Registration orientation trip 2026
Are you a curator, art observer or visual artist with international ambitions? Would you like more insight into the international visual arts field? And broaden your international network? Maybe the orientation trip to China (Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong) from 6 to 21 November 2026 is something for you.
For whom: Curators/art observers and visual artists from the Netherlands and/or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
For what: To exchange knowledge, to network and broaden your vision regarding contemporary visual art in foreign regions that offer interesting opportunities for discovery.
When: From Friday 6 November to Saturday 21 November 2026.
How much: Participants are asked to make a personal contribution of € 750.
Registration deadline: Thursday 25 June 2026 before 4 pm (Dutch time zone) / 10 am (Caribbean time zone).
The primary purpose of the trip is to provide insight into contemporary visual arts in China, to introduce the main players and to introduce participants to the possibilities of exchange. This creates an international collaboration and dialogue between visual arts professionals.
The programme consists of visits to museums, art institutions, art venues, galleries, artist-in-residence places and meetings with artists, collectors and local key figures in the various cities.
Since 2009, participants have maintained a blog with their experiences on orientationtrips.net. This blog has since become an important source of knowledge and is used worldwide for information about contemporary visual arts in the areas visited.
Who is eligible?
The orientation trip is intended for curators and art observers with a practice of at least 2 years and for visual artists with a professional practice of at least 1 year. For both curators/art observers and visual artists, you must be artistically active within the professional visual arts field in the Netherlands and/or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. It is not possible to apply for the orientation trip while attending education at institutions, such as bachelor and master programmes. This also applies to postgraduate or postgraduate courses.
Practical information
A total of approximately 15 people will take part in the trip, including 6 participants from the Netherlands and/or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. These are selected by the Mondriaan Fund and consist of: 2 visual artists and 4 curators/art observers.
The Mondriaan Fund is the main funder of the trip for the Dutch participants. Included are travel and accommodation costs (hotel and breakfast) and some joint lunches and dinners. Participants are asked to make a personal contribution of €750.
The trip is organised in collaboration with the Danish Arts Agency (Denmark) and Office for Contemporary Art (Norway).
How and when to register?
Visual artists and curators/art observers can sign up until Thursday 25 June before 4 pm (Dutch time zone) / 10 am (Caribbean time zone). You can sign up via the Mondriaan Fund form. We ask for a CV and letter of motivation.
Selection
The Fund Office makes a selection from the registrations. Besides the CV and motivation, the formation of the group is also taken into account. The selection aims to have a good mix of age, background, gender and discipline. Experience with international cooperation is an advantage.
Please indicate in your motivation:
- How this visit contributes to your practice and professional and international development;
- What you have to offer locally in the sense of expertise, exchange, collaboration;
- How you can convert your acquired knowledge and network into concrete project(s) upon your return.
Those selected will be notified of their participation in August 2026.
Checklist registration
To process your registration, The Mondriaan Fund needs information. All of this information can be submitted in the registration form itself, along with documentation that you can upload. Below is a checklist that follows the layout of the registration form and contains all the information required.
Tip: collect all your information before you start filling out the online registration form. The attachments can be uploaded as PDFs. Important: wherever a maximum number of pages is given, do not exceed that number of pages! Additional pages will be ignored.
For visual artists
Cv (3 pages maximum)
List the most important information about your professional practice, focusing on the last 1 to 4 years, depending on when you started your practice. Think about exhibitions (indicate whether it is a solo or group exhibition), manifestations, commissions, awards, publications, and any sales. Indicate the year of each. Also mention associated activities, such as teaching, and advisory- or jury positions.
Motivation (2 pages maximum)
Motivate why it is of added value for you to participate in the orientation trip. Indicate how this visit can contribute to your practice and professional and international development. It is important that you indicate in your motivation what you can offer locally in the sense of expertise, exchange and collaboration and how you can convert your acquired knowledge and network into concrete project(s) upon your return.
If applicable:
Extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP) / Proof of registration in the population register
Are you registered in the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and do you not hold Dutch nationality? If so, please enclose a recent proof of registration (no more than 1 year old) from the population register.
For curators or art observers
CV (3 pages maximum)
Upload the most important data about your professional practice, with emphasis on the last 2 to 4 years. Include, for example, relevant articles and publications, research, exhibitions, events, lectures, commissions, grants or subsidies and awards. Indicate the year of each. Also mention the studies you have completed and any related activities, such as teaching, and advisory- or jury positions.
Motivation (2 pages maximum)
Elaborate on your motivation on why it is of added value for you to participate in the orientation trip. Indicate how this visit can contribute to your practice and professional/international development. It is important that you indicate in your motivation what you can offer locally in the sense of expertise, exchange and collaboration and how you can convert your acquired knowledge and network into concrete project(s) upon your return.
If applicable:
Extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP) / Proof of registration in the population register
Are you registered in the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and do you not hold Dutch nationality? If so, please enclose a recent proof of registration (no more than 1 year old) from the population register.
Previous trips
The orientation trips have been organised since 2004. In 2025, the destinations were India and Thailand, and in 2024, the destinations were Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Previous years were: Central America (2023); Spain and Portugal (2022); United Arab Emirates and Pakistan (2019); South Africa and Zimbabwe (2018); United States and Cuba (2017); Iran and Armenia (2016); Chile and Colombia (2015); Korea and Japan (2014); Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary (2013); Indonesia and China (2012); Mali, Senegal and Morocco (2011); Nigeria, Turkey and Mali (2010); Brazil, Argentina and Peru (2009); Bangladesh, India, United Arab Emirates (2008); Mexico, Curaçao (2007); Senegal, South Africa (2006); China (2005) and the Middle East (2004).