Take a residency at the DIVA museum
Since 2021, the DIVA museum has annually invited makers, artists, and designers to create new work as part of their artist in residence programme. For 2025, the museum is offering four residents the opportunity to work for three months in a well-equipped studio, utilise the museum’s collection, and participate in an exhibition.
Open call for artist in residence 2025
Since 2021, the DIVA museum annually invites makers, artists, and designers to create new work as part of its artist in residence program. As an artist in residence in the DIVA atelier, you are self-directed and given the time and space for research and experiment. You can utilize a well-equipped atelier and draw inspiration from the extensive and accessible museum collection and our specialized library.
A residency at DIVA offers you the chance to grow as a maker, reflect on your work, and explore new ideas. Engaging with the public and other experts and professionals in the sector is an essential part of the residency. Additionally, as a resident, you will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the public during a DIVA talk and an exhibition.
What can you expect from the DIVA museum?
The DIVA museum provides its expertise, collection, and studio infrastructure to the resident. The residency period culminates in an exhibition at the museum, representing the research and work created during your stay in the DIVA atelier. The exhibition will run from 26/02/2026 to 29/03/2026 (dates subject to change). Each resident has the opportunity to present their work to a broad audience during a DIVA talk.
What does the DIVA museum expect from you?
The residency runs from 1st September to 30th November 2025. The DIVA museum expects you to be present in the DIVA atelier for at least 70% of the time during your residency. DIVA expects you to collaborate with your fellow residents on an exhibition and be present at least two days before the exhibition opening to assist with the setup. As a resident, you will actively participate in at least one DIVA talk, during or after the residency, at a mutually agreed time.
Number of residencies?
DIVA selects four residents.
Selection criteria?
Participants must have successfully completed relevant education in jewellery design and/or silversmithing or demonstrate relevant experience. The museum assembles a team of experts to select from the applications.
Your application should include:
- a portfolio introducing yourself, a maximum of 5 pages provided as a PDF;
- a motivation letter explaining why a residency at DIVA would contribute to your development;
- a project proposal describing what you want to research and achieve during the residency.
The DIVA museum uses the following criteria for selection:
- feasibility of the project proposal;
- connection of the project proposal with the museum’s collection;
- the extent to which a DIVA residency will contribute to your development.
Ongoing museum program
In addition to the above selection criteria, project proposals that engage with the ongoing museum program are preferred but not decisive for selection.
The ongoing museum program for the autumn of 2025 is the project “Lunden.” In 2025, it will be 50 years since Pierre Lunden donated his collection to the former Silver Museum Sterckshof, now part of the DIVA museum.
We highlight this donation with a focus exhibition in the autumn of 2025. The Lunden collection mainly contains silver from the Southern Netherlands, primarily from the 18th century and some objects from the 17th century. The collection can be viewed online via this link: Lunden Collection
DIVA offers you:
- Reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs up to €1,500.
- A work and production budget up to €1,500.
- An equipped atelier.
About the DIVA atelier
The DIVA atelier is set up for residents to work independently. You have access to the studio every day from 8 AM to 9 PM. The DIVA atelier is almost 160 m² in size and offers extensive facilities for jewellery designers and silversmiths.
How to apply?
Submit your application for the 2025 residency before 30th March 2025 at 5 PM. Use the online form below.
Questions?
Send your questions to atelier@divaantwerp.be
Want to know more about DIVA residents?
Read all about our residents here. The work of the 2024 residents will be exhibited from 28 February to 30 March 2025. Learn all about the exhibition Secret, Sacred & Scattered on this page.
