MINO LAB is a residency for emerging artists building practices grounded in care, criticality, and change.

MINO LAB 2025

MINO LAB is a seven-month residency programme for socially engaged emerging artists based in Belgium. It offers time, space and guidance to develop your artistic voice,  beyond the limits of disciplines or expectations.

This residency centres your growth, your questions, and context.

We focus on emerging artists whose practice is rooted in visual expression, whether through sculpture, installation, photography, text-based or mixed media practice, or through more hybrid, performative or embodied forms.

If your practice is shaped by personal, political or ecological urgency, MINO LAB offers the tools, attention and community to go deeper. 

The residency will take place in Dutch and/or English, depending on the group

The residency starts in the week of September 22.

What we offer

MINO LAB contributes to a shifting arts ecosystem by offering space for process, reflection and regenerative practices. In 2025, we launch our third edition, shaped by past experience and new insights.

  •  A 7-month residency (Sept 2025 – April 2026) in Antwerp

  • We offer coaching to help you shape and deepen your artistic language and vision, rooted in your embodied knowledge, creative practice, and the questions that truly matter to you

  • Being part of a small, supportive peer group of 6 artists, selected for their commitment, urgency and distinct voices

  • Tailored guidance from a diverse team of coaches, attuned to your learning style, background and needs

  • Field visits and exchanges with artists and spaces in Belgium and the Netherlands

  • Thematic deep practice labs on artistic, social and contextual themes

  • A budget of 3000 euro to support your research and creation

  • 24/7 access to the MINO studio and space in Antwerp

  • You decide the form of your final presentation, co-created with relevant partners or communities.

  • Ongoing connection to the wider MINO network of artists, alumni, coaches and institutions

And above all: space to pause, question, and grow. This residency isn’t about production or perfection, it’s about process, connection, and imagining otherwise.

Who is MINO LAB for?

We are looking for six emerging artists who are ready to invest in their practice, and in a shared space of growth.

You are:

  • Based in Belgium 

  • In the early stages of your artistic trajectory (roughly 2–5 years active)

  • Working in the visual arts, possibly across or beyond traditional disciplines

  • Developing a strong artistic vision and seeking the tools, space and support to go deeper

  • We welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds and strongly encourage submissions from underrepresented groups in the arts

  • With or without a formal arts education — self-taught artists are warmly invited to apply

  • Looking for a safe, challenging and caring environment to grow your practice and build meaningful connections

We seek artists with visual or transdisciplinary practices driven by a desire for change - social, ecological, political or otherwise - exploring new forms and ways of relating. Artists who may not always feel at home in conventional spaces, but are eager to step into their practice fully, on their own terms.

This residency requires full commitment. We invest deeply in your artistic and personal process, and expect the same level of engagement from you. The programme takes place mainly in Antwerp, with 2 to 3 sessions per month.  If you’re not ready to fully immerse yourself, this might not be the right moment. But if you are: we’re here to support you every step of the way. 

Coaches MINO LAB 2025

To be confirmed

Steering committee MINO LAB 2025

To be confirmed

Each edition, MINO LAB appoints a steering committee to guide the quality and act as jury during the selection process.

Check MINO LAB 2024 for last year’s members: Giya Makondo-Wills, Eric Cyuzuzo, Elena Ndidi Akilom and Lisanne Van Happen.

APPLY

Please send the following in one single PDF (max. 10MB). Use the subject line: MINO LAB 2025 – Your Name

  • A portfolio or documentation of your work, in a format that reflects you (images, links, text, audio, video... no WeTransfer)

  • A motivation statement (max. 1 page): share your artistic vision, why you want to be part of MINO LAB, and what you’d like to explore during the residency

  • An artistic CV or a short description of your background and trajectory

Please send your complete application to tatjana@mino-antwerp.be.
Only applications that are complete with portfolio, artistic vision and motivation will be considered.

Deadline: Saturday 31 August 2025 at 23:59
Interviews: Selected applicants will be invited for an online or in-person interview between 9 and13 September.