Main information
- Artistic field(s): Visual arts, writing, interdisciplinary practices
- Setting: Rural
- Number of available artist in residence spots: 1 artist in residence as part of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL
- Dates: 1 – 30 April 2025
- Duration of the residency: One work period of 1 month
About
Het Lage Noorden is a 2-hectare site which is part of the intriguing landscape of the Frisian Wadden coast, in the Northern part of the Netherlands. Founded in 2021 by Stephan Valk and Sandra Jansen with the aim of supporting national and international artists and creative practitioners, Het Lage Noorden is composed of a large workshop, an exhibition space and a shared office space. There, artists can develop their project relating to the environment of this unique place.
Besides being an artistic residency, Het Lage Noorden works on architectural projects, installs exhibitions, and transforms itself into a tourist venue from May to September, making it a special meeting place for artists, inhabitants, cyclists, campers, and bons vivants.
Location
On the northern edge of Friesland lies this beautiful, rather remote, place: a place with both history and future. There, the sea dike and the Noorderleeg separate Het Lage Noorden from the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. The immediate surroundings of the dike indicate what the area looked before the time of sea dikes. It is a place to reflect on what the future holds, with its rising sea levels. It is a place managed by humans, but where nature prevails. During the day, thousands of migratory birds appear on the salt marsh and in the meadows. At night you can see “the real dark” and thousands of stars. The wind has free play. These are some of the many reasons why this part of the Wadden coast has always fascinated artists. An hour and a half’s drive from Amsterdam, fifteen minutes from Leeuwarden and Dokkum and close to a few beautiful Frisian villages, you will find this a striking area where the most beautiful things are created.
Who is this residency aimed at?
Het Lage Noorden welcomes an artist or designer who practices in the fields of visual arts or writing. Indeed, its unique (and sometimes isolating) rural location makes it a place for an artist who truly wish to step back and have some space for reflection and focus. It is designed for an artist who would like to pursue a reflective project linked to nature, landscape or installations. The candidate must be looking for a quiet, reflection-inducing environment with strong links to nature and must be able to work independently.
This residency is for you if you require the following elements:
- A quiet environment
- Total autonomy
- Access to a natural environment
Types of eligible projets
Het Lage Noorden fosters projects, in the research and experimentation phase, on themes with which this residency is in direct line, such as the environment in which this residency is located, such as the starry sky, biodiversity, agriculture and food, climate change, sustainability, wind and water or rural transformation. In relation to these themes, Het Lage Noorden can put the artist in residence in contact with other creators, experts and curators. In addition, an interest in the province of Friesland is essential to the success of a creative and research residency at Het Lage Noorden.
Practical information
- Working languages: Dutch, English
- Number of artists in residence: During the one-month residency at Het Lage Noorden, the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence will join two other Dutch artists selected as part of the Mondriaan Fonds programme from 15 February to 15 May. There can be up to six artists, scientists, or writers staying at Het Lage Noorden at the same time.
- Accessibility: This residency cannot accommodate those using a wheelchair.
- Hosting of family members: It is not possible to host a family member of the artist in residence.
- Travelling to and from the train station: Het Lage Noorden is surrounded by nature, but cities are still nearby. The nearest train station is Leeuwarden (2h30 from Amsterdam). Het Lage Noorden can then be reached from Leeuwarden with a 25-minute bus ride (Leeuwarden-Marrum, circulating every 30 minutes), in addition to a 30-minute walk (Marrum-Het Lage Noorden) or a car-ride arranged by Het Lage Noorden (if sufficient notice is given in advance). For daily transport, bikes can be borrowed from Het Lage Noorden, but there is a lot of wind, so the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence should consider renting an electric bike to make it easier. No car can be provided.
- Access to supermarkets: The nearest supermarket is located in Marrum, which is 2km away and accessible by bike. There are more supermarkets in Stiens (10km away and can be reached by bus).
- Cultural institutions close by: Groningen Museum ; Forum Groningen ; Natuurmuseum ; Fries Museum ; Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre
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: As Het Lage Noorden offers minimal artistic guidance, the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence must be able to work independently. Support includes a weekly meeting with the Het Lage Noorden team to facilitate the creative and research process of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence.
- Material guidance: The Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence is advised to buy their working materials from Het Lage Noorden, or to bring their own. If their project requires specific equipment, they are invited to discuss this with Het Lage Noorden prior to their residency.
- Technical guidance: Technical support is minimal: the Het Lage Noorden team can respond to the needs of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence, as the coordinator has experience with wood and steel.
- Accommodation: An individual room in the guesthouse is made available to the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence. The room is furnished and equipped with a bathroom. The Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence will share the kitchen and the living room. Use of the washing machine in the campsite sanitary unit is free once a week. The guesthouse is not intended for use as an artistic workshop.
- Workspace: The Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence will be given a 40m2 space in the shared artistic workshop, called Assembly Hall (450m2 and 7 meters high). Given its size, the Assembly Hall is not heated, so the artists are encouraged to pack an extra sweater. The Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence can also use the shared office space. Artists are invited to share their creative process in the public exhibition room (10×6 meters). If necessary, this exhibition room can be dedicated to a presentation. Working in Het Lage Noorden means adapting to the environmental “biorhythm” – working as much as possible with daylight – and the spaces are therefore accessible between 08:00 and 20:00. Other opening hours are available on demand.
- Professional guidance: Professional connections from the region can be facilitated on demand.
- Public programme: Depending on the other artists present and if the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist so requests, there may be participation in the public programme, through open workshops or project presentations. On the arrival of the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence, a guided tour of Het Lage Noorden will be offered followed by an introductory programme of approximately 4 hours during which the Nouveau Grand Tour NL artist in residence will be able to present his or her project.
Contact information
- Address: Zeedijk 8, 9073TN Marrum, the Netherlands
- Website: Het Lage Noorden
- Programme coordinator: Sandra Jansen, owner (Het Lage Noorden)
