Free Artist Residencies in Netherlands
21 residencies
21 fully funded residencies in Netherlands cover both housing and a stipend. These programs remove financial barriers entirely.

1646 Residency
Hague, Netherlands
The 1646 Residency, in collaboration with ReCNTR, offers a unique opportunity for artists and researchers to immerse themselves in a creative and intellectual environment. Located in the heart of The Hague, this residency is designed as a retreat to foster the development of new ideas and sustainable practices, drawing inspiration from the natural and social landscape. Open to both national and international applicants, the residency emphasizes experimentation and research over final outcomes, encouraging residents to engage with the local community and its rich history. With a focus on "thinking through making," it supports knowledge production through artistic and multimodal practices. The residency provides a studio, living space, access to facilities and a supportive community, aiming to nourish work and connections. It's a chance to unplug and dive deep into creative pursuits, with the support of curatorial and administrative assistance, and the opportunity for public presentation. This residency is a testament to the power of art to bridge cultures and explore new ways of being, making it a pivotal experience for those looking to expand their artistic and intellectual horizons.

AiR Tilburg
Tilburg, Netherlands
AiR Tilburg, run by the SEA Foundation in Tilburg, Netherlands, offers residency programs for visual artists, curators, and writers at all career stages, providing live/work studios for research, production, and professional development. Residencies typically last up to 3 months, with flexible options including short exploratory stays or extended development trajectories, and include public programs, exhibitions, and mentoring. Fully funded fellowships are available to select participants, covering studio use, stipends, production costs, and additional support.

Amsterdam City of Refuge
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam City of Refuge is a residency program in Amsterdam, Netherlands, likely part of the ICORN (International Cities of Refuge Network) initiative, offering temporary protective residencies for persecuted writers, journalists, and artists unable to work freely in their home countries. It provides grants for living costs, accommodation, access to public services, travel expenses, and professional networking support, with a standard duration of two years.

Amsterdam Writer-in-Residence
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Amsterdam Writer-in-Residence Programme, established in by the Dutch Foundation for Literature, offers international writers (novelists, poets, essayists, and children's book authors whose work has been translated into Dutch) a furnished apartment above the Athenaeum Bookshop in central Amsterdam, with access to the University of Amsterdam Library. Residents typically stay for 4-8 weeks, engage in their own writing and research, and participate in local literary events like readings or lectures. A residency grant is provided, though travel costs are generally not covered separately.

Art Futures
Athens, Netherlands
The Art Futures Fellowship is a prestigious program located in Athens, Greece, with an additional residency in Zutphen, the Netherlands. The fellowship aims to foster inclusive, socially engaged artistic practices. The program offers two-month residencies in fully equipped studio-apartments in both locations. It is open to artists from all disciplines, providing an immersive experience to create and showcase their work. Selected artists will have opportunities to engage with local contexts and participate in exhibitions, workshops, and symposia. Art Futures prioritizes sustainability and collaboration, facilitated by Research Fellow Georgios Papadopoulos in Athens and Artistic Director Marlise van der Jagt in Zutphen.
De Ateliers
Amsterdam, Netherlands
De Ateliers is an independent artists' institute in Amsterdam offering a two-year postgraduate studio and tutoring program for emerging visual artists, with individual feedback from renowned tutors, studios, stipend, production budget, housing, and facilities.

DE PROEF.
Majoor van Swietenlaan 15, Netherlands
Name of Residency: DE PROEF. ResidencyAt DE PROEF, we support artists and makers who are eager to explore nature-related subjects and have a clear vision for their work. Our residency offers a unique balance of freedom and guidance, tailored to each resident’s individual needs. Whether you thrive in self-directed exploration or benefit from structured support, we provide an inspiring environment where creativity, ecology, and craftsmanship intersect.Residents stay on our 8-hectare site in Freder
EE Exclusives
Heeze, Netherlands
EE Exclusives is a family-owned textile mill celebrating its 125th anniversary with the launch of the Textile Pioneer Program, a unique artist residency designed for emerging textile professionals eager to deepen their expertise and create at the intersection of craftsmanship and innovation. Located at Industrieweg 64, Heeze, Netherlands, this fully funded 9-week creative residency provides access to weaving facilities, a 125-year-old textile archive, and the opportunity to create professional woven prototypes on high-tech jacquard machines. The program includes 6 working days at the factory and 5 weeks of guided remote design development by expert team members including creative director, creative project manager, and jacquard designer. For 2025, applications are due June 15th with the program starting July-September. EE Exclusives has worked with renowned fashion houses including Viktor & Rolf and artists like Hella Jongerius, with collaborations featured in Museum Boijmans van Beuningen. The program emphasizes textile innovation beyond generations, combining traditional Dutch weaving heritage with cutting-edge techniques.

Eye Artist and Scholar in Residence
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Eye Artist and Scholar in Residence program at Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam invites artists and scholars to explore its vast collection of approximately 60,000 film titles, photos, posters, and archives, hosted at the Eye Collection Centre with access to research facilities, vaults, and ateliers. Participants develop projects leading to public presentations such as screenings, lectures, installations, or publications, with occasional open calls to diversify selections. Past residents have worked with themes like slapstick films and human behavior, culminating in exhibitions at Eye's project space.

Françoise van den Bosch Foundation
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Françoise van den Bosch Foundation offers an artist-in-residence program for international jewellery artists at Studio Rian de Jong in Amsterdam, providing a live/work studio apartment/workshop for three months (March 1 to May 31) and a €500 materials grant. Residents engage with Amsterdam's vibrant jewellery community, present work in a street vitrine, and document their experience via blog, Instagram, or report. The program, running since , selects one artist annually based on a work plan emphasizing international exchange.

Greylight Projects
Heerlen, Netherlands
Greylight Projects in Heerlen, Netherlands, is an artist-run residency program founded in , offering 3-month stays in a former school building to support multidisciplinary visual artists' research on themes like space, time, environment, and audience relations through installations, performances, video, sound, and other media. Residents receive guidance, participate in networking via Borderland Residencies or collaborations like schrit_tmacher Festival, and culminate in public presentations or open studios. The program provides studio-living spaces, workshops, garden, and exhibition areas in a dynamic community hub.

Impakt Works
Utrecht, Netherlands
Impakt Works is the residency program of IMPAKT Centre for Media Culture in Utrecht, Netherlands, focused on media artists working with digital media, video, sound, interactive technologies, and related fields in an interdisciplinary context. Residencies are typically project-based, lasting two months, with artists expected to complete a finished work such as a video, performance, or installation. The program provides accommodation, studio space, technical facilities, a per-diem stipend, and travel reimbursement, often in collaboration with networks like EMAP and EMARE.

Kunsthuis SYB
Beetsterzwaag, Netherlands
Kunsthuis SYB is an artist residency program in Beetsterzwaag, Netherlands, that provides artists with a six-week stay to conduct research, experiment, and foster new collaborations based on project proposals. It offers a furnished apartment, studio space, organizational support, artistic feedback, publicity, a project budget, and culminates in public weekend access and a final presentation.

S+T+ARTS
Berlin, Germany
S+T+ARTS (Science + Technology + Arts) is an initiative launched by the European Commission to foster alliances between science, technology, and the arts. This initiative aims to tackle the complex challenges of our times by integrating artistic practices into research and innovation processes. Through various programs and residencies, S+T+ARTS supports collaborative projects that address pressing societal issues such as sustainability, digital transformation, and social inclusiveness. The organization facilitates residencies, awards, and collaborative projects, connecting artists with scientists, technologists, and industry experts across Europe. S+T+ARTS residencies offer artists the opportunity to work in diverse environments, from high-tech laboratories to remote ecological sites, providing the resources and support needed to develop innovative solutions. These projects are designed to stimulate critical thinking, promote cross-disciplinary collaboration, and inspire new ways of addressing global challenges. S+T+ARTS is committed to promoting a sustainable future by aligning its projects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Deal. By supporting art-driven innovation, S+T+ARTS aims to enhance public awareness, drive policy changes, and contribute to the development of a more inclusive and resilient society.

Sonic Acts
Utrecht, Netherlands
Sonic Acts offers artist residencies focused on sound studies, new media, and electronic arts, often fully funded and including accommodation, fees, and access to events like the Sonic Acts Biennial. Programs such as 'The Walls Have Ears' take place in Amsterdam, while others like OVEREXPOSED x Lives of Deltas occur in Utrecht with online components. Residencies support researchers, artists, and scholars in developing writing projects, new artworks, or eco-acoustic practices.

Thami Mnyele Foundation
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Thami Mnyele Foundation, established in 1990, runs a three-month artists-in-residence program in Amsterdam for artists from Africa and the diaspora, focusing on contemporary visual arts including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video, film, audio, and multimedia to promote cultural exchange with the Netherlands. Residents receive free housing and studio space in a historic school building, a monthly stipend of around 900 euros for living and materials, travel reimbursement, insurance, and opportunities for networking. A shorter residency option exists for invited artists needing temporary accommodation without stipend or travel support.

Theatre in Palm
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Theatre in Palm Residencies offers a unique opportunity for emerging theatre artists to develop professionally and expand their networks across Europe. Hosted in 12 partner countries, these two-week residencies focus on collaboration, inspiration, and the creation of shareable works. Each residency will produce a co-production in various forms, emphasizing themes like social impact, equality, and environmental sustainability. Participants will receive travel, accommodation, and compensation. The program aims to foster cross-cultural exchanges and enhance the visibility of emerging artists in the European theatre scene.

United Cowboys
Eindhoven, Netherlands
United Cowboys offers an open residency program at their Art House in Eindhoven, providing artists from various disciplines the opportunity to develop, finalize, and present their work while fostering exchange with local artists, networks, and audiences. The program emphasizes mutual enrichment, collaboration across art forms, and public engagement through events like open rehearsals and quarterly Seasoning micro-festivals. Residencies support national and international artists with facilities including studios, performance spaces, accommodation, and no obligation to collaborate directly with United Cowboys.
Van Eyck Academie
Maastricht, Netherlands
The Jan van Eyck Academie is a multidisciplinary post-academic institute in Maastricht, Netherlands, offering an 11-month residency program that welcomes 30-42 participants annually from around the world. The residency supports artists, designers, architects, curators, writers, and other creative practitioners to develop, materialize, and disseminate their research through access to studios, specialized labs, and a collaborative community.

Van Gogh artist-in-residence
Zundert, Netherlands
The Van Gogh artist-in-residence program at the Vincent van Gogh Huis in Zundert invites contemporary artists to create works inspired by Vincent van Gogh's life and style during stays at locations like the Sexton’s House or Flemish Shed. Residents work in dedicated studios near Van Gogh's birthplace, culminating in exhibitions or open studios to showcase their output. The program aims to channel Van Gogh's spirit, encouraging artists to produce differently from their usual practice.

Vertalershuis Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Vertalershuis Amsterdam, or Translators' House Amsterdam, is a residency program for translators of Dutch-language literature and literary non-fiction, offering five studios with private bathrooms, internet-equipped computers, a library of Dutch literature, communal kitchen, and laundry facilities. Residents must have a contract with a foreign publisher and can stay from a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 2 months, with free accommodation (minus a small utility deduction), a €1000 monthly travel and working grant, and access to professional assistance. It is located in central Amsterdam near museums, publishers, and cultural hubs, and is financed by the Dutch Foundation for Literature.
More in Netherlands
Frequently asked questions
Are there free artist residencies in Netherlands?
Yes. Fully funded residencies in Netherlands provide both accommodation and a stipend at no cost. These are typically supported by government arts funding, foundations, or institutional endowments.
How competitive are free residencies in Netherlands?
Free residencies tend to be more competitive, with acceptance rates often below 10-15%. A strong portfolio and clear project proposal will strengthen your application.
Been to a residency in Netherlands?
Share your review