HUP 03

HUP 03: a year to push your practice forward 

Ready for a new round of HUP? Every year, Kunstwerkt organizes a talent development trajectory for non-professional visual artists. Through an open call, a jury selects 15 makers who receive a year of support for their artistic journey - both content-wise and financially. 

What is HUP?

HUP is a talent development trajectory for visual artists, organized by Kunstwerkt. 15 makers receive a year of content-related and financial support to further develop a fully personal artistic project.

Selection takes place through an open call, after which an independent jury puts together a varied group of 15 makers. The selection is open to all non-professional artists, regardless of age, gender, or background. By targeting non-professional artists, we give opportunities to emerging makers, recent graduates, self-taught artists, or artists who are just starting out in their practice and are in need of a boost. Mid-career artists or artists supported by a promotional gallery are not eligible.

After the selection, the group comes together every so often to exchange ideas during engaging workshops. We close the trajectory with a group exhibition, where we present work by the 15 artists. For this third edition of HUP, we're partnering with De Tank in Bruges.

Theme linked to the Bruges Triennial

Additionally, we have chosen to align this edition of HUP with the theme of the Bruges Triennial: After Birth – Structures of Togetherness. From 24 April to 5 September 2027, Bruges will once again become a stage for contemporary art and architecture, focusing on togetherness, rituals, and shared life experiences as a counterbalance to growing societal individualism. By embracing this theme, we tap into the city's cultural context and, for the closing group exhibition, engage the public who come to visit the Triennial. Moreover, this theme strongly aligns with HUP's mission: bringing people together, sharing resources and knowledge, and building meaningful connections.

Your proposed project should connect with the theme of the Bruges Triennial 2027, but not in a strictly literal way. Let ‘After Birth – Structures of Togetherness’ inspire your approach in a flexible manner. The theme can resonate in your concept, form, or method, but also in your choice of materials. In our rules and regulation, we provide more explanation on how you can integrate the theme into your application for this open call. You can also read more about it on the Triennial's website.

Why participate?

HUP means a boost for your artistic journey. If you're selected, here's what you can count on:

• Financial support: the 15 visual artists each receive a working budget of 1,700 euros to invest in their own project. You're free to use this budget as you see fit. In addition, you'll receive a 300-euro artist fee to present your project during the closing group exhibition.
• Content-related support: the group of artists comes together periodically at various locations for engaging workshops. Throughout the year, you'll get to know each other better and learn from exchanging experiences. By applying, you confirm that you will be able to attend these HUP Days. You can find the dates in the 'Important dates' column or in the rules and regulations.
• De Tank residents as mentors: every HUP artist is paired with a resident of De Tank. The professional artists who have their studios at De Tank are perfectly suited to support you as a mentor with any questions you may have.
• A spot in the group exhibition: every year we close HUP with a group exhibition where the 15 artists present what they've worked on over the past year. Together with the group, you'll build an exciting exhibition in August 2027 at De Tank in Bruges. The exhibition is linked to the program of the Bruges Triennial. 

Online inspiration session: how do I pitch my artistic project?

On September 30, 2026, artist and curator Han Decorte will host an online inspiration session to guide artists on crafting compelling pitches for open calls, residencies, and international projects. The session focuses on three key areas: selecting the right opportunities that align with your current practice, connecting your existing portfolio to specific themes, and presenting your concept clearly and persuasively. While the examples are drawn from the HUP 03 talent development program by Kunstwerkt, the strategies provided are universally applicable to any artistic proposal.

Click here for more info

Convinced to give it a shot? You still have until November 3 to submit your application through the open call. We'll ask you for recent work and a description of the project you want to realize through HUP. You can read the regulations here. Do you have questions about your submission? Send them to hup@kunstwerkt.be. We're happy to help.

Click here for an overview of the registration form