Development Residencies
The pillar of our residency programme
Our Development Residencies offer contemporary artists a unique opportunity to deepen and broaden their artistic practice during an intensive six-week work residency. These residencies are open to both promising and established artists and are the focus of our residency programme.
An international and diverse programme
We host around thirty-six artists annually, spread over four periods with nine residents each. The international and experimental profile of our residents ensures an inspiring diversity of artistic practices and encourages valuable exchanges between artists.
Support
The residency begins with a series of introductory demonstrations in our printmaking studios. Throughout the working period, our studio coordinators are on hand on weekdays to provide technical guidance and support. At the same time, we encourage residents to work independently and carry out their projects autonomously.
Our Development Residencies are a platform for experimentation, innovation and artistic growth in a stimulating and professional environment.
Inspiration and reflection
During the Development Residencies, we regularly organize discussions with our artistic team, fellow residents and visiting tutors. These sessions offer residents the chance to get feedback, exchange ideas and further develop their work. At the same time, there is plenty of room for reflection, concentration and experimentation in the studios. Our location in a quiet, wooded area also provides an inspiring context that is often considered an added bonus.
Development and creation
The focus of a Development Residency is, as the name suggests, on development and creation in our professionally equipped printmaking studios. Residents have access to a wide range of techniques, including gravure, relief printing, screen-printing, lithography, typography and digital methods such as riso, lasercut and UV printing. Prior knowledge of graphic techniques is not required; our team is ready to provide technical support where needed.
Sample planning Development Residency
One month before the start of your residency, we will schedule an online introductory meeting to prepare you for the residency. Below is a rough overview of what to expect during the six weeks of a Development Residency.
Week 1: Introduction
- Introduction to fellow residents and the MASEREEL team.
- Hands-on introductions to various graphics techniques.
Week 2 to Week 6: Working independently
- During these weeks, you will work independently on your project in the studios.
- Our studio coordinators are available on weekdays for guidance and support.
Week 3: Individual meetings with a visiting tutor
- Meeting with a visiting artist for personal feedback and inspiration.
Week 4: Mid-term review (CRIT)
- Meeting with fellow residents and the MASEREEL team to discuss your progress and exchange ideas.
Week 5: Individual interviews with a visiting tutor
- Meeting with a visiting curator to deepen and reflect on your work.
Week 6: Completion and presentation
- Informal showcase moment of your work.
- Collection moment: discussion of the work you donate to our Collection
- Settlement of expenses and tidying up of your workplace.
Price and facilities
Access to studios
A Development Residency provides extensive access to our professionally equipped studios, from Monday to Saturday (08:00 – 20:00). This includes:
- Multiple demonstrations of graphic techniques.
- Basic materials and technical support.
- A side programme focused on meeting and dialogue.
Materials:
- A limited selection of paper is available for sale on-site.
- You should bring your own specific paper and inks.
- For use of the digital studio, we charge cost price only.
Accommodation:
Each resident will have an individual mini-apartment in our brand new artist pavilion.
- Amenities: sheets, towels, washing machine and drying machine.
- Family members: Partners and children are welcome at no extra cost.
More information on the Accommodation page.
Funding:
The quality accompaniment provided during our Development Residencies is a labour- and cost-intensive task. Thanks to the basic subsidy from the Flemish Community, we can limit the participation fee for a six-week residency to €2,500. This covers about 1/8th of the actual total cost.
We encourage artists to seek additional funding for the participation fee as well as for costs such as transport, food and materials.
Selection process
The next Open Call will take place in the autumn of 2025 (for residencies taking place in the second half of 2026). Applications can be made digitally in Dutch or English via our online application form.
Requirements for your application:
- An artistic statement (situating your practice).
- A clearly formulated artistic proposal.
- A well-founded motivation letter.
- A recent portfolio (work no older than five years).
- A concise CV.
Please note: maximum 10 MB per attachment.
Selection process:
Applications are assessed by a selection committee consisting of the director and the residency coordinator as well as external art professionals (artists, curators, etc.).
Evaluation criteria:
- Quality and positioning
The quality of the artistic work, your positioning as an artist in relation to others and the world, as well as the ability to experiment and challenge your own practice.
- Artistic proposal
The significance and urgency of your artistic proposal.
- Motivation
Your motivation to participate in the MASEREEL residency work and its added value for your practice.
The result of the selection process will be announced in early 2026.
Important:
- Collaboration: Are you collaborating with another artist? If so, each of you must submit a separate application, mentioning the collaboration. If selected, both artists will pay the full participation fee.
- Family members: Partners and children are welcome at no extra cost. Please do mention this in your application.
- Language: Communication within MASEREEL is in Dutch and English. We expect all residents to have a sufficient command of English to enable consultation and collaboration.
- Application: This can only be done via the online form on our website.
Practical documents
- Inventory of our studios
- House rules – this document will be available when the Open Call starts.