Main information
- Artistic field(s): Visual arts, interdisciplinary practices
- Setting: Urban
- Number of available artist in residence spots: 2 artists in residence as part of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL
- Dates: 1 April – 30 June 2025 OR 1 July – 30 September 2025
- Duration of the residency: One work period of 3 months
About
Brutus is both a labyrinth and a time machine, a fallout shelter and a launch pad, a laboratory and an industrial ruin, a cabinet of curiosities and an incubator of ideas. With its 6,000m2, Brutus is one of the largest contemporary art institutions in the Netherlands, located in the former port warehouses of the M4H zone in the west of Rotterdam. Although its mission is to make art and culture accessible, it is not a traditional museum but rather a playground where artists have the time, space and freedom to experiment and work on a large scale in different disciplines. Brutus is a creative and research residence (Brutus Lab), a sculpture garden (Brutus Garden) and an exhibition space (Brutus Space) associated with the Atelier van Lieshout (Brutus Base). Brutus was founded in 2008 by the artist Joep van Lieshout and was formerly known as AVL Mundo.
Location
The second most populous city in the Netherlands after its capital Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city, renowned for its modern architecture and impressive harbour. The city was largely rebuilt after its destruction during the Second World War, lending it a unique, avant-garde character: iconic monuments such as the Erasmus Bridge and cube-shaped houses stand side by side with contemporary skyscrapers. As well as being a major logistical and economic centre, Rotterdam is also synonymous with culture, home to renowned museums, art galleries and a vibrant music scene. This major port city is working to become one of the greenest and most sustainable urban areas in the Netherlands.
Who is this residency aimed at?
This residency is aimed at a visual artist, designer or curator who wishes to develop a creative and research project and who mainly works in sculptures, painting and large-scale installations. However, other proposals and experiments may be put forward by applicants.
This residency is for you if you require the following elements:
- A quiet environment
- Professional connections
- Immersion in a community of artists
- Immersion in an urban culture
- Total autonomy
- An interdisciplinary setting
Types of eligible projects
The values, and spaces, of Brutus call for unconventional and innovative projects which boldly raise contemporary issues such as climate change, migration, social exclusion and the perversion of power.
Practical information
- Working languages: Dutch, English
- Number of artists in residence: Alongside the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence, around 5 international, and Dutch, artists and researchers will also reside at Brutus.
- Accessibility: Brutus is not accessible to those using a wheelchair.
- Hosting of family members: The apartment provided by Brutus can accommodate the artist in residence and, if necessary, a member of his or her family.
- Travelling to and from the train station: To the Brutus Lab workstudio from/to Rotterdam Centraal: tram 21, 23, 24 (Marconiplein) + 7 minutes walk. To the accomodation: (Aleidistraat 90c) from/to Rotterdam Centraal: tram 21, 23, 24 (1e Middellandstraat) + 4 minutes walk.
- Access to supermarkets: An Albert Heijn supermarket is a 6-minute walk from the studio and a Dirk van den Broek supermarket is a 3-minute walk from the accommodation.
- Cultural institutions close by: V2_ lab for the instable media, WORM, Varia, Depot Boijmans, Kunsthal Rotterdam, Kunstinstituut Melly, Nederlands Fotomuseum, Nieuwe Instituut, Huidenclub, Art Rotterdam, International Film Festival Rcotterdam (IFFR)
Support and guidance
In addition to the financial, administrative, human and professional support provided by the Institut français NL, the residency offers the following support:
- Artistic guidance: The Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence must be able to work independently during the residency period. He or she may, however, consult the artistic expertise of the Brutus team.
- Material guidance: No specific materials or equipment are made available to the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence.
- Technical guidance: Technical advice can be provided, where possible, by the Brutus team at the request of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence.
- Accommodation: An individual flat, available to the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence, is located in a lively area of the city centre (address: 90c rue Aleidisstraat, 3029 BS Rotterdam). The flat is minimally furnished and equipped with a bathroom, functional kitchen, washing machine and dishwasher. The flat is 2 km from the workshop, a 10-minute bike ride.
- Workspace: The Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence are also provided with an individual workshop. This is located on the top floor of the Brutus Lab (address: Keileweg 14, 3029 BS Rotterdam), which houses five workshops in a historic building. It’s a spacious workshop with good lighting, although it can get hot in summer.
- Professional guidance: The Brutus team regularly welcomes professional groups; Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence are invited to inform the Brutus team of their professional needs so that the team can identify suitable times for professional meetings.
- Public programme: Brutus Lab’s open workshops are generally organised on the occasion of Rotterdam Art Week, i.e. outside of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL residency period; the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence are invited to inform the Brutus team of his or her wish to present his or her creative and research project to the public, so that the team can identify appropriate moments for public presentations. In addition, a festive occasion to celebrate the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artists in residence is proposed at the end of the residency period.
Contact information
- Address: Brutus, Keileweg 10b, 3029 BS, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Website: Brutus
- Programme coordinator: Sanne ten Brink, director (Brutus)
