Kunstvl_

Shaping the future of experimental art initiatives — together.

Kunstvlaai 2026 is more than a manifestation: it is a collective process. Guided by the DIT (Do It Together) method, we are building—together—a widely supported moment of visibility and reinforcement for the experimental art field.

Drawing on insights from our two DIT Assemblies (May and June 2025), we are creating a manifestation in which art, collectivity, democracy, and visible experimentation are central. We invite your organisation not only to participate, but to become a co-owner of this process and the final manifestation.

What participation offers your organisation

By taking part in Kunstvlaai, you join a national network and a unique manifestation expected to attract 6,000–10,000 visitors in Utrecht.

Visibility: a prominent place in a large-scale nationwide manifestation.
Network: connection with 50–60 other experimental art initiatives and entities from across the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Knowled exchange: learn from one another and share strategies and expertise.
Media exposure: nationwide attention.
Sector value: together we highlight the importance of experimental organisations and strengthen the position of our field.

Contribute by exhibiting, programming, or producing

We ask each initiative to submit a proposal for its contribution. You may propose an exhibition component, a public programme element, and/or a production-based contribution.

1 — Exhibition contribution

Submit an idea for a presentation in which your organisation’s voice is expressed through an artistic project.
Show one artwork or project from the past 2–3 years that you consider essential and representative of your practice, or a project that will be shown soon.
Request: consider public activation and shared ownership. How can visitors actively participate, co-create, or engage with your contribution so they feel welcome and recognised? We also encourage involving your own community—perhaps in the presentation itself or in audience engagement. This allows visitors to experience the richness of each individual network.

We particularly welcome proposals that embody rebellion, elusiveness, and a strong point of view, with an emphasis on the visible experiment.

2 — Optional: Programme Proposal
Would you like to organise a library, film night, themed evening, or auction?
Submit your idea!
We envision a layered programme space for debate, exchange, and collaboration. Consider workshops, discussions, performances, screenings, night-time programming, digital access (e.g., livestreams), or interventions in public space.

Societal impact: the programme aims to present art for art’s sake while also stimulating dialogue within society—for example through collaborations with nonprofits, academies, or local initiatives.
Audience: think about how you will reach and involve your audience.
Request: ensure reciprocity is a guiding principle in any collaboration.

3 — Optional: Production Contribution
Develop a concept that gives an artistic dimension to a production task—such as entrance, catering, cleaning, or set-up & breakdown—making labour and care visible.

We do not want to separate “production work” from artistic content, but instead weave them together. This is an opportunity to bring diverse groups into contact and strengthen the impact of the manifestation.

Examples include artistic approaches to: Visitor reception, catering, set-up and dismantling, cleaning, security, the entrance area

How can your contribution highlight the visibility and value of labour and care, and in doing so enhance collectivity?

Meaningful roles: all roles—production roles included—can carry artistic significance.

4 — Share the Invitation
Please share this invitation within your network with experimental organisations, initiatives, and entities that, in your view, should not be missing from this manifestation.

The Process: From Proposal to Manifestation

Step 1 — Registration
Submit your proposal no later than 10 December 2025 via the online form.
The form helps you present your plans clearly and completely.

Step 2 — Collective development
Submitted proposals form the starting point for fundraising and further content and production development. Participation is in principle free of charge. Costs for your own presentation and fees for artists and staff (following artist fee guidelines) are the responsibility of each participating initiative or entity.

A small contribution to shared facilities—such as exhibition walls or electricity—may be requested depending on fundraising outcomes.

Step 3 — Co-decision
To guide the process and safeguard artistic quality and direction, an Artistic Advisory Committee will be formed, consisting of representatives from participating organisations (approx. 3 meetings of 3 hours). Indicate via the form if you’d like to join the committee.

Practical Details & Registration

Registration deadline
— 10 December 2025

Intended location
— KABUL à GoGo, Werkspoorgebied, Utrecht

Manifestation dates
— 14–18 October 2026

Opening hours

Wed: 17:00–19:00 (opening)
Thu & Fri: 12:00–18:00
Sat: 12:00–21:00
Sun: 12:00–18:00

Contact and registration
— info@kunstvlaai.nl

Questions or support with your proposal
— Monique Portegies (Project Lead) 06–25 15 65 05 / monique@kunstvlaai.nl

Content-related inquiries
— Yasser Ballemans (Artistic Director) 06–41 49 95 94 / yasser@kunstvlaai.nl