Organizer Information

De Ateliers is a renowned artists’ institute located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, dedicated to supporting emerging visual artists at the beginning of their professional careers. Established to provide a critical, studio-focused environment, De Ateliers emphasises individual development through weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions with practising artists. The institute nurtures experimentation, deepens artistic practice, and fosters an international peer community. Its two-year program is highly respected globally and is known for producing artists who later gain recognition in international exhibitions and institutions.

Title & Description

Open Call for Emerging Visual Artists – De Ateliers 2026
De Ateliers invites applications for its two-year intensive studio and tutoring program, designed to strengthen the artistic foundation of early-career visual artists. The program emphasizes experimentation, critical feedback, and self-reflection in a structured studio environment. Participants engage in weekly individual studio conversations with regular and guest tutors, covering a multiplicity of artistic perspectives. The program also includes seminars, artist talks, workshops in wood, metal, synthetics, sound, and photography, as well as international excursions. De Ateliers offers a transformative environment for artists committed to developing their ideas and deepening their artistic practice among an international cohort.

Categories

  • Visual Art
  • Painting, Sculpture, Installation
  • Video & Sound
  • Performance Art
  • Interdisciplinary / Experimental Art

Eligibility

  • Early-career visual artists from any country or nationality
  • No formal or completed art education required
  • Ages typically between 20–30, though older, early-career artists can apply with justification
  • Artists who have not worked at Dutch postgraduate institutions (Rijksakademie, Jan van Eyck Academy, BAK)
  • Duos may apply and share a studio
  • Proficiency in English required

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Private studio in central Amsterdam (70–100 m²) with 24/7 access, heating, electricity, and wireless internet
  • Weekly one-on-one studio visits by regular and guest tutors
  • Access to workshops, darkroom, soundproof studio, and library
  • Stipend of €17,916 for 2025–2026 and a production budget of €2,100
  • Affordable housing support for international and local participants
  • Visa assistance for non-EU participants, including residence permit support

Application Fee

  • €65 for most applicants, paid via iDeal, PayPal, or credit card
  • Fee waiver for applicants from Least Developed, Low-Income, and Lower-Middle-Income Countries per OECD DAC list

Application Requirements

  • Personal data & CV with exhibitions, residencies, and awards
  • Portfolio: 10–20 images, up to 3 videos (10 minutes max), artist statement (max 400 words)
  • Motivation statement (max 400 words) explaining why applying to De Ateliers
  • Copy of valid ID (passport, ID card, or driver’s license)

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline:15 January 2026
  • Notification Date: Last week of March 2026
  • Studio participants announced: Early July 2026

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Additional Details

  • Jury assesses applications on artistic potential, urgency, and engagement with visual/material possibilities
  • Interviews conducted in person or online, with two separate juries assessing work and fit for the program
  • A maximum of 10 artists selected, typically 2–3 Dutch and 7–8 international

Website Link: https://www.de-ateliers.nl/en/aanmelding/