OPEN CALL Development Residency 2026–27

Jester invites artists to apply for our Development Residencies for the working year 2026–27. These residencies support artists who wish to deepen their practice through focused research and experimentation.

Our programme combines material support, time, and dialogue, and encourages residents to explore new trajectories. Jester is located in a quiet environment on the former mining site C-mine, offering the ideal setting for concentrated work.

Apply through this link.
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Download all info.

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RESIDENCY STRUCTURE

The residency lasts 4 months and is divided into three distinct phases:

1. Preparation Phase (1 month – remote)

A remote month consisting of digital check-ins with the Jester team.
This phase is designed to set up communication, discuss practicalities and material needs, align expectations, ensure that both the artist and the Jester team are well prepared before arrival.

2. Residency Phase at Jester (2 months – in-person)

A fully on-site period in Genk during which residents live in the Jester residency house, work in an individual studio (26–60 m², allocated according to need), access the wood, metal, ceramics, and digital workspaces, focus intensively on the proposed project and their wider practice.

This is a period for concentration, experimentation, and engagement with the locality of Genk.

3. Wrap-Up Phase (1 month – remote)

After leaving Genk, residents receive one month of remote support focused on handling invoices and payments, organising the transport or shipment of artworks, managing documentation, administrating final production tasks.

This ensures a smooth and supported conclusion to the residency.
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RESIDENCY CYCLES FOR 2026–27

The Residency Phase at Jester is offered in the following cycles:
Cycle 1: Mid-June → Mid-August
Cycle 2: Mid-October → Mid-December
Cycle 3: Mid-February → Mid-April

(Not including Preparation an Wrap-Up phase)
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WHAT JESTER OFFERS

Honorarium

€3,000 gross for individual artists
€5,000 gross for duos
€7,000 gross for collectives

Production Budget

€5,000 per residency

This budget covers the complete cost of the residency. Depending on the resident in question, part of the budget is reserved for travel, communication and hospitality purposes.
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ACCOMODATION

Residents stay in Jester’s residence house, located next to the studios and workshops.
Includes: bedrooms (14 m²), shared kitchen, communal living room, garden, library.

STUDIOS & FACILITIES

-Individual studios (26 / 39 / 60 m²), allocated based on project needs.
-Access to wood, metal, ceramics, and digital workshops.
-Possibility to work with LUCA C-mine’s production facilities (depending on availability).

COACHING & MENTORHIP

Each resident can develop their own coaching programme, in conversation with the Jester team. The production budget may be used to organise workshops to learn new skills, invite professionals for studio visits, seek mentoring from artistic or sector experts, …

WHO CAN APPLY

We welcome proposals from artists working in contemporary visual arts.

We are looking for artists who:
-Want to explore new directions or research questions
-Are open to engaging with the local context of Genk
-Can work independently in a quiet environment
-Value reflection, experimentation, and process
-See the benefit of dedicated time and space for their practice

We strongly encourage applications from artists of diverse backgrounds and recognise that different forms of experience, education, and practice are valid.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are evaluated by an external jury, selected and announced after the closing of the open call.

Selection is based on:
-relevance and clarity of the proposal
-artistic strength and urgency
-feasibility within the residency structure
-alignment with Jester’s values and context
-the potential benefit of the residency for the artist’s development

A shortlist of ten artists will be invited to present their application to the Jester team, after which the final selection of residents will be made, taking into account the feasibility of the proposed project, the suitability of the residency environment, and the overall balance of the programme.

Please note: due to the high number of submissions, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted exclusively through our Google Form.
We cannot accept applications via e-mail.

You will be asked to provide:
-General information about yourself and your practice
-Residency proposal (intentions, methods, needs)
-Portfolio (uploaded through the form)

Only applications submitted through the official form will be considered.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS

-The residency is in-person only.
-A contract will be signed outlining expectations, working conditions, and support structures.
-Artists keep full intellectual property rights to their work.
-Jester may use documentation (images, video) of the residency for communication purposes, always with credit.

QUESTIONS?

For questions about the open call or the residency structure, please contact info@jester.be

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