Open Call — Buitenkans
AN INVITATION TO CREATE NEW WORK IN THE PUBLIC SPACE AND A PLAYGROUND FOR EMERGING MAKERS TO TEST TRY AND SURPRISE AT NOORDERZON 2026
Buitenkans is a development trajectory for artists who want to experiment, test new ideas, sharpen their artistic language and engage with a broad, curious and unfiltered audience.
Noorderzon invites you to create new work in the public space and to explore what performance can be in the open, unpredictable environment of the city during Noorderzon Festival 2026.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Makers based in Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland that
- Are in the early stages of your artistic path — or mid-career and feeling the urge to shift, stretch or reinvent your practice
- Feel artistic urgency. You’re curious about what happens when your work meets a spontaneous, unfiltered audience
- Are willing to experiment, take risks, and be guided within the unpredictable dynamics of public space
We welcome artists from all disciplines — as long as the work has a performative heart
WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECT PLANS.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR COURAGE. CURIOSITY. PLAY. SURPRISE. FRICTION.
WE OFFER YOU
- Guidance & support: coaching from local and international experts
- Budget & stage: A project fee and production budget with multiple presentation moments during Noorderzon Festival 2026
- Visibility & audience: Promotion through Noorderzon’s channels and direct contact with a diverse festival audience of 140,000+ visitors
TO APPLY – SEND US
THE FOLLOWING TO
BUITENKANS@NOORDERZON.NL
OPEN CALL CLOSES 14 MARCH
- A motivation (max. 1 page): why you want to work in the public space, and why now
- A short description of your idea or research focus (max. 2 pages)
- A brief CV or overview of your artistic practice
- Optional: links or material documenting earlier work
TIMELINE
- February–April 2026: Open call, selection and orientation conversations
- 15 March: Closing open call
- 1 till 15 April: interviews
- April–July 2026: Development and production
