Art Brut Biennale iconic event in Overijssel

In August 2009 the first association for European outsider art was founded at a first general assembly at Museum Dr. Guislain, Belgium. This establishment is the result of a yearlong shared appeal to strengthen the voice of outsider art by improving intercultural cooperation and dialogue across the European borders.

The association operates as an umbrella organisation for all cultural workers devoted to the promotion of marginalised art in the European cultural sector. The primary objectives of the association are to:

• create a favourable environment for those in this field willing to share experience, exchange good practice and set up partnerships at a transnational level
• collect knowledge and share out information on activities and movements in the international outsider art scene
• contribute to the shaping, development and implementation of national and European policies and legislation
• create a forum for promoting, exploring and debating the history and contemporary state of outsider art
• promote the rights of outsider artists

Mission: 

To connect European outsider art

To stimulate international cooperation and dialogue

To influence cultural policies and education

To promote the continuation of outsider art history

To protect the rights of outsider artists

The general conference and annual assembly of the European Outsider Art Association will take place in Hengelo from May 10th to 13th during the 2026 Art Brut Biennial. We are honored to organize this international gathering and expect a strong turnout from all participating countries.

The Art Brut Biennale, which will be organized in Hengelo for the fifth time in 2023, has become a member of the International European Outsider Art Association. The organization regards this as an honorable recognition for our efforts, which will make it easier to get access to artists, international museums, institutions and private art collections.

Art in its rawest and most direct manifestation: that is what Art Brut is. This type of fine art is difficult to define or classify under a common denominator, for there is hardly any kinship with any existing art form. It is created by artists who express what is within them without concern for existing ideas or theories about fine art. They don’t ask for attention or appreciation, but their work surely deserves it. It is that conviction which motivated the Art Brut Biennale to offer a platform to the pure artistic work created by artists both from our own country and from abroad. So that their work can truly speak for itself.