MASEREEL

Our Development Residencies are the main focus of our residency programme: contemporary artists get a unique opportunity to deepen and broaden their artistic practice during an intensive six-week residency. These residencies are open to both promising and established artists.

Our Open Call for Development Residencies in 2026 was closed on October 21, 2025. The next Open Call will take place in Spring 2026.

International and intergenerational

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 and autonomy

Each residency begins with a series of introductory demonstrations in our printmaking studio. 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.

Dialogue and reflection

During each Development Residency, 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 studio. Our location in a quiet, wooded area also provides an inspiring context that is often considered an added bonus.

Prior knowledge of printmaking techniques not required

The focus of a Development Residency is, as the name suggests, on development and creation in our professionally equipped printmaking studio. 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 printmaking techniques is not required; our team is ready to provide technical support where needed.

Schedule

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 printmaking techniques.

Week 2 to Week 6: Working independently

• During these weeks, you will work independently on your project(s) in our studio.
• Our studio coordinators are available on weekdays for guidance and support.

Week 3: Visiting tutor

• Individual meeting with a visiting artist, with focus on process and development.

Week 4: Mid-term review (CRIT)

• Meeting with fellow residents and the MASEREEL team to discuss your progress and exchange ideas.

Week 5: Visiting tutor

• Individual meeting with a visiting curator, with focus on context and reflection.

Week 6: Completion and presentation

• Informal showcase moment of your work.
• Collection moment: in consultation with the studio coordinators, you decide which works (maximum three) will be included in our collection.
• Settlement of expenses and tidying up of your workplace and mini-appartement.

Facilities

Professionally equipped studio

A Development Residency provides extensive access to our professionally equipped studio, from Monday to Saturday (08:00 – 20:00). Our experienced studio coordinators are available on weekdays for guidance and technical support.

Challenging program

In addition to several introductions to printmaking techniques, we provide a side programme focused on meeting and dialogue.

Paper and inks

Basic materials (proofing paper, ink, etc.) are included in your residency. We only charge cost price for the use of equipment in the digital studio, as well as for materials such as paper or copper.

A limited selection of paper is available for purchase on-site. If you wish to use specific paper or inks, you must bring these with you.

Accommodation

Each resident has an individual mini-apartment in our brand new artist pavilion.

• Amenities: internet, sheets, towels, washing machine, dryer, communal kitchen, multipurpose seating area and garden.
• Family members: partners and children are welcome at no extra cost.

More information on the Accommodation page.

Participation fee

The high-quality accompaniment provided during our Development Residencies is a labour-intensive and costly undertaking. Thanks to an important basic subsidy from the Flemish Community, we are able to limit the participation fee for a six-week residency – including accommodation – to €2,500. This covers approximately 1/6th of the actual 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

Our next Open Call will take place in Spring 2026. Applications can be made digitally in Dutch or English via an online application form.

Requirements for your application:

• An artist 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 MASEREEL’s director and 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 programme and its added value for your practice.

The result of the selection process will be announced in early 2026.

Important:

• If you wish to participate in a Development Residency simultaneously with one or more other individual artists, please state this clearly in your separate applications. Individual artists must each submit a separate application, and your applications will also be assessed separately.
• Partners and children are welcome at no extra cost. Please do mention this in your application.
• Communication at MASEREEL takes place in Dutch and English. Residents are expected to have sufficient command of English to communicate fluently with our staff and fellow residents. 
  
• Applications for residencies can only be submitted via the digital application form available on our website during the Open Call application period. Spontaneous applications will not be considered.

Practical information

• Inventory of our printmaking workshops
• House rules 
• FAQ page