Organizer Information
Wintertuin Curaçao is a literary and cultural organization dedicated to connecting people through storytelling, literature, and artistic exchange. It develops programs focused on talent development, education, and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on international collaboration and multidisciplinary practice. The residency is supported through Culture Moves Europe, the European Union’s mobility scheme for artists and cultural professionals, implemented by the Goethe-Institut under the Creative Europe framework.
Title & Description
Wintertuin Curaçao Open Call – Literary Professionals in Residence Program 2026
This 22-day international residency (1–23 September 2026) invites literary professionals to work in Willemstad, Curaçao, within a multilingual and multicultural Caribbean context. The program brings together four participants from across the Creative Europe network to explore how language, storytelling, and cultural identity shift across contexts.
The residency prioritizes artistic research, experimentation, and exchange over final production. Participants are encouraged to develop ideas, collaborate, engage with local literary ecosystems, and respond to Curaçao’s linguistic environment (Papiamentu, Dutch, English, Spanish). The program concludes with work-in-progress presentations during the Wintertuin Curaçao Festival (19 September 2026).
Categories
- Literature / Creative Writing
- Poetry
- Spoken Word
- Performance / Literary Performance
- Translation
- Songwriting / Rap / Music Writing
- Editorial Practice
- Publishing
- Literary Research
- Interdisciplinary Language-Based Practices
Eligibility
- Be 18 years or older
- Be active professionals in literary or language-based practices (writers, poets, spoken word artists, rappers, translators, editors, publishers, researchers, etc.)
- Reside in one of the Creative Europe eligible countries, OR specified Outermost Regions (ORs) or Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) listed in the call
- Be available for the full residency period (1–23 September 2026)
- Have interest in artistic research, collaboration, and cultural exchange
- Be able to communicate in English, Spanish, Dutch, or Papiamentu/Papiamento (at least one)
Exclusion: Applicants residing in the Kingdom of the Netherlands are not eligible.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Free accommodation in Willemstad, Curaçao (shared apartments, private bedrooms)
- Daily allowance of €30/day
- Travel allowance of €400–€800 (distance-dependent)
- Additional support (where applicable): green travel top-ups, visa costs, family support, accessibility needs, OCT/OR support
- Workspace and curatorial/mentorship support
- Access to local literary and cultural networks
- Participation in public and festival-related presentations
- Full artistic freedom during the residency
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit materials in Papiamentu, Dutch, English, or Spanish, typically including:
- Artistic CV or biography
- Portfolio of literary or performance work (writing samples, recordings, publications, etc.)
- Motivation statement (project interest, research focus, or artistic intent)
- Possibly additional supporting materials depending on form instructions (not fully specified in source text)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 July 2026
- Selection results announced: 26 July 2026 (via email)
- Residency period: 1 September – 23 September 2026
- Public Presentation: 19 September 2026
Location
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands
Additional Details
- The residency emphasizes process over final output, encouraging experimentation and research.
- Residents will engage with Curaçao’s multilingual cultural landscape (Papiamentu, Dutch, English, Spanish).
- Activities include workshops, community visits, collaborations, independent writing, and group reflection sessions.
- Accommodation consists of shared apartments with private rooms and shared living spaces near cultural venues and the city center.
- Participants retain full artistic freedom throughout the program.