Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art (Rotterdam) and de Appel arts centre (Amsterdam) joined forces in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to bring together an exceptional community including Dutch collectors, gallery owners and engaged guests keen on supporting the arts to benefit the two institutions.

BENEFIT 2015
Thursday 8 October 2015, Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art and de Appel arts centre hosted their annual Benefit evening & auction at Undercurrent, overseeing the IJ river in Amsterdam. This Benefit evening – established to raise private funding for future exhibitions, public programs and publications – signalized the anniversaries of both institutions: twenty-five years of Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art and forty years of de Appel arts centre. Over 170 guests – collectors, art professionals, artists, and other benefactors – joined to support both institutions.

BENEFIT 2014
The annual Benefit Evening and auction jointly organized and hosted by Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art and de Appel arts centre took place on Thursday, 2 October 2014, on board of the SS Rotterdam, former flagship of the Holland-America line. The evening featured a keynote speech by prominent philanthropist Francesca von Habsburg, founder and president of Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (TBA21, Vienna) and a performance by electro clash singer Peaches. Chaired by Jop Ubbens, Chairman and Auctioneer of Christie’s Amsterdam, the auction included 23 lots by various international artists.

BENEFIT 2013
On Thursday 10 October 2013, Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art and De Appel arts centre organized their annual Benefit Evening at restaurant Sea Palace in Amsterdam. Artist Luc Tuymans and Lex her Braak, Director at Jan van Eyck opened the evening with a conversation on the importance of contemporary art institutions. The scenography of the evening was provided by artist Gerald van der Kaap, with music by artist Wendelien van Oldenborgh. Following the dinner, choreographer Alexandra Bachzetsis staged the two directors of the institutions in a live performance, combining a video-installation. Bachzetsis’ work was the first work to be auctioned. The auction took place after her performance and was organized in collaboration with auction house Christie’s, Amsterdam. Jop Ubbens, director of Christie’s, was auctioneer of the evening.

BENEFIT 2012
On Thursday evening September 6th, 2012 Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art and de Appel arts centre hosted a Benefit Evening at a unique location: Atelier van Lieshout. The program included a speech by Chris Dercon (Director of Tate Modern, London) and an auction of several artworks, organized in special collaboration with Christie’s (Amsterdam).