Stimuleringsfonds

In August this year, the Open Call for Professionalisation and deepening of the practice was issued for the twelfth time. This open call offers designers and makers in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom the opportunity to develop a strong strategy for a future-proof design practice. In this edition, 23 projects have been selected.

30 October 2024

general impression

The level of the applications within this open call was high, according to the advisory committee. The committee was impressed by the relevant and pressing issues raised, such as creative independence and innovation. Many applicants were open about their own challenges and obstacles, and knew how to translate these into opportunities and solutions. The selected designers and makers succeeded in justifying their visions of the future and presented strategies that logically align with their further development. The committee also praised the diversity in the applications, both in terms of experience and background, and in the disciplines.

While the content of the proposals was strong, the committee also found that many makers and designers struggled to come up with realistic time planning and fair-pay budgets. In addition, the committee encourages the exploration of more innovative forms of knowledge sharing, where existing knowledge within the field is used and shared more actively.

selection

A few notable projects from this open call’s selection are:

SUFI Organic Textiles – Wool wanderings

Sufi Organic Textiles explores how ecosystems can supply the raw materials for textiles sustainably, with a focus on regenerative wool in the south of the Netherlands. This project aims to set up an industrial production chain for this wool. For this purpose, Sufi is engaging with British Wool to translate their cooperative model to the Dutch context, and with Lottozero in Italy to explore the production possibilities for yarns and knitwear. The aim is to develop a concrete plan of action, which can be directly implemented in 2025 within the project (grond)stoffen, where wool products are made.

Tympani – Tympani Professionalization and Deepening the Practice

Tympani, led by Adam Foxwell, focuses on professionalising acoustic technologies by developing digital tools that bring together architecture, gaming, media and mixed-reality simulations. During this process, Tympani examines existing audio and acoustic tools from different sectors and tests how these tools can be applied in new ways, across disciplines. By developing new applications and exploring licensing models, they are strengthening their business plan and improving both their technical and commercial strategy. This approach professionalises the platform and makes it more responsive to market needs.

Derk Over – Professionalization and Deepening of the Practice Derk Over

Designer Derk Over plans to follow a learning programme with Jochen Lange and Laurie Drew at Portal Collective to further professionalise his post-human non-binary drag practice. As part of the programme, Derk learns how to make physical prototypes for costumes, as well as lightweight wearable volumes. These are then presented at .Zip. After two months of guidance, .Zip takes over the learning programme and helps with the exhibition, engaging the audience in a role-playing experience. This programme gives Derk the tools and knowledge to further develop and professionally expand his drag practice, with an innovative approach to interaction and performance.

You can see all the selected projects here.

assessment

The applications were assessed by four external and independent advisers: Anne-Marie Geurink, Gyonne Zafira, Jacqueline Moors and Jasper Schütz. To arrive at a selection, the advisers assessed the extent to which the proposals were consistent in purpose and design and how well they fit in with the theme of this call and the Open Call Grant Scheme.

The following criteria were used:
a. the artistic significance of the practice
b. the extent to which the approach aligns with the professionalisation goal
c. the quality of the contribution of the partners/advisers involved
d. the keenness of the reflection on the expected added value for a more future-proof practice

For the first time, a regional distribution key was used for this open call. This means that there was room for each region to award a grant to at least one positively assessed application. The remaining spots were awarded based on the highest-scoring positively rated applications on the ranking list. Applications were selected from the regions of Drenthe, Gelderland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland.

numbers

From the 43 applications taken into consideration, 23 proposals were selected. This brings the percentage of applications receiving grants to 53%. The selected projects are spread across the disciplines as follows: 14 in design, 3 in architecture, 1 in digital culture and 5 interdisciplinary projects.

A budget of € 182,500 was available for this edition of the Open Call Professionalisation and deepening of the practice. The maximum contribution per proposal was € 8,250.