Stimuleringsfonds

The Scout Night ABCSSS is for emerging designers or makers based in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, or Sint Maarten. During the scout night, which is organized on one of the islands in the Caribbean part of the kingdom, makers pitch their project and have the chance to receive a grant to professionalize their practice.

More information about the 2025 scout night will be announced later. Do you already have a question? Contact us at scoutnightsABCSSS@stimuleringsfonds.nl.

For whom?

Emerging designers or makers based in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.

For what?

The Scout Night ABCSSS is aimed at designers and makers who independently develop cultural or artistic products and want to deepen and professionalize their emerging practice.

How much?

If you are selected during the scout night, you will receive €1,000 and guidance to develop a development plan. Based on this development plan, you will receive a grant of €25,000 to implement your plan.

How and when to apply?

For the scout night, you apply by sending a short video to scoutnightsABCSSS@stimuleringsfonds.nl. In this video, tell us: who you are, what you make, and how long you have been working. Also include your contact details, CV, and a few images of your work in the email. These can be sketches or a link to a website.

During the scout night, you pitch your plan. Based on the pitches, the jury selects a number of makers who receive €1,000 to develop a development plan – under the guidance of the Creative Industries Fund NL. Subsequently, you receive a grant of €25,000 to actually implement this plan.

Good to know

- The scout night is intended for emerging designers or makers. Think of fashion designers, animators and comic artists, art directors, media and digital artists. But also creative entrepreneurs who work on issues related to climate, nature, food, heritage, and sharing underexposed stories are eligible.
- In preparation for the scout night, you can participate in one of the orientation sessions. During these sessions, more information is provided about the application procedure, and you receive advice for pitching your plans.
- The scout night takes place annually on one of the islands. Participants who do not live on the respective island receive compensation for travel and accommodation.

Conditions

To apply, you must meet a few conditions:

- You are based in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, or Sint Maarten.
- You are 18 years or older.
- You are active within the design and maker culture.
- You are ready to work for a year on independently setting up and further developing your artistic practice.