos (BE), Courtisane Festival (BE), Nyege Nyege (UG): to name a few. More can be found on our partner page.
How to get involved?
We help realise over 1,600 radio shows, 250 art productions, 250 art presentations and around 300 gatherings every year. If you want to make, or be involved in one of these, then get in touch!
Please send us a brief idea of what you want to do, together with a reflection on why you want to do this in, and with, WORM. We love postcards and letters, but you can also find our email addresses on our contact page (LINK). WORM is a renowned and vibrant institution, and not just a “cool venue” to tick off your wish-list and burnish your CV with. We are a place to work, to be involved, and where you can build longstanding, inspiring relationships.
(What does WORM think of AI?)
Item, je laisse a Saint Amant
Le Cheval Blanc, avec la Mulle,
Et a Blarru mon dyamant
Ou l’Asne Royé qui reculle.
Et le decret qui articulle
Omnis utriusque sexus,
Contre la Carmeliste bulle
Laisse aux curez, pour mettre sus.
