The municipality of Ixelles launches an open call for from Wednesday 5 April to Monday 24 April 2023 to grant the use of the municipal short-term artists’ studio, also known as “european residency”, of the KULT XL Ateliers network to visual artists.
The artist studio located at rue Wiertz 21a in 1050 Ixelles, in the heart of the European quarter, and will be made available for the following 4 timeslots:
- 01/07/2023 – 30/09/2023
- 01/10/2023 – 31/12/2023
- 01/01/2024 – 31/03/2024
- 01/04/2024 – 30/06/2024
This type of studio is exclusively for visual artists who are NOT resident in Belgium, but are European citizens and reside in one of the European member states.
Exceptionally and until the end of the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian artists residing in Ukraine or in a European Union member state other than Belgium may also apply for the short-term studio.
Who can apply?
The call is open to visual artists who:
- are NOT resident in Belgium, but are European citizens and reside in one of the European member states.
- Exceptionally and until the end of the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian artists residing in Ukraine or in a European Union member state other than Belgium will also be allowed to file for the short-term studio ;
- are of age (18 years) at the time of the call;
- are not enrolled in a higher education institution, university or academy of fine arts awarding professional bachelor, master and doctoral degrees;
- have a professional artistic practice : this means that the artistic practice is the main professional activity of the candidate;
- are not represented by a gallery
Each candidate may submit only one application.
Please note that applications can only be submitted in either French or Dutch.
Collective applications are accepted, on the condition that each member of the collective meets the eligibility criteria. Members of a collective are not allowed to also submit an individual application for the same call.
Artists who have already benefited from a municipal artist studio in the past are not allowed to submit an application again.
What do the selected artists receive?
The laureates of this call can count on:
- the use of a municipal workspace for a period of 3 consecutive months ;
- the use of the exhibition space located at rue Wiertz 23 in 1050 Ixelles to organise exhibitions and events during the period of their residence, subject to the availability of the space and in agreement with the Culture Department;
- communication support: presentation of the artists in residence on the culture website and social media platforms of the municipality, publicity about the exhibitions and events that the artist organizes and/or is a part of;
- workshops and networking opportunities with members from the cultural field;
- if applicable, technical assistance for setting up and dismantling their exhibition or activity held in the exhibition hall located in the rue Wiertz 23 in 1050 Ixelles, for a maximum of 4 days (2 days for montage and 2 days for demontage);
- if applicable, the organisation of a vernissage.
What obligations do the selected artists have?
From the moment one accepts the grant, they commit themselves to:
- to take out fire, water damage and civil liability insurance for their personal belongings, working materials and artworks stored in their municipal studio;
- pay a deposit of EUR 1,000 to cover any damage caused during the occupation of the workshop. (This amount will be refunded at the end of the residency);
- pay the utility bills (water, gas, electricity, heating) as described in their contract;
Compliance with these conditions is essential in order to make full use of the allocation municipal workspace.
IMPORTANT: The studio is a workspace only. The municipality of Ixelles does not provide a housing allowance. Applicants must find their own residence in Brussels for the duration of their residency.
How can I apply?
The complete application file must be submitted via the online form (in French or in Dutch) providing the following documents :
- the completed and signed application form (in French or in Dutch);
- a short portfolio including about ten photographic reproductions of works and/or exhibition views from the candidate;
- if applicable, a document including max. 5 links redirecting to video works and/or performances of the candidate;
- a curriculum vitae of the candidate;
- if applicable, a curriculum vitae of every member of the artist collective that is submitting a joint application.
If any of the required documents are missing, the application will be considered incomplete and will be immediately eliminated.
Please note that applications can only be submitted in either French or Dutch.
The complete application file must be submitted by Monday April 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM.
On which criteria will the applications be assessed?
- Relevant links to the guidelines described in the Cultural Policy Plan ‘Co’ 2020-2025 and in the majority agreement of the municipality of Ixelles in force at the time of the call (50/100): The residency project shares the values of the municipality and aligns with at least 2 pillars of the cultural policy plan “CO” 2020-2025 ;
- Artistic quality (30/100) : The quality of the works by the candidate, according to the assessment of the jury members;
- Methodological quality (20/100): The residency project is realistic and feasible within the time allotted for the residency.
Who evaluates my application?
A pre-selection jury composed of (5) members of the municipal administration evaluates all applications received. This jury consists of the visual arts project manager, the head of the Culture Department, the head of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the director of the École des Arts of Ixelles and the chief conservator of the Museum d’Ixelles. Pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview with the selection jury in mid-May. (online)
A selection jury of (8) members will assess the applications and meet the pre-selection candidates before sharing their evaluation with the College of Mayor and Aldermen. This jury consists of the director of the École des Arts of Ixelles, the chief conservator of the Museum d’Ixelles, a representative of the academic sector, a visual artist, a journalist, a curator, a representative of the citizens and a representative of the European institutions. The selection of the laureates of the call will be announced early June 2023.
How should I submit my application?
The complete application must be submitted via the website culture.ixelles.be (in French or in Dutch) before 10:00 AM on Monday April 24, 2023.
Applications may also be submitted as follows:
- by sending the official registration form, together with the portfolio and CV, by post or by registered mail to the College of Mayor and Aldermen, p/a the Culture Department, Chaussée d’Ixelles 168, 1050 Ixelles, with the postmark as proof of receipt;
- or by personal delivery of the registration form and artistic file to the place indicated on the official registration form, against receipt;
Any application submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
Applications submitted by e-mail are not admissible and will not be considered.
More information
Two information sessions will be organised online on the following dates: Wednesday April 12, 2023 at 12:30 and Wednesday April 19, 2023 at 17:00. Please email the Culture Department (culture@ixelles.brussels) to register and to receive a link to the online info session.
An FAQ is available on this website where answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found.
Contact person for this call:
Mathieu Menten, Visual Arts Project Manager, mathieu.menten@ixelles.brussels – 02 515 64 09
