OT301

OT301 is a non-profit cultural venue at Overtoom 301 in Amsterdam’s Oud-West, housed in the former Dutch Film Academy building. In 1999, a collective of artists and squatters occupied the building and formed the First Aid for Art Society, known as EHBK. OT301 reopened to the public in October 2003, followed by an official reopening on May 1, 2004. EHBK bought the building in 2006 and runs the venue collectively alongside workspaces and housing.

The site has four public areas: the ground-floor Studios, the Junction, 4Bid Gallery, and the Ventilator Cinema/Bar on the second floor. The Studios contain two performance rooms: Studio 1 is the larger, with a stage, high ceiling, video screen, and lighting and sound equipment; Studio 2 is smaller and has a bar and seating. The rooms together span about 230 square metres, with capacity for 300 to 400 people depending on the setup.

Programming covers music, dance, theatre, performances, markets, and workshops. Midweek events generally feature live music, while weekend programmes often bring local and international DJs. Promoters who have organised events at OT301 include Power vs Power Records, Cat In The Bag Records, Break-Out, and Paper Tape. Artists who have performed there include Tommy The Cat, Chris Inperspective, Madcap, and BOP. OT301 marked its 20th anniversary on November 15 and 16, 2019.