Open calls

Open Call — Self-taught Designer —– Creative Industries Fund NL

Are you a designer or creator with an emerging practice in design, architecture and/or digital culture, and have you not completed an art degree at higher professional education or university level? With the Open Call for Self-taught Designers, the Creative Industries Fund NL offers self-taught and vocational education-trained creators the opportunity to deepen and professionalise their artistic practice.

🧑‍💻 Through this call, you can apply for a live pitch day, where you will present how you want to develop your practice in terms of content and professionalism in the coming year.

💰 An independent committee will ultimately select ten makers who will be allowed to develop a development plan and will be eligible for a development grant of €25,000.

The call is aimed at starting designers and makers (active for a maximum of four years) with an individual or collective practice in design, architecture, digital culture or crossovers between these fields. This includes fashion design, animation, graphic novels, game design, street art, art direction, styling or urban practices. Creators who use design and imagery to reflect on themes such as climate, heritage, technology or underrepresented stories are also invited to respond.

💰 The development grant can be used for:

• artistic development (e.g. through mentorship);
• coaching;
• attending workshops;
• research;
• experimentation;
• creating and presenting new work.

🗓️ The development year runs from 1 September 2026 to 1 November 2027 and ties in with the content of the Stimuleringsfonds’ Talent Development programme.

Selection procedure

A maximum of two creators per province will be invited to the pitch day; the date of submission will be decisive: the first two complete and valid applications per province will receive an invitation to a live pitch day. A total of 24 pitches will take place.

The committee will assess:

• artistic and reflective ability;
• the proposed direction of development;
• the way in which creators share their work and forge new connections.

Important dates

• 🧑‍💻 Submission: 10 February 2026 (3:00 p.m.) – 25 February 2026 (4:00 p.m.)
  🌐 Via 👉  stimuleringsfonds.nl/en/grants/open-call-self-taught-designer

• 🗓️ Pitch days: 13 and 15 April 2026
• ⏰ Development plan deadline: 24 June 2026

❓ Not sure if you are eligible? Please contact us at:
📧 zelflerendontwerper@stimuleringsfonds.nl
☎️ 010-43 61 600

ℹ️ For all information about this open call, go to:
👉 stimuleringsfonds.nl/en/grants/open-call-self-taught-designer

ℹ️ All conditions can be found here:
👉 SCI_Open-Call-Self-taught-Designer-2025-2026.pdf

Open Call — Folly Art Norg 2026 —– Norg (Drenthe)

This open call text is from Folly Art Norg, which takes place from 2 to 30 August 2026:

“Folly Art Norg is a crossover between architecture, land art, design, craftsmanship and art in public spaces. It is an art event packaged in a 7.5-kilometre walking route that winds its way through the Drenthe landscape.

• 💡 Anyone with a good idea can participate in Folly Art: artists, architects, hobbyists, families, friends, soloists;
• 💯 Every year, we receive over 100 submissions, from which 15 to 20 follies are selected;
• ❗ Read the conditions for submitting your design, as an incomplete submission may be grounds for rejection.

♻️ The choice of materials is up to you, but we encourage the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly, circular and/or reused materials.
💰 The construction budget is €650.

The follies will be judged during the event by an expert jury consisting of professionals from various creative disciplines. They will judge based on the following criteria:

• ✅ design;
• ✅ use of materials;
• ✅ originality;
• ✅ execution in relation to the original design plan.

💰 The winner will receive a cash prize of €5,000.
💰 Visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite folly, which will receive a cash prize of €500.

⏰ Deadline for this open call: 28 February 2026

ℹ️ For all information & registration, go to 👉 Information | FollyArtNorg

Open Call — Residency Vinterlys — Brogården Kulturvæksthus (Denmark)

Vinterlys and Media Art Friesland invite artists from the northern Netherlands to apply for a residency in preparation for Vinterlys 2027 (19–27 February). Vinterlys Festival takes place every two years in a forest on the west coast of Denmark.

Residency
The residency runs from 22 February to 8 March 2026 at Brogården Kulturvæksthus. Artists can develop work around the theme “Out of Scale”. The residency offers shared accommodation, workspace, daily allowance, lectures, mentorship, short workshops, nature excursions and networking opportunities.

Open Evening
On 7 March, there will be a public presentation in Videbæk, where artists can show their work for three hours in the outdoor space of the Vestjyllands Kunstpavillon. This may be existing work. You must bring your own materials; limited equipment is available. Set-up is on 6 March.

❗ Please note: participation in the residency does not guarantee participation in Vinterlys 2027. There is room for two artists from the region.

Offer:

• 💰 € 35 per day (12 days)
• 💰 € 500 for the open evening
• 💰 travel expenses
• 🏠 shared accommodation
• 🍝 number of shared meals

How to apply:

📧 Email 👉 mediaartfriesland@gmail.com:

• ✅ letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
• ✅ concise artistic CV
• ✅ documentation of the work for the Open Evening (max. 10 photos, 3 min. video)

⏰ Deadline for this open call: 17 December 2025

ℹ️ More information about this open call can be found on Media Art Friesland’s social media channels:
👉 Instagram
👉 Facebook

Open Call — Groninger Visual Arts Stipends 2026 — Groningen

Are you a visual artist or designer, working in Groningen, and under 35? Then you can apply for the Groninger Visual Arts Scholarships 2026 until December 15th. These scholarships offer two promising artists the unique opportunity to further develop their artistic and professional practice. Through collaboration with the Municipality of Groningen, Kunstpunt Groningen, and the Minerva Academy, you will receive sustainable support for the development of your artistic practice.

You can apply for one of the two stipends:

🌾 Land
🌅 Horizon

Both stipends will be used to create new work in the North or abroad.

💰 The stipend consists of a €10,000 honorarium and a €10,000 work budget. This is linked to the Artist in Space program, in collaboration with residents of the North, worth €12,500.

De Noordenaars is a platform for presentation institutions in the Northern Netherlands, consisting of 16 organizations. For a year, you will be guided in further developing your practice, you will utilize De Noordenaars’ network, expertise, and facilities, and you will collaborate with other participating artists.

ℹ️ For all information and registration, go to 👉 Groninger Visual Arts Stipends | Minerva

⏰ Deadline for this open call: Monday, December 15, 2025

❓ Would you like to learn more about the Noordenaars Stipends and the Groninger Visual Arts Stipends, and the Artist in Space program?

• 🚶 Then come to the drop-in consultation hour at Kunstpunt Groningen (Trompsingel 27a) on Thursday, December 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All your questions about the differences between the scholarships and the Artist in Space program will be answered there.
• 📧 Unable to attend the consultation hour and still have questions? Please email artistinspace@noordenaars.nl.

💡 In 2026, the Noordenaars Stipends and the Groninger Visual Arts Stipends will be awarded in parallel. Both have their own terms and conditions and fees. Duplicate applications will be excluded. More information about the Noordenaars Scholarships can be found on this page, in the next open call block⤵️.

Open Call — Noordenaars Stipends 2026 — Groningen + Friesland + Drenthe

Are you an artist based in one of the three northern provinces? Then you can now apply for one of the two stipends from the Noordenaars! These stipends are intended for artists who have a professional or artistic development need.

👉 Would you like, for example:

• Experiment with a new medium?
• Reexamine your working method?
• Explore other forms of collaboration?
• Or are you ready for a professional development boost?

👍 Then this open call is for you!

💰 The stipends consist of a €12,000 honorarium and a €7,000 working budget. You will also receive a €13,500 budget linked to the Noordenaars Artist in Space program. ℹ️ For all information and registration, visit 👉 noordenaars.nl/opencall2026

⏰ Deadline for this open call: Monday, December 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

❓ Want to know more about the Noordenaars Scholarships and the Groningen Visual Arts Stipends, and the Artist in Space program? These are the options:

• 🚶 Drop-in consultation
  📅 Thursday, December 4, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  📍 Kunstpunt Groningen | Trompsingel 27a
  Here, all your questions about the differences between the stipends and the Artist in Space program will be answered.
• 🧑‍💻 Online consultation hour
  📅 Friday, December 5, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
  This is a separate online consultation hour for the Artist in Space program and for applicants from Drenthe and Friesland. You can register for this via this link.
• Contact
  Want to know more about the Noordenaars Stipends and the Groninger Visual Arts Stipends, and the Artist in Space program? Are you unable to attend the consultation hour and do you have any questions? 📧 Then send an email to artistinspace@noordenaars.nl

💡 NB: In 2026, the Noordenaars Stipends and the Groninger Visual Arts Stipends will be awarded in parallel. Both have their own terms and conditions and fees. Duplicate registrations will be excluded. More information about the Groningen Visual Arts Stipends can be found on this page in the open call block above⤴️.

Open call — Seed Contribution — Stokroos Foundation

💰 This fall, the Stokroos Foundation has 15 grants of €5,000 available for emerging designers, designers, and craftspeople. Are you a (landscape) architect, graphic designer, illustrator, fashion, jewelry, or textile designer, product designer, animator, printer, mold maker, ceramicist, or goldsmith? Then apply!

What’s important?

✅ You must have been working in the field for at least 3 and no more than 8 years;

✅ An application must include a portfolio, CV, a concise plan, and a budget;

✅ A proposal must address an in-depth development plan (research, experiment, or production, for example, of a prototype). It cannot include plans related to an exhibition, publication, or residency;

✅ The assessment will take into account the focus and ingenuity of your portfolio, the urgency of your plan, and the geographical distribution of the awards as a whole.

⏰ There’s no deadline, but don’t wait too long. The application form will close as soon as it looks like the budget will be fully used. This will prevent disappointment and prevent you from submitting an unnecessary application. Applications will be open again in 2026.

ℹ️ For more information and the application form, go to 👉Seed-bijdrage – Stokroos

❓ Do you have any questions?
📧 Email mail@stokroos.nl.

Open call — Impulsregeling ('Impulse Scheme') — Kunstraad Groningen

The Impulsregeling (‘Impulse Scheme’) of Kunstraad Groningen is intended for Groningen artists who want to boost their artistic development.

↗️ It’s an accessible scheme, specifically designed to give you, as an artist/creator, a boost in your artistic development. You can be a budding artist looking to take the first step in building a cultural career, but the scheme is also intended for more experienced artists who want to develop something new.

✅ The most important criterion for choosing the activity is that it will boost your artistic development in the long term. The activity must take place within six months of the scheme’s closing date.

💰 The Kunstraad Groningen’s contribution amounts to a maximum of 100% of the total costs, up to a maximum of €2,500 (including VAT, if applicable).

💰 The annual subsidy ceiling is set at €75,000 for the period 2025-2028. This amount will be distributed over four grant rounds per year:

⏰ The deadline for the next round of the Impulse Scheme is February 15, 2026

ℹ️ For all information and registration, go to 👉 Subsidieregelingen – Kunstraad Groningen

Open call — Artist in Residence AnnAtopiA — Het Goordonk (North Brabant)

Professional artists, poets and writers can apply for a working period in AnnAtopiA AiR.
​It is possible to work as an artist in residence in the Boshut and to stay in the Boshuis.

Disciplines
All visual and performing arts, creative writing

🗓️ Residence
Minimum of one week

📍 Locatie
AnnAtopiA
Het Goordonk 15
5111 GG Baarle-Nassau

💸 Cost
The cost for the stay of 1 week are €250 (Excl. costs for living). In consultation there is a special rate for students, starting artist and the less wealthy.

Admission guidelines
– professional art education / CV / portfolio
– motivation and global work plan

Description of the program
– introductory meeting
– filling in and signing the user agreement
– discuss motivation and work plan
– discussing and recording conversations about work process coaching, press moments and the like.
– closure with reflection report

Desired result of stay
– positive contribution to the development of artistry
– at least one work in the discipline (s) of the artist

📧 You can send your motivation, plan, portfolio and CV to AirAnnAtopiA@gmail.com
✉️ Or send it directly to:

      Stichting AnnAtopiA
      Vondelinghof 2
4908 DV Oosterhout, The Netherlands

ℹ️ Request more information for the different options via: AirAnnAtopiA@gmail.com

Open Call — Pakje Kunst — MOW / Museum Westerwolde

Since September 24, 2023, there has been a Pakje Kunst vending machine in the museum shop at the MOW. Pakje Kunst presents works of art the size of a pack of cigarettes in an old mechanical cigarette vending machine. A box costs only €6,- and you can find every form of art in it. The proceeds go almost entirely to the participating artists.

For the machine, MOW is always looking for artists from Westerwolde, Oldambt, Pekela, Veendam and Stadskanaal who enjoy surprising, confusing, moving or slightly irritating people with works of art the size of a pack of cigarettes.

For more information, visit Pakje kunst | Het MOW
You can register via info@hetmow.nl