Open Call: Rembrandt Residency in India

An initiative from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India

India: a land of inspiration and transformation 

  India is a country that stretches the imagination. Its cultural diversity, vibrant contradictions, deep-rooted philosophies, and rapidly evolving creative industries make it one of the most compelling places in the world for artists seeking to broaden their perspectives. Whether in the layered histories of its cities or the diverse voices of its contemporary art scene, India offers not just a change of scenery, but a new perspective. With this open call, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India invites Dutch artists and artists based in the Netherlands to take part in a unique opportunity to live and work in India during a 6–8 week fully funded residency.

This residency supports artistic growth through immersion, dialogue, and exchange. It provides the time and support to explore new ideas, materials, and contexts in collaboration with Indian artists, thinkers, communities and organizations. The experience is intended not only to encourage creative practice, but also to foster long-term cross-cultural relationships.

This open call launches the first round of residencies with three host organizations:

• Khoj International Artists’ Association (Delhi)

• Kochi Biennale Foundation (Kochi)

• Public Arts Trust of India (Jodhpur)

Why ‘Rembrandt Residency’?

Rembrandt’s unique connection to India stems from his 17th-century drawings based on Mughal miniatures brought to Amsterdam by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Around the 1650’s, he produced a series of 23 drawings of Mughal rulers and nobility. This is remarkable as Rembrandt seldom incorporated foreign influences, demonstrating how early global trade and cultural exchange influenced European art.

Residency Overview

Residency Includes:

•    Accommodation for the full residency period
•    International return flight (Netherlands – India)
•    Daily allowance (1500 INR per diem for meals and expenses)
•    A pre-approved production-budget (Max. different per organization)
•    Visa costs
•    Support from the Embassy’s cultural affairs team

Host Institution Support

The artist will collaborate with one of the host organizations. Depending on the host, support may include:
•    Artistic and curatorial guidance
•    Tailored programs including studio visits, workshops, and excursions
•    Connections to Indian artists, academics, and institutions
•    Public engagement opportunities such as talks, open studios, or presentations

Host Institutes

A.    Khoj International Artists’ Association — New Delhi, Delhi Residency
•    Residency period: 24 October 2025 – 10 December 2025
•    Theme: BODIES-MACHINES-PUBLICS — critical research on technology, bodies, and power systems in the digital age
•    Program: Collaborative international research with partners in Chile, Switzerland, and Switzerland
•    More information: BODIES-MACHINES-PUBLICS 2025 - Khoj
Artist profile:
This application is open to a diverse range of creative practices. Artists and creative practitioners with a focus on innovative concepts spanning objects, installations, artefacts, performances, screenings, and interventions within the realms of Interactive Art, BioArt, Hybrid Art, AI & Life Sciences, Sound Art, Net Art, Digital Communities, amongst others, are encouraged to apply.

B.    Public Arts Trust India (PATI) — Jodhpur, Rajasthan Residency

⁠Residency period: 23 February 2026 – 3 April 2026
•    Focus: Visual Arts, Crafts, Interdisciplinary, Community & Co-created Practices
•    ⁠Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan — the historic “Blue City” known for its rich heritage and vibrant cultural ecosystem
•    Objective: Engage with the living heritage of the region and its communities to co-create and produce new work for Jodhpur Arts Week Edition 2.0 in October 2026
•    More information: Public Arts Trust of India
Artist profile:
Professional artists with community-engaged or research-based practice, working in visual, performance, sound, or interdisciplinary media. Participating artists will work to facilitate meaningful dialogue with artisans, performers, and community custodians of oral and material traditions, engaging and responding to the cultural heritage of Jodhpur. Artists must be happy to devote up to 20% of their time to public engagements including talks, workshops, open studios and contribute to PATI’s ongoing Creative Arts Education Programme, developed in partnership with the pedagogical research lab LAND (Learning through Arts Narrative and Discourse).

C.    Kochi Biennale Foundation – Kochi, Kerala Residency
•    Residency period: 1 November 2025 – 15 December 2025
•    Focus: Visual Arts, Interdisciplinary Practice, Historical and Cultural Research
•    Location: Kochi, Kerala — a historic port city on the Malabar Coast, shaped by centuries of oceanic trade and exchange
•    Objective: Engage with the complex legacy of Dutch Malabar through artistic research into oceanic histories, speculative storytelling, and embodied practices of survival and resistance. The residency invites artists to explore archives, oral histories, and physical remnants to critically and creatively revisit narratives of empire, trade, migration, and resilience. The residency culminates in an Open Studio exhibition during the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
•    More information: Kochi Biennale Foundation
Artist profile:
Artists already exploring themes of oceanic worldings, decolonial histories, embodied storytelling, or critical heritage. Applicants should be interested in long-term research, cultural context, and interdisciplinary approaches to narrative and history. Proficiency in English and openness to sustained engagement and exchange are essential.

Application Guidelines

Who can apply?
Professional and/or upcoming artists based in the Netherlands working in any contemporary discipline, interested in India’s cultural or environmental contexts, open to experimentation and exchange. Duo’s and groups are not to be considered. All applications must be over the age of 18.

Application must include (single e-mail, in English, subject title :RR_yourname):
1.    Filled-in Application Form [PDF FORM] ( Please use an addtional sheet to include any information that cannot be entered in the provided text box). 
2.    Updated CV (max 2 pages, .pdf)
3.    Portfolio of 3-6 artistic projects (link or .pdf)
4.    Two reference contacts (Name, Relationship to the Applicant, Email, Phone Number)
5.    Budget, containing foreseen travel costs, production costs and other unforeseen costs. (.pdf or .xlsx)  Production budget different per Host Institute.
Deadline application: Sunday 15th of June, 23:59 IST

Health Advisory: Extreme weather, including heat, dust, and pollution, can be debilitating. Do consider the weather conditions when you apply for the residency in India. Artists should take necessary precautions. Real-time air quality can be monitored via platforms like PurpleAir.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a jury comprising Embassy cultural officers and host representatives. One artist will be selected per host institute.

Selection Criteria
Applications will be carefully assessed based on the following criteria:
•    Only applicants that are Dutch or Netherlands-based will be considered.
•    A strong and convincing track record of previous artistic or literary work
•    A clear and contextually relevant motivation for applying
•    Projects that demonstrate a genuine interest to engage with India (or the Netherlands) and the specific residency environment
•    The applicant’s willingness and enthusiasm to actively participate in the local cultural ecosystem of the residency
•    A well-defined project proposal with potential for lasting artistic and cultural impact
•    Applications received after the deadline, regardless of the reason (including technical issues or time zone confusion), will not be considered.
•    Only applications received in full before the deadline will be considered eligible for review.
•    In cases where applications are equally strong across these criteria, the order of receipt may be used as a fair and transparent tiebreaker.

Additionally, the selection process will consider diversity and inclusion, striving for gender balance among successful candidates. 

Please note that the final decision of the selection committee will be definitive and binding.

Questions?
Contact: NDE-projects@minbuza.nl

We look forward to welcoming Dutch artists for a rewarding residency that fosters creativity, collaboration, and cultural exchange across continents.