Open Call Residency Suriname 2027

This residency is inspired by the Surinamese notion of alakondre, literally meaning 'all countries'. The term symbolizes living together in cultural diversity and emphasizes the power of coexisting differences. In Suriname, alakondre comes to life in the way in which diverging traditions, languages and world views influence each other, overlap and sometimes cause friction.

Rather than simply promoting harmony, alakondre acknowledges historical inequalities, cultural sensitivities, and tensions ensuing from colonial and socio-economic realities. This context demands openness and critical awareness of your position as a creative practitioner. Personal stories – whether family history or questions of identity – can provide powerful entry points for exploration. The residency locations challenge makers to expand their practice and create work that contributes to Suriname's evolving cultural conversation.

three locations

A network of local partners supports the residency across three unique sites: Paramaribo, Moengo and Frederiksdorp. Each location brings its own cultural, historical and social context.

Moving between these places creates opportunities for deeper engagement, meaningful encounters, and working from multiple perspectives—all essential for a residency focussed on connection, diversity and collective practice.

exchange with local makers

At each location, a local maker selected by Surinamese partner organisations will work alongside you during your stay. This simultaneous presence creates natural opportunities for creative exchange and dialogue.

• You are an individual designer, architect or spatial practitioner.

• You are established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (the Netherlands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius or Sint Maarten).
• You are registered in the register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce or one of the business registers within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• You have run a professional practice within the creative industries for at least four years.

This open call is not for:

• duos, collectives, or collaborative partnerships;
• current recipients of Talent Development Grant Scheme, the Open Call Self-taught Designer or the Open Call Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS.
  Please note: this means that if you receive a grant for this open call, you will not be able to submit an application under the grant schemes and open calls named above in 2027.

In order to prepare the application, it is important to acquire the right information based on the following documents:

open call residency suriname

Applications are assessed on the basis of the Open Call Residency Suriname 2027. This describes the purpose and objective, key questions, criteria and procedure.

open call grant scheme

Applications are also assessed on the basis of the Open Call Grant Scheme, which describes the general conditions, grounds for rejection, manner of publication, submission procedure, assessment, the award and any grant obligations.

All submitted applications that meet the formal requirements and are provided with all requested attachments will be presented to an external advisory committee. The advisory committee will make an assessment based on the following criteria:

• the artistic quality of the work;
• the quality of the development plan;
• the motivation in relation to the residency's objective.

acceptance

When you have submitted your application, the Fund will check if your application complies with the formal requirements of the Open Call Grant Scheme.

assessment

An independent advisory committee will evaluate your application on the basis of the criteria and requirements set out in the Open Call Residency Suriname 2027 and the Open Call Grant Scheme. The committee advises the Fund’s Board.

ranking

The assessment of this open call takes the form of a tender: proposals are ranked based on the criteria and only positively assessed applicants are eligible for a residency position. The highest-scoring proposal will be awarded.

decision

The board takes account of the advisory committee’s advice in its decision on the rejection or provision of a grant. The fund will inform you of the decision no later than eight weeks after the closing date.

Open Call Residency Suriname 2027
Open Call Grant Scheme