Like his predecessors, Belgian curator Jan Hoet looked back at past Sonsbeek editions. In his introduction in the catalogue, Hoet emphasises the importance of continuity and tradition. While predecessors Wim Beeren and Valery Smith choose to spread out the artworks, Hoet decides to limit himself to three distinct locations with different functions, hence the subtitle 'LocusFocus'. He selected the characteristic park Sonsbeek (representing the cultural), the Eusebius Church (representing the historical), and the shopping center Kronenburg (representing the socio-economical). Hoet writes in his introduction: "[I have] very deliberately wanted to keep this Sonsbeek exhibition clear, easy to find, and above all readable - a tangible exhibition too, which everyone can at least read . . . . "

During Sonsbeek 9, seventy five artists present different works. A number of prominent artworks by female artists are on display in the Eusebius church. For example, the bright pink dress of American artist Beverly Semmes, located right in the middle of the church. Shopping mall Kronenburg, at the (then) edge of the city, is perhaps the most bold location. Thanks to the different artworks, the shopping mall offered a different shopping experience. However, the artworks turn out to be vulnerable: a number of works were vandalised, sometimes even multiple times. In the end Sonsbeek 9: LocusFocus shed light on the relationships between art and public space in Arnhem in its own unique way.