Call for applications: Tilting Axis Fellowship 2025

Nieuwe Instituut and Tilting Axis are launching the fifth iteration of the Fellowship program for applicants based in the Caribbean. The initiative aims to foster and support research-based practices and stimulate mutual exchange between the Caribbean region and the Dutch cultural field. Together with the leading partners - Nieuwe Instituut and Tilting Axis - other cultural institutions including Amsterdam Museum, De Appel, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and Kunstinstituut Melly will engage with the selected applicant during the Fellowship.

About the Fellowship

This Fellowship focuses on applicants living and working within the Caribbean region offering the space to think through research and practice. The selected applicant will be based in Rotterdam at the Nieuwe Instituut and have access to other partner cultural institutions in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

The Fellowship will be developed through independent research; augmented by individual support and interaction with the Research team at the Nieuwe Instituut; participate in monthly meetings to discuss thematic and methodological aspects of the project; and will engage in diverse collaborations with partner institutions.

Applicants are invited to submit a proposal that addresses their current investigations and research interests through the lens of architecture, design, and digital culture.

Read more about the past editions of the Tilting Axis Fellowship with Fellow Sean Leonard in 2020-2021, Fernando Martirena and Anadis González in 2021-2022, Israel Mapp in 2023, and Klieon John in 2024.

For whom?

A researcher, designer, writer, curator, or cultural producer based in the Caribbean region who is interested in building new links with cultural institutions in the Netherlands, and developing the research practice around themes related to architecture, spatial practice, design or digital culture.

Neither a curriculum vitae nor letters of recommendation are requested. The Fellowship is open to all degree-levels in design, architecture, and digital culture. Equal priority will be given to those without a degree or institutional affiliation who can also demonstrate a high levels of creativity, critical thought, and other potential in their respective fields. There is no age limit for applicants.

Artists who are residents of and based in the following countries can apply: Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, St. Barthélemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Saint Martin, Sint Martin, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands.

Resources offered by the Fellowship

• Stimulate and visualise curatorial, design, and artistic realities coming from the Caribbean region;
• Enhance knowledge exchange and collaboration with a cross-section of Dutch cultural institutions;
• Network and exchange with a variety of platforms for professional experience;
• Produce critical knowledge on inter-disciplinary exchanges as well as visual culture;
• Offer practical support for travel to the Netherlands;
• Engage with hosting and collaborating institutions to interrogate and challenge their institutional structures and methodologies;

Utilise the existing Tilting Axis network.

The Fellow will be invited to make a series of presentations in Rotterdam & Amsterdam at host and partner institutions on their research/practice;

Produce a monthly text/sound/video/photo essay as potential options to be discussed with the Fellow. The fellow’s research could lead to an installation, exhibition, or further events at partner institutions during or after the Fellowship;Write a final reflective report on the Fellowship experience. This is required and will be posted on the websites of Tilting Axis and the Nieuwe Instituut, with links to the partner institutions.

The Fellow is not expected to produce an outcome or finished artwork or product but will be encouraged to present their ongoing research interests to the public whilst in the Netherlands. The research will also be published via the Nieuwe Instituut and partner institutions’ websites, newsletters, or other publications.

Research Stipend and traveling to the Netherlands

Nieuwe Instituut will grant a total stipend of €12,000 to cover living expenses and, in addition to the stipend, will cover one round-trip airfare from any country within the Caribbean to the Netherlands. Accommodation costs will be reimbursed to the fellow in the Netherlands for a maximum of €800 per month. Stipends may be subject to a withholding tax.

Government policies regarding visa restrictions will be adhered to. This means that Fellows who can only reside in the Netherlands for 90 days, will undertake their fellowship partly remotely.

Crossovers programme

This Fellowship is part of the Nieuwe Instituut’s crossovers programme that aims to stimulate the international exchange of knowledge and research through collaborative fellowships, events, exhibitions, and publications involving designers, researchers, and partners across the world. Broader alliances can contribute to cultural and political change, and eventually to policy adjustments.

Apply

The Open Call for 2025 is available from May 30, 2024, with a deadline for submission on June 30, 2024. Proposals should be submitted to ta-fellowship [​at​] nieuweinstituut.nl with the subject Tilting Axis Fellowship 2024.

To be considered, proposals should include the following information:

An introductory video, max 3 minutes, in which applicants introduce themselves, their initial project idea, and what inspired them to apply.

A written proposal of max 1000 words in which applicants detail: a statement of intent which should explain the applicant’s research focus and its methodology, highlighting its connection to architecture, design, or digital culture; the relation between their interests and at least two of the hosting partners and institutions; the proposal should be content-driven and can be based on already existing research or offer new projects;a proposed working calendar with availability to take up the fellowship from February - July 2025; Relevant documentation of previous work (maximum 10 works), and/or links to audio or video files (maximum 5 minutes) in PDF format with an accompanying caption list.

Proposals should be written in English and applicants must have a working knowledge of English. While we understand that English proficiency may vary or that English may not be the applicant’s first or primary language, unfortunately, we are unable to offer translation support at this time. Applicants with specific questions are encouraged to contact ta-fellowship [​at​] nieuweinstituut.nl about the availability of any support service.

Selection process

Proposals will be considered by an international committee including the Tilting Axis and the Nieuwe Instituut teams and representatives from the partner institutions including curators, academics, and museum professionals.

The review committee includes:
• Tijn van de Wijdeven (Nieuwe Instituut)
• Holly Bynoe (ARC Magazine, Sour Grass and Tilting Axis co-founder)
• Annalee Davis (Visual Artist and Founding Director of Fresh Milk, Sour Grass and Tilting Axis co-founder)
• Jessy Koeiman (Curator of Collective Learning, Kunstinstituut Melly)
• Mark Raymond (Director of the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa)
• Lara Khaldi (Director at De Appel)
• Imara Limon (Curator, Amsterdam Museum & Silke Kamp, Curator-in-Training)
• Charl Landvreugd (Head of Research and Curatorial Practice, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with members of the selection committee. Candidates must hold the dates July 10th and July 11th, 2024 for the interview.