FOTODOK - Space for documentary photography

Who is FOTODOK?
FOTODOK is a young, Utrecht-based initiative for documentary photography with international ambitions. Every year, FOTODOK realises a substantive but accessible exhibition and events programme. The programming focuses on the long term as well as having the flexibility to respond to current events. The programming takes place in different locations around the city, with the permanent goal of raising the profile of documentary photography.

History
FOTODOK is founded by Rob Hornstra, an Utrecht based Photographer, and and art historian and independent exhibition organiser Femke Lutgerink.

In October 2005, Hornstra held an exhibition in Galerie Fotohof in Salzburg, Austria. At the time, a discussion was taking place in the Dutch art world (see Boekman Cahier 63) about the increasing popularity of photography and the number of organisations that were focusing on it. It became clear that there was a lot of interest in the medium, but that there was a lack of depth.

In the accessible, photographer-run Fotohof, Hornstra saw a good alternative; and in exhibition organiser Femke Lutgerink, he found his ally. Together they see the importance of an exhibition space in which documentary photography can be presented in an accessible manner to a broad public, without sacrificing any of the essential depth.

In September 2008 FOTODOK launched with the event Hit the Road. 

From the beginning of 2009 FOTODOK has organised an annual programme with four exhibitions, educational activities, lectures and debates, led by Femke Lutgerink. FOTODOK (still) works on location and holds each event in a different place. This dynamic way of working is characteristic of and important to FOTODOK, as is realising its programme in close collaboration with photographers.

For photography students and young photographers FOTODOK acts as a contact point to help them advance their (inter)national careers. Established photographers are attracted by the substantive exhibition programme, but also by the opportunity to contribute their expertise. This artist-run space principle is something FOTODOK aims to preserve.

Future

In time, FOTODOK hopes to establish a permanent exhibition space for documentary photography in the centre of Utrecht, and in five years to be the leading, international space for documentary photography in the Netherlands with a strong (inter)national network. Its goal is to put Utrecht on the map as the city for documentary photography.