mestizo arts platform ?

MAP’s mission and vision.

MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM (MAP) mixes and matches artists and arts organizations through the unique collaboration WIPCOOP or Work In PROGRESS Cooperative.

We nurture the imagination of artists who draw from more than one world, and help them shape their own universe and share their journey to it. Our cities are a vibrant source of artistic talent from various backgrounds, and MAP provides a platform for all these stories, dreams and memories. We bring new voices and stories in all their multidisciplinary and hybrid forms to the broad field of performing arts, contributing to a rich and vibrant arts scene in Belgium and beyond.

MAP develops efficient and sustainable artistic networks. We believe in the narrative power of cities. That’s why we work to connect artists, arts organizations and practices from very diverse backgrounds and styles. We believe that these encounters are enriching and necessary to harness the artistic potential of cities. In everything MAP does, collaboration and community are fundamental. These principles help create a diverse and representative art field.

MAP’s team

MAP’s team is small, but dedicated. We are betting on cooperative and community to strengthen our organizational culture. We do this with permanent staff, as well as a lot of freelancers and the commitment of participating artists and organizations.

At MAP, there is no room for exclusion and discrimination. MAP is an organization where openness, understanding of each other’s differences and connection are central. We respect everyone as they are, work to connect, believe in equality, and we give everyone equal opportunities to flourish.

Tine De Pourcq Maruszak

Tine De Pourcq

I am Tine De Pourcq and have been working for MAP since its inception (2005). So I grew – with the vision and support of Gerardo Salinas, my sounding board and inspiration forever – in the organization and helped shape the MAF festival, Murga, De mensen maken de stad, Studio Urbanization, …. Now I oversee the whole of MAP’s operation and the partnerships involved, with another firm foot in the daily follow-up of artists and organizations.

tine@mestizoartsplatform.be

Mulanga Nkolo Maruszak

Mulanga Nkolo

I am Mulanga Nkolo and already as an employee of kunstZ, I was involved in MAP’s operation since 2012 (fan of Mestizo Arts Festival from the first – and last – hour). Since 2019, as part of MAP’s team, I can fully immerse myself in the artists’ trajectories and make them visible to art sector and public. –

mulanga@mestizoartsplatform.be

Charlotte Cornelissen Maruszak

Charlotte Cornelissen

I am Charlotte Cornelissen and have worked for several arts organizations such as Rooftoptiger, K.A.K., ZVA, Laika, … Since 2020, I have been providing structure to MAP’s planning and finances.

charlotte@mestizoartsplatform.be

Paulien Verheyen Maruszak

Paulien Verheyen

I am Paulien Verheyen and completely new (since 2024) to MAP. I am an illustrator, cultural manager and socially engaged visual artist. In addition to freelance work, I will now work with Mulanga to visualize all that is going on in front of and behind the scenes at MAP. –

paulien@mestizoartsplatform.be

Also check out all of WIPCOOP’s partners and artists

Where to find us?

Given the many collaborations and different cities we work in, we are often on the road but our home base (and mailing address) is:

Zirkstraat 36, 2000 Antwerp

MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM asbl.
Saffierstraat 164
2600 Antwerp
BE0874514782

RVB/AV:
Ems Depreeuw (president – ems.depreeuw@gmail.com)
Freija Bosmans
Joana Rossi
Selm Wenselaers
Junior Akwety
Heleen Fivez
Giuliana Chirinos

Mestizx Collective

MAP and Mestizx Collective are in a close relationship. Indeed, after MAF, other artistic creations and projects (The People Make the City, Altar of Antwerp, A Playlist, Brains, etc.) continued to grow alongside WIPCOOP. These are shaped by other means by the Mestizx Collective. Joana Rossi, Lucila Guichón, Gerardo Salinas and Tine De Pourcq are part of the collective. Gerardo was the founder of MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM in 2005 and Tine, Joana and Lucila jumped on the boat with him.

All info on Mestizx Collective and their creations and projects past and present can be found at the link below.

Mestizx Collective

MAP’s heritage

Founded in 2005 by Gerardo Salinas, then programmer at Arenbergschouwburg, MAP (in the early days Fiëbre vzw) created various projects such as Studio Urbanization, Murga, Work In Progress or WIP (since 2009), MAPping, BRAINS and VERSUS. The annual Mestizo Arts Festival (2005-2017) was a highlight where everything came together, including MAP’s co-productions Rumble in da Jungle (SINCOLLECTIEF) and Malcolm X (Jr.cE.sA.r.). From the beginning, collaboration and bold innovation around urban arts was the foundation, and on these MAF days we developed an engaged community of artists, organizations and audiences.

Since 2017, MAP has focused entirely on WIP, now WIPCOOP, a collaboration of many arts organizations in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Leuven, and since 2020 Barcelona, Berlin and Amsterdam. After MAF, other artistic creations and projects (De mensen maken de stad, Altaar van Antwerpen, A Playlist, Brains, …) continued to grow alongside WIPCOOP. These are shaped by other means by the Mestizx Collective.

All info on Mestizx Collective and their creations and projects past and present can be found HERE