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.
The Watou Arts Festival will celebrate its 40th edition in the summer of 2021. The research project ‘Patchwork’ runs parallel with the festival. This is an open call for professional artists and final year bachelor or master students in an art programme (any discipline). Applications can come from individuals or collectives (maximum 4 people) and from any country.
The research periods are:
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20 July – 25 July 2021 (minimum three nights: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).
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17 August – 22 August 2021 (minimum three nights: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).
The festival covers:
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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.
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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.
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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 2022 Edition. A jury, chaired by Koen Vanmechelen, will make a selection from this for the 2022 edition. Whoever makes this final selection will receive a budget of 5000 Euro to finalise and realise their concept.
