The Watou Arts Festival pitches its tents in the Belgian art village of the same name just past Poperinge, near the French border, every summer. Poets and visual artists, up-and-coming talent and established values, from home and abroad, always provide a wonderful experience in characteristic exhibition spaces: an abandoned mansion, the cellar of a brewery… A unique artistic experience arises from the convergence of visual art and poetry in surprising spaces, full of character.
Belgium’s Watou Arts Festival’s research project ‘Patchwork’ runs in parallel with the main festival event. The organisers are calling for professional artists and final year bachelor or master arts students (any discipline) to join a collective research process (either 12-15 July 2022 or 16-19 August 2022). Following the research, selected participants will receive a grant to realise a project for the 2023 festival. Individuals or collectives (maximum 3 people) from any country can apply.
The festival covers:
- Sleeping accommodation for four days (three nights). This is the minimum period of stay (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). You can also stay for five nights.
- You will get a camping bed in the meeting centre of Watou, or you bring your own little tent. Sanitary and kitchen, Wi-Fi, workspace, tables and chairs are available.
- A fee of 300 Euro to cover your costs.
After the Watou immersion, the participants will be asked to submit a project proposal for the Watou Arts Festival 2023 Edition. A jury, chaired by Koen Vanmechelen, will make a selection from this for the 2023 edition. Whoever makes this final selection will receive a budget of 5000 Euro to finalise and realise their concept.
