Call for applications: KunstRAI for Rietveld alumni (2025, 2024 & 2023)
The Gerrit Rietveld Academie is invited by KunstRAI to curate a part of their exhibition floor with Rietveld alumni (graduates of 2023, 2024 & 2025). It will take place from 22 April until 26 April 2026.
KunstRAI is an art fair where around 100 galleries will exhibit and sell works from artists across the Netherlands and abroad. A selection of contemporary painting, photography, (vintage) design, applied arts, post-war art, and specialist art books will be shown over the course of five days.
The fair is also an opportunity for alumni to sell and showcase their work. Our exhibition's intention is to cultivate a dialogue with the fair visitors and our multidisciplinary, pluricultural and experimental approach to art education and culture.
In this edition, we have space for around 20 Rietveld alumni – it will be curated by Jimena Casas and Mariken Overdijk. The fair takes place in the monumental Europa Hall of RAI Amsterdam, built in 1961. For this edition there’s no specific theme, still a strong desire from the curators to encourage applicants to show existing work that resonates or enables a dialogue with the character of the hall (dimensions, history and its monumental status). Performative works are invited to apply both for the exhibition and the Artist Night on April 24th.
Practical information & details:
● When: KunstRAI takes place from 22 April until 26 April 2026
● When to build up: 21 April (9:00 – 23:00h) and 22 April (9:00 – 16:00h)
● Works can be installed mainly on the floor, hanging on the ceiling and/or on a walls.
● When to dismantle: 26 April (18:00 – 23:00h) and 27 April (8:00 – 12:00h)
Deadline Open Call: 18 January 2026
Send to: projects@rietveldacademie.nl attn. Rabea Riddlhammer, please include in the subject of your email KunstRAI.
What we can offer
● Presenting your work together with around 20 other (selected) Rietveld alumni during KunstRAI
● An exhibition space of 200m2 in total at RAI Amsterdam during KunstRAI
● A production budget of 100 euros (incl. VAT) per artist
● Guidance and support (to a reasonable extent) by the curators, Jimena and Mariken and Rabea Riddlehammer / Vere van Hal (Public & Projects)
● Production support in preparation and on location by KunstRAI
● White walls and lights on location
● Nametags, signage and a floorplan on location specially focussed on 'our' 200m2
● All participants in the exhibition receive the so-called participants handbook from KunstRAI with all necessary (practical) information about the event
● (General) PR by KunstRAI
● PR by Rietveld Academie specially focused on all participating artists
● The possibility to participate in several public programmes organised by KunstRAI (this is not mandatory)
● All artists receive several free tickets for the opening and other days
● Artists may also offer the displayed works for sale. Please note, if you sell an artwork during KunstRAI the proceeds are 100% yours.
What the artists need to arrange themselves and what we expect from you
● Required equipment
● Transport to and from RAI Amsterdam
● Artists are themselves responsible for the construction and dismantling of their work at the designated location
● It is expected that the artists will provide material (images, information) for use in the PR campaign prior to the exhibition
● You are responsible for the potential sales of the work
Please keep in mind the artists do not have to always be present during KunstRAI, but the more often, the better.
Please note that workshops at the Rietveld Academie cannot, in principle, be used in preparation for KunstRAI. Sometimes by agreement an exception can be made.
The following is expected in your application
We ask you to propose one work that you choose to present at the fair that connects to the theme of this year’s KunstRAI. Please read carefully:
● General information about yourself (name, graduation year, department)
● Short motivation letter (max. 300 words). An explanation about why you would like to participate in KunstRAI and what you expect to get out of it.
● Portfolio, max. 7 pages.
● Three photos of the proposed artwork, (plus dimensions of the work)
● Title of the artwork you would like to present (please do take into consideration that only one piece will be shown)
● A description of the artwork
● An estimation of the square meters you would need and if you need specifically walls and/or floor space
● A summary of the equipment you will be using (Equipment will be provided by yourselves!)
Selection committee
After the deadline the selection committee will dive into all applications and select a group of approximately 20 alumni. The selection committee consists of:
● Jimena Casas (alumna VAV) and Mariken Overdijk (Rietveld Academie)
● Lisa van de Weerthof (director KunstRAI)
● Rabea Riddlehammer (Public & Projects, Rietveld Academie)
Timeframe
● Sunday 18 January: Deadline Call for applications
● Tuesday 20 January: Selection committee meets
● Week of 26 January: All applicants are contacted
● 26 January - 20 April: All selected artists prepare individually for their part
● 10 February: Meeting with all selected artists/designers together with Rabea and the curators
● 15 February: Deadline to deliver all artists names and titles of the works
● 21 April (9:00 – 23:00h): Building up, all artists together with the curators and Vere van Hal
● 22 April (9:00 – 16:00h): Building up, all artists together with the curators and Vere van Hal
● 22 April (18:00 – 21:00h): (exclusive) Opening KunstRAI
● 23 April (11:00 – 18:00h): KunstRAI open to public
● 24 April (9:00 – 17:00h): KunstRAI open to public
● 25 April (17:00 – 21:00h): The Artist Night
● 26 April (11:00 – 18:00h): KunstRAI open to public
● 26 April (18:00 – 23:00h): Dismantling exhibition
● 28 April (8:00 – 12:00h): Dismantling exhibition
Contacts
For information about the content and selection, please contact Rabea Riddlhammer / Vere van Hal of Rietveld Academie / Public & Projects or via projects@rietveldacademie.nl.
Photo by Rietveld Photography student Matija Stojanovic