Tilting Axis Fellowship 2024

Nieuwe Instituut and Tilting Axis are launching the fourth iteration of the fellowship program for applicants based in the Caribbean. The initiative aims to foster and support research based practices and stimulate mutual exchange between the Caribbean region and the Dutch cultural field. Together with the leading partners—Nieuwe Instituut and Tilting Axis—other cultural institutions including Amsterdam Museum, De Appel, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and Kunstinstituut Melly will engage with the selected applicant during the Fellowship.

About the fellowship
This fellowship focuses on applicants living and working within the Caribbean region offering the space to think through research and practice. The selected applicant will be based in Rotterdam at Nieuwe Instituut and will have access to other partner cultural institutions in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. A total stipend of 12,000 EUR will be granted by Nieuwe Instituut to cover living expenses and in addition to the stipend, Nieuwe Instituut will cover one round-trip airfare from any country within the Caribbean to the Netherlands. Accommodation costs will be reimbursed to the fellow for the period of stay in the Netherlands for a maximum of 800 EUR per month. Stipends may be subject to a withholding tax. 

The fellowship will be developed through independent research; individual support and interaction with the Research Department team at Nieuwe Instituut; monthly meetings to discuss thematic and methodological aspects of the project; and diverse collaborations with partner institutions. Applicants are invited to submit a proposal that addresses their current investigations and research interests through the lens of architecture, design and digital culture. 

Read more about the past editions of the Tilting Axis Fellowship with Fellow Sean Leonard in 2020–21, Fernando Martirena and Anadis González in 2021–22 and Israel Mapp in 2023.

For whom
One researcher, designer, writer, curator, or cultural producer based in the Caribbean region interested in building new links with cultural institutions in the Netherlands, and with an interest in developing their research practice around themes related to architecture, spatial practice, design or digital culture.

Resources offered by the fellowship
–Stimulate and visualise curatorial, design, and artistic realities coming from the Caribbean region;
–Enhance knowledge exchange and collaboration with a cross-section of Dutch cultural institutions; 
–Network and exchange with a variety of platforms for professional experience;
–Produce critical knowledge on inter-disciplinary exchanges as well as visual culture;
–Offer practical support for travel to the Netherlands; 
–Engage with hosting and collaborating institutions to interrogate and challenge their institutional structures and methodologies;
–Utilise the existing Tilting Axis network.

The fellow will be invited to
–Make a series of presentations in Rotterdam & Amsterdam at host and partner institutions on their research/practice;
–Produce a monthly text/sound/video/photo essay as potential options to be discussed with the fellow. The fellow’s research could lead to an installation, exhibition, or further events at partner institutions during or after the fellowship;
–Write a final reflective report on the fellowship experience is required and will be posted on the websites of Tilting Axis and Nieuwe Instituut, with links to the partner institutions.

Crossovers programme
This fellowship is part of Nieuwe Instituut’s crossovers programme that aims to stimulate the international exchange of knowledge and research through collaborative fellowships, events, exhibitions, and publications involving designers, researchers and partners across the world. Broader alliances can contribute to cultural and political change, and eventually to policy adjustments.

Read more about the Tilting Axis Fellowship and the call for applications on the websites of the Nieuwe Instituut and Tilting Axis.