Public Acts
Did you know that in Groningen you can find hundreds of artworks in public spaces? From sculptures that have stood for generations to new works you may not yet have discovered. Together, they tell a story about the city: about its places, people, history, and future.
During the Month of Public Art 2026, Kunstpunt invites you to look at these works in a new way. This year, everything revolves around Public Acts.
About the Project
For Public Acts, curator Michiel Teeuw developed a programme in which contemporary artists respond to existing artworks from the Art in Public Space collection. They do so through so-called “scores”: concise instructions that invite you to carry out an action yourself with or in relation to an artwork.
This approach connects with the growing interest in performance art, in which artists reactivate public space and assign new meanings to existing works. Through artistic research and performative interventions, unexpected perspectives and experiences emerge.
Through their scores, the participating artists add new—and sometimes missing—perspectives and challenge the dominant view of public space. In doing so, they open up room for other stories and new ways of seeing.
Exhibition
From 6 to 20 June, the exhibition Public Acts will be on view at Kunstpunt. Five artworks from the city take centre stage: Denkstertje, Kringloop, Rollebollen, Zittende Jongeling, and Groeisymbool.
The exhibition delves into the backgrounds of these works and the new scores created for them. Alongside photographs of the artworks, you will find archival material and the full scores by contemporary artists Yvonne Dröge Wendel, Dinnis van Dijken, Caz Egelie, Maaike Meindertsma, and Sofía Murillo Lommers.
Publication
The publication Public Acts, edited by curator Michiel Teeuw, is released alongside the exhibition.
The publication is available at the Kunstpunt front desk.
Price: €10 (including the scores).
Guided Tours
Have you ever wanted to wrap, sing to, or even gently push a work of art in public space? For Public Acts, the artists have created unique and playful instructions for five artworks. These form part of lively tours on Saturday 13 and 20 June, specially developed for the Month of Art in Public Space.
Exploring together makes the experience even more special—there’s a good chance you’ll never look at these works the same way again afterwards.
Language: Dutch. For more information and tickets, please visit our webshop.
Fieldwork: Lecture and Panel Discussion
On Thursday 18 June, Kunstpunt is organising a lecture and panel discussion under the banner of Fieldwork. Curator Michiel Teeuw will be in conversation with the participating artists. The programme opens with a lecture by historian Annemarie de Wildt on how art can contribute to a more inclusive public space.
Practical Information
- Time: 17:00 – 19:00
- Doors open: from 16:30
- Includes drinks afterwards
- Admission: free
- Registration: via info@kunstpuntgroningen.nl
Curator’s tour
On Friday 26 June, Michiel Teeuw will lead a special curator’s tour. After an introduction at Kunstpunt, he will take you on a walk past a selection of artworks in the city.
Practical Information
- Start: 13:00
- Admission: free
- Registration: via info@kunstpuntgroningen.nl
Art in Public Space Award
During the Month of Art in Public Space, we are putting ten artworks in the spotlight. They are in the running for the Art in Public Space Award 2026. This year’s theme is representation. Do you recognise your own story in the art around you? Which stories do you encounter? And which story do you think deserves more attention?
Which one is your favourite? You can vote from 1 to 20 June 2026 via kunstopstraatprijs.nl.
Met dank aan
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