Residency for Immersive Arts & Research
Open Call: 07.02.26—13.03.26
Stage IX is initiated by six leading institutions working across diverse immersive practices, united by a shared belief in artistic practice as a form of knowledge production.
Open Call opens on 07.02.26
What is Stage IX?
Stage IX is an artistic research project for artists operating at the intersection of art and technology. Stage IX is now calling for artists who are looking to push boundaries and shape the future of immersive experiences (IX) within a framework of shared learning. Supported by an ecosystem of curators, makers, producers, educators, researchers and technologists, residents gain access to dedicated time, tools, facilities and venues to test their ideas within an environment that prioritises process over predetermined outcomes.
Artistic inquiry and community-building are at the core of the programme. Residents participate in collective activities, including introductory workshops, sprints in advanced technical facilities, peer-to-peer research exchange and public-facing moments of dialogue. The residency program is organised in two cycles in 2026 and 2027, each cycle spans 8–10 months and includes an R&D budget and stipend per each artist.
For the 2026 Open Call, Stage IX will select two emerging artists (2–4 years of experience) and one established artist (5+ years of experience).
Who can apply?
Stage IX welcomes artists working across the full spectrum of IX, where immersion is treated as an artistic strategy that engages the senses and creates a sense of presence in digital, physical, and hybrid environments. Relevant practices may include, but are not limited to, AR, VR, XR, videogames, interactive experiences, kinetic installations, scenography, spatial sound, technology-driven performance and immersive theatre.
The residency is structured into two tracks:
- Artists with 2-4 years of experience
This track offers a clear and supportive structure, with close mentorship throughout the residency. The programme runs for eight months and includes a two-month onboarding period, and takes place during a fixed timeframe between May 2026 – December 2027. - Artists with 5+ years of experience
This track offers up to ten months of residency time, with flexibility in how and when the time is used between May 2026 – March 2027. It includes a one-month onboarding period.
What to submit?
Ideal proposals start with curiosity. Stage IX supports open-ended artistic research proposals that unfold over time; projects shaped by testing, reflection and exchange. Residency outcomes may take many forms, ranging from prototypes and experiments to documentation and other forms of knowledge-sharing that contribute to a wider artistic and technological ecosystem. Each residency includes at least one public-facing moment to share the research process and engage others in dialogue.
Open Call opens on 07.02.26Selection criteria
- Artistic merit
The originality, vision, and overall quality of the proposal. - Research approach
The clarity and rigor of the proposed research question(s), and the feasibility of the inquiry within the residency’s timeframe and resources. - Impact & relevance
The proposal’s relevance to Stage IX’s emphasis on experimentation and collaboration, and its engagement with the programme facilities, expertise and collaborative opportunities.
Selection process
- Internal Review
A cross-institutional selection committee, composed of representatives from the partner organisations, reviews all applications and identifies the shortlist. - External Jury
Shortlisted applications are assessed by an external jury, providing independent perspectives and final recommendations.
Timeline
- Submission opens 7 February 2026
- Submission closes 13 March 2026
- Selection committee Mid-March 2026
- Jury deliberation April 2026
- Selected residents notified Mid-April 2026
- Residency start May 2026
About Stage IX
Stage IX brings together six institutions in the field of immersive media, each serving a key role in the IX value chain:
Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK) supports the next generation of immersive media makers through its interdisciplinary academies, including the Netherlands Film Academy’s VR & Immersive Media programmes, the IDLab for XR and immersive performing arts, and the Conservatorium’s Live Electronics Department.
Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the national research institute for mathematics and computer science, contributes advanced research in XR, volumetric capture, telepresence, AI, and human–computer interaction. CWI enables artist-led experimentation alongside rigorous technical development and audience testing.
Nxt Museum is dedicated space for immersive exhibitions and experiences at the intersection of art, science, and technology. It commissions and presents ground-breaking new media art installations by pioneering living artists.
POPKRAFT is a production studio that supports artists, curators, and venues with multidisciplinary tools, technical expertise, and mentorship, guiding immersive and cross-media projects from initial concept to final presentation.
Ruimtetijd is a creative platform for IX, rooted in scenography and spatial design for theatre and museums. Located within five hectares of open landscape at the Fort Penningsveer estate, RT serves as the home base of the residency programme.
4DSOUND is a creative studio at the forefront of spatial audio software and omnidirectional sound systems. Working with artists worldwide, it produces pioneering sonic experiences across music, art, education, and research.