about

Lola Lik is a creative hub situated in the former main building of the Bijlmerbajes prison and neighbour to the refugee centre Wenckebachweg. Lola Lik works closely together with COA, the organisation responsible for the reception and supervision of asylum seekers coming to the Netherlands. Together we run educational and entertainment programmes and search for new creative ways to welcome and support ‘New Amsterdammers’ living in the centre.

Everyone in Lola Lik is encouraged to add their own “lik” (Amsterdam slang for prison, but also meaning a stroke of paint) by contributing their craft, ideas or network to the hub. The 9000m² of available space is used by f.e. creative professionals, social enterprises, craftspeople and program developers. Many of them co-create with the inhabitants of the refugee centre or offer vocational training. Lola Lik is a public space, which means that the doors are open and all the inhabitants of Amsterdam are welcome for a cup of coffee in the Refugee Company café.

about Lola

LOLA (leegstandoplossers Amsterdam) has been commissioned by Gemeente Amsterdam to create this hub. LOLA provides a framework where energy can nestle and bloom and where development is flexible and organic with a focus on the process and not the result. It is about facilitating energy, making connections en reserving space for spontaneous developments and new opportunities. The Lola Lik identity, design and website implementation have been realised by The Visual Theatre.