Symbio Kunstprijs 2026-2027
Shift the wind
After four years of the Symbio Kunstprijs, we have witnessed the profound impact and expressive power of art in the transition towards a sustainable world. For this fifth anniversary edition, Stichting Symbio and Oerol Festival are once again challenging visual artists to address the disrupted relationship between humans and nature. We are looking for work that frictionates, stirs, and moves people towards a sustainable future.
Do you dare to make a world in motion tangible? In June 2027, the winning work will become part of Oerol’s visual arts programme on Terschelling, within an edition centered around small revolutions and collective rebellion.
All key dates at a glance:
01/09 Deadline for submissions
15/09 Shortlist selection
15/11 Deadline submission shortlist project plans
18/11 Shortlist project plan presentations
Closing date
September 1st 2026
Collaboration with Oerol Festival
The Symbio Kunstprijs is an initiative by Stichting Symbio, in close collaboration with Oerol Festival. This partnership brings together Oerol's unique site-specific art context and Symbio's power for social renewal. We offer a stage on Terschelling where your work will become part of the art route in June 2027. The festival is the ideal place for art forms that step outside traditional walls and engage in dialogue with the landscape and the public.
Professional jury
The professional jury consists of Marin de Boer (visual arts programmer for Oerol Festival), Yuki Kho (programme maker and journalist), Imke Ruigrok (independent curator for museums and institutions, and founder and artistic director of RE_NATURE festival), and Bart Eysink Smeets (artist). Gemma Reuten (chair) joins the jury on behalf of Stichting Symbio. Hein de Graaf (visual artist) serves in an advisory role, and Marijke Tiemersma (Hollandse Luchten) acts as the coordinator.
The prize
Alongside extensive exposure at the festival, the prize consists of two financial components: a fixed artist fee of €7,500 including VAT, and a maximum of €15,000 including VAT for the realisation of the artwork. Stichting Symbio takes responsibility for the location, the presentation moment, and the exact duration of the project to be realised.
Artistic and production assessment
The professional jury will carefully weigh the proposals against the following core pillars:
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Sustainable future: the work aligns with the mission of Stichting Symbio by critically questioning the relationship between humans and nature. We look for art that inspires and prompts a change in our thinking and doing. Read more about the foundation's focus areas here.
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Location and landscape: the island's nature forms the supportive foundation of the work. The degree to which the work relates to the specific location on Terschelling is therefore an essential criterion.
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Impact: the work sparks the imagination, provokes thought, and moves people to action. Public reach: The work is scalable, allowing a large festival audience to visit and experience the work.
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Future value: the artwork tells a powerful story that retains its value long after Oerol.
Guidance
As the winner, you will not stand alone. Stichting Symbio and Oerol Festival will guide you on content, artistic, and production levels throughout the entire realisation process.
More information
If you would like to get in touch regarding the Symbio Kunstprijs, please email or call Marijke Tiemersma, coordinator: marijke@stichtingsymbio.nu or +31651366709.
Conditions and criteria
The selection process has been renewed and will take place across two rounds this year. We will first select a shortlist from all submissions. We will then invite these makers to fully develop their plans. Read below to see exactly how the procedure works.
Conditions and criteria
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You have completed a visual arts education at an art academy in the Netherlands or abroad.
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Submit your idea before September 1st 2026. Do this alongside the completed entry form and a link to your portfolio.
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Explain clearly on a maximum of one A4 page what sustainable impact your work has, and how it will encourage visitors to think and act towards a sustainable future.
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Is your work selected on September 15th for the shortlist of up to 10 most promising entries? Then you will develop the concept into a full project plan, including the realisation process, timeline, and budget. The deadline for this is November 15th 2026, and you will receive a fee of €750 including VAT for this work.
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You are personally available on Wednesday the 18th of November 2026 to present this plan to the professional jury of the Symbio Kunstprijs.
Selection procedure
Based on the process above, the final winner will be announced on November 20th 2026. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the jury's decisions.
Dissolution clause
In the event that the winner of the Symbio Kunstprijs fails to adhere to production agreements, timelines, and budgets without a clear and pre-stated reason, the organisation reserves the right to reclaim the financial sum in whole or in part. Submission to the Symbio Kunstprijs implies agreement with this dissolution clause.
PR and communication surrounding participation
Participants in the Symbio Kunstprijs agree to and will actively cooperate with the communication campaign before, during, and after the presentation of the winning work. We will document the making process and the final result in a professional video recording.
