Open Call Decoratelier
Decoratelier and workspacebrussels are jointly launching an open call aimed at artists and collectives with a scenographic practice who wish to experiment and deepen their practice within the context of Decoratelier.
About Decoratelier
Decoratelier is a workspace for scenography in Molenbeek. Scenography, ephemeral architecture and urban experimentation come together in large warehouses, connected by a central courtyard. Decoratelier’s activities are strongly shaped by its location: the warehouses invite experimentation, collaboration and encounters between artists, makers, students and local residents. How do we imagine shared spaces? Decoratelier explores processes in which spaces engage in dialogue with people, materials, places and history, or rather: how they mutually shape one another.
About the residency
We are offering a 3-week research residency (5–23 October 2026) for an artist or collective based in Belgium or abroad, working on spatial practices in the performing arts. You will take a deep dive at Decoratelier in collaboration with the builders. The residency is context-specific: you do not arrive with an existing project, but with a research proposal. We are curious about diverse artistic vocabularies and ways of working, an experimental approach to scenography and use of space, ephemeral forms of building, etc.
What we offer concretely:
- a budget of €5,000 (including VAT), to be spent primarily on remuneration;
- workspace (a 10x18m warehouse hall);
- use of a wood and metal workshop;
- use of the materials available, under the motto ‘working with what is already there’;
- support from a junior builder three days a week, as well as artistic and technical feedback from the teams of Decoratelier and workspacebrussels;
- the opportunity to organise an internal showing;
- lunch at Cassonade on weekdays.
Photos of the atelier and the material stock can be found here.
What the residency does not offer: scenographic support, space for rehearsal or finalizing a production.
How to apply?
Answer a few questions about yourself or your collective, and about your artistic plan for the residency. All questions can be found in the online application form below. This form must be completed in full.
You can answer the questions in writing, or you can send us an audio or video recording in which you answer the same questions (max. 5 minutes, to be sent to applications@workspacebrussels.be). We would be happy to read or listen to you in Dutch, French or English.
Deadline and procedure
Please submit the application form or your recording by 31 May 2026 at the latest.
The selection will be made by workspacebrussels and Decoratelier and announced on 1 July 2026. We will select 1 artist or 1 collective.
Any questions? Contact Zita at workspacebrussels or Astrid at Decoratelier.