BAU is the platform for the independent dance and performance scene in Amsterdam and calls itself a place for artistic innovation within the performing arts, with the focus on independent dance, performance and mime.
In addition to being a development institute, BAU has a second position as a representative of interests for this group.
We improve the working conditions and the future perspective of independent makers, so that we professionalize and strengthen the field.
 
We do this by:

• create opportunities for independent (mid-career) makers to continue to develop by offering an artistic program.
• guiding independent artists within their artistic and production working practice in the professional arts field by providing advice and information.
• make the independent work within this sector visible to an audience through our events, our online agenda and through general promotion.
• doing research and initiating projects in the field of innovation and development within dance, performance and mime.
• facilitating studio space and a co working space.
• developing an international Artist in Residence for dance, performance and mime.
• to play a role in the representation of this sector among policy makers and funds.
• strengthen the network through network meetings. 

BAU functions with a BAU Committee of independent makers in the dance, performance and mime sector who contribute to the content of BAU. With this team, which gives advice and thinks along, we maintain the bottom-up mentality, we continue to see what the need is and we can determine the course from the field.

Since its founding by independent makers in 2015, BAU has been committed to filling gaps and developing new formats to give the Amsterdam dance, performance and mimeveld field the tools to strengthen itself from the bottom up. By doing this, BAU gives the independent scene a face and thereby contributes to the development of dance and performance arts in Amsterdam and beyond.
 

Organisation BAU

Daily direction: Eva Villanueva

Financial direction: Martha van Meegen 

Production/Financial direction assistent: Bibi Scholten van Aschat

Online Agenda: Michael Jahoda

BAU Commitee

Eva Villanueva, Julia Willms, Keren Levi, Marion Traenkle, Marjolein Vogels, Michael Jahoda, Nicole Beutler, Orion Maxted, Sarah van Lamsweerde, Susanne Marx

Board of directors BAU foundation

Nicole van Vessum, Jeroen Fabius, Bram de Jaeger

The independent scene of Amsterdam
In addition to a number of structurally subsidized companies, Amsterdam has a large group of independent artists who work on a project base. Choreographers, performance makers and other independent professionals who work in the (performing) arts, such as dancers / performers, composers, musicians, dramaturges and light / sound designers. Many of them are educated in the internationally recognized, often interdisciplinary educational institutes in Amsterdam: The Academy of Theater and Dance (DAS Choreography, DAS Theater, SNDO, the Expanded Contemporary Dance, Mime, Production Performing Arts, Scenography, Design & Technology etc) and the ROC. But also courses such as the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, the Rijksacademie of visual arts and the Sandberg Institute.
Together with the structurally subsidized companies, this group of artists forms the landscape and fertile soil on which art can thrive. This scene benefits from connecting activities, preventing fragmentation and increasing visibility. Often these artists (beginners, mid-careers and seniors) have a lot of knowledge and the innovation manifests itself the most in this group.