The lecture series 'Now is the Time: Art & Theory in the 21st Century' attracted a total of 2545 visitors, divided over seven evenings, which means that per evening approximately 357 seats in the University of Amsterdam's Auditorium were filled. This success proves once more that the debate on art and art theory can indeed be stimulated by a high-quality lecture and debates programme.

'Now is the Time' also attracted more visitors than its predecessor, the lecture series 'Right About Now', that took place in 2006/2007 and which, with an average attendance of 220 visitors per evening, already was a success.

The organisation looks back at seven well-received evenings. The selection of topical themes, elaborated in fourteen thought provoking lectures, could count on an enthusiastic response from the audience. Highlight of the series was the engaging lectures and debate session with Terry Eagleton (UK) and Boris Groys (DU/RU) on the urgent theme of Belief on January 15, which attracted no less then 550 people.

But 'Now is the Time' hasn't come to an end yet. At the moment the organisation is working full speed on the final publication in which not only all the lectures will be published as an essay, but also the edited versions of the moderated debates. This publication will appear this coming Fall and will be published in collaboration with NAi Publishers. Thanks to the generous support of the Fonds voor Beeldende Kunst, Bouwkunst en Vormgeving, the publication will appear in both an English and a Dutch edition.

For those who cannot wait that long, you can visit our newly launched Photo Gallery on the website of 'Now is the Time', which contains visual documentation of all the evenings. Go to www.nowisthetime.nl

'Now is the Time: Art & Theory in the 21st Century' is the result of a unique collaboration between the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam, W139, the Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam and art magazine Metropolis M. 'Now is the Time' is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Mondrian Foundation and the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst.

The editors of 'Now is the Time: Art & Theory in the 21st Century' are:

Jelle Bouwhuis (SMBA)

Ingrid Commandeur and Domeniek Ruyters (METROPOLIS M)

Gijs Frieling (W139)

Margriet Schavemaker (UvA)

Christel Vesters (independent art critic/curator)