Open Call Tschumi Pavilion
How can art encourage us to look at today’s social issues in a different light?
For the first time, we are launching an open call to find an artist who would like to bring the Tschumi Pavilion to life through an art project. We are doing this as part of Hellend Vlak (‘Slippery Slope’), a new project by Kunstpunt in which we invite artists to respond to current social developments:
❓ How do you view today’s social (and often polarised) issues?
❓ And how do you depict this in a thought-provoking way?
The Tschumi Pavilion, a slippery slope in its own right, serves as the tilted stage for this.
Do you create work that addresses social themes and would you like to share your vision in a location right in the heart of public space? Then take a look at this open call!
Good to know in advance:
⏰ Deadline for submitting a statement of intent: Wednesday 4 November 2026
🗓️ On 12 November, based on the submissions, we will announce which artists (up to 3) we have selected to produce a preliminary design. The artist will receive a fee of €1,500 excluding VAT for this.
🗓️ The artwork will be realised and unveiled in June 2027, after which it will be on display throughout the summer (dismantling in September 2027).
💰 A budget of €17,000 is available for the project, including the artist’s fee.
ℹ️ Curious to find out if this open call is right for you, whether you’re eligible, and how you can take part? You’ll find all the information on this page ⤵️
About Tschumi Pavilion
The Tschumi Pavilion, or Glass Video Gallery, on Hereplein in Groningen was designed by the Franco-Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi. It was built in 1990 as part of the ‘What a Wonderful World’ event. Since 1995, various temporary projects by artists from the Netherlands and abroad have been exhibited there annually. Thanks to the pavilion’s design, all projects are clearly visible to anyone passing by or waiting for the bus. Previous projects can be viewed on the Kunstpunt website: kunstpuntgroningen.nl/tschumi-pavilion/art-projects/
Art assignment
Artists are invited to create a temporary artwork for the Tschumi Pavilion that can be viewed from the outside. The artwork is a total experience and is site-specific; in other words, it engages with the context, the architecture, the surrounding public space, the people and the users. The challenge is to use the artwork to bring the site to life and attract the attention of passers-by. Please note: this is not an exhibition space that visitors can enter and experience from the inside.
Hellend vlak
In 2026, we launched Hellend Vlak (‘Slippery Slope), a program in which we ask artists to respond to current social developments. How do you view today’s social (and often polarised) issues? And how can these be depicted in a thought-provoking way?
The Tschumi Pavilion (1990) is ideally suited to this; it stands in the heart of the city and is visible to a wide audience. It is interesting to note that, with his design for the pavilion, the architect sought to challenge the traditional principles of architecture. Instead of a horizontal base, Tschumi opted for a sloping surface and designed a tilted glass structure. It is, quite literally, a slippery slope.
Jeroen Jongeleen was the first to create a work of art as part of ‘Hellend Vlak’: And so on and so on.
Prerequisites
- The artwork must relate clearly to the architecture of the Tschumi Pavilion in spatial terms;
- The artwork must be clearly visible and attract the attention of passers-by (for example, through movement), but must not obstruct traffic (no lasers at car height, etc.);
- The artwork will be on display for 3 to 4 months. Further arrangements will be made regarding this;
- The artwork must be effectively experienced from a distance;
- The interior of the pavilion itself is not accessible to the public;
- The artwork is not offensive and is appropriate enough to be displayed in a public space for several months;
- Walking on the grass is not permitted (due to the roots of the old trees);
- The artwork must be made, as far as possible, from sustainable and/or reusable materials;
- Painting the glass is not permitted;
- Placing components on the outside of or around the pavilion is not permitted;
- The artist is responsible for installing and removing the work.
Budget
- Up to three artists will be selected on the basis of the entries to produce a preliminary design. The artist will receive a fee of €1,500 (excl. VAT) for this.
- A project budget of €17,000, including the artist’s fee, is available for the winning artist.
Planning
- 4 November 2026 deadline for submitting expressions of interest
- 12 November 2026 announcement of artists selected to produce preliminary designs
- Week of 23 November 2026 visit to the Tschumi Pavilion by selected artists
- 2nd week of January 2027 presentation of preliminary designs and selection of 1 artist
- End of February 2027 presentation of final design
- June 2027 construction / opening
- September 2027 dismantling (date to be confirmed)
Interested?
Are you interested and able to take on this project?
Please send a letter of motivation explaining why you are the artist who should be awarded this commission. What specifically do you wish to convey to the (general) public, and what do you want them to experience in the Tschumi Pavilion?
You are permitted to submit an existing concept – but only if it has not been realised before – and then develop it further. Furthermore, experience of working in public spaces or on commission is not required. Should this be the case, we would be interested to hear the reason for this (temporary) shift in artistic direction.
Registration
Please email your cover letter by 4 November 2026 at the latest to: nicolinewijnja@kunstpuntgroningen.nl (reference: ‘Open Call Hellend Vlak 2027’).
The application requirements – preferably combined into a single PDF file – are listed in the following checklist:
- Word count: one A4 (Dutch or English) PDF file
- A relevant CV covering the years 2022 to 2026 (Dutch or English) PDF file
- A link to your website and/or your social media account(s)
Further information
No fee is payable for the drafting of the cover letter.
Selection criteria
- Currently working in the city/province of Groningen or having a demonstrable connection to the city/province
- Portfolio / CV
- Cover letter
Selection process
Based on the entries, a maximum of three artists will be selected to produce a preliminary design. The artist will receive a fee of €1,500 (excl. VAT) for this.
The selection will be made by: Nicoline Wijnja (project leader) and Michiel Kluiters (adviser).
No correspondence will be entered into regarding the reasons for the selection of the chosen artist or regarding individual rejections.
Further developments
Throughout the project, an artistic and technical adviser will support the artist during the design phase and provide advice on the implementation of the design.