Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS

The Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS is for emerging designers (active for 1-4 years in design and maker culture) from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who independently develop creative or artistic products. This includes fashion designers, animators and comic artists, architects, or game designers. Creative entrepreneurs working on issues related to climate, nature, food, heritage, and sharing underrepresented stories are also eligible.

This open call is not intended for:

• Visual artists, (documentary) filmmakers, writers and journalists, theater makers, musicians and DJs, dancers, photographers
• Cultural organisations

Review the Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS for all conditions. Unsure if you are eligible? Join one of our online consultation hours on 13 March and 31 March or contact the Fund via emergingdesignpractices@stimuleringsfonds.nl.

Send an email before Monday April 7, 2025, 12:00 AST to emergingdesignpractices@stimuleringsfonds.nl with a motivation video or letter, your CV and portfolio. You will hear by Thursday April 17 whether you are invited to the pitch day. Applications can be submitted in Dutch or English.

Ten makers will be invited to pitch. They present their development question in 3 minutes. The jury will then ask questions and select four makers. The pitch day will be in English.

Selected makers write a development plan under guidance of the Fund. Upon approval, you receive a grant of € 25,000 to implement this plan over one year.

open call emerging design practices abcsss

The Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS contains detailed information about conditions, application process and assessment criteria.

consultation hours

On Thursday March 13 at 11:00 AST & Monday March 31 at 12:00 AST, we organise (English-language) consultation hours for makers considering applying. During these sessions, more information will be provided about the open call, application procedure and selection process. There will also be time for questions.

During the pitch day, applicants will be assessed based on their pitch (three minutes), answers to jury questions (five minutes) and submitted documents. The jury looks at:

• The applicant's artistic and reflective capacity

• The intended development direction of the applicant

• How new connections are made and outcomes are shared

The criteria are further explained in the Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS.

You can use the grant to deepen and professionalise your emerging design practice. This could include mentoring and coaching, workshops to learn or deepen skills, and creating and presenting new work.

You cannot use the grant for regular business costs or items that have value outside the development plan, such as equipment purchases.

do I need a Chamber of Commerce registration?

No, this is not required when applying. Only if you are selected must you provide a Chamber of Commerce extract with your development plan.

i do not live on Aruba, will I get travel expenses reimbursed?

Yes, if you are invited to the pitch day and do not live on Aruba, you will receive compensation for travel and accommodation costs. If you are ultimately selected, the Fund also contributes to travel and accommodation costs for mandatory programme components in the Netherlands.

can I combine the grant with studies?

No, you cannot receive a grant if you are enrolled in an official education programme during the grant period.

what if I have received funding before?

If you have previously received a grant for a personal development plan from the Creative Industries Fund NL or a Artist Start Grant from the Mondriaan Fund, you are not eligible for this open call. If you have participated in a pitch day before but were not selected, you may apply again if you meet the conditions.

Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS
Open Call Grant Scheme