Organizer Information
The Jan van Eyck Academie is a renowned post-academic institute for fine art, design, and theory based in Maastricht. Established as a leading research-driven platform, the academy supports artists, designers, curators, and writers in developing critical and experimental practices at the intersection of art, science, and society.
The institution is widely recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, integrating artistic production with research across specialized labs such as Food Lab, Future Materials, Nature Research, and Printing & Publishing. Its programs emphasize socially engaged practices, sustainability, and global discourse, positioning the academy as a key node in the European contemporary art landscape.
The Food Lab Fellowship is further strengthened through collaboration with Maastricht University (System Earth Science department) and the European project Institution(ing)s, offering fellows access to scientific research, ecological expertise, and an international network of cultural institutions.
Title & Description
Jan van Eyck Food Lab Fellowship 2027
The Jan van Eyck Food Lab Fellowship is a long-term research-based residency program designed for artists and designers working critically with food systems, ecology, and cultural histories. The fellowship invites practitioners whose work explores the social, political, and environmental dimensions of food, encouraging innovative and speculative approaches to sustainable and regenerative futures.
The selected fellow will participate in a 12-month residency (January–December 2027), joining an international cohort of approximately 36–40 artists, curators, and researchers. The program fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and encourages participants to engage with urgent global issues such as food security, climate change, biodiversity, and circular economies.
At the core of the fellowship is the Food Lab, a platform dedicated to artistic experimentation in food-related practices. Fellows are encouraged to investigate topics such as sustainable agriculture, food as medicine, agro-ecology, food politics, and the cultural narratives embedded in food systems.
Through its collaboration with Maastricht University’s System Earth Science department, the fellowship uniquely combines artistic research with scientific methodologies, enabling participants to access advanced facilities such as experimental gardens, greenhouses, and analytical tools.
The fellowship culminates in a public presentation at the Jan van Eyck Open Studios, offering visibility within the international art community.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Design
- Research-Based Practices
- Interdisciplinary Practices
- Food Art
- Environmental Art
- Social Practice
Eligibility
- Open to international artists and designers
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong artistic practice focused on food-related research
- Both new and ongoing projects are eligible
- Open to individual applicants only (no collectives)
- Not open to alumni of Jan van Eyck Academie, Rijksakademie, or De Ateliers (full-time participants)
- Applicants must be able to reside in Maastricht during the fellowship period
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency duration: 12 months (15 January – 15 December 2027)
- Monthly stipend: €1,750 (80% tax-exempt)
- Annual working budget: €2,250
- Studio space: Private workspace within the academy
- Access to labs and facilities (Food Lab, Future Materials, Nature Research, etc.)
- Scientific collaboration with Maastricht University (System Earth Science)
- Travel support: Up to €750 for local transport (Maastricht–Venlo)
- Professional exposure: Presentation at Open Studios and project documentation
- Networking opportunities with European cultural institutions and researchers
Application Fee
€50 (excluding VAT)
Application Requirements
- Motivation Letter (max. 500 words)
- Project Proposal (max. 500 words)
- Portfolio (max. 15 pages, works from the last 5 years)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (max. 2 pages)
- Functional links for video or digital work (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 4 June 2026
- Selection Announcement: Early July 2026
- Fellowship Period: 15 January – 15 December 2027
Location
Maastricht, Netherlands
Additional Details
- Fellows are expected to actively engage with the academy’s public program through presentations, workshops, or collaborations
- The program emphasizes knowledge exchange between art and science, particularly in relation to sustainability and ecological systems
- Participants will collaborate with researchers and students from Maastricht University
- The fellowship is part of a Creative Europe co-funded project, expanding access to a wider European cultural network
- Accommodation is not provided, but guidance is available
- The program supports experimental, critical, and socially engaged practices