HMK introduces new selection process

Hotel Maria Kapel (HMK) is changing the way artists are selected for our residency. Instead of the usual open call, HMK is introducing an experimental hybrid selection process which departs from dialogue with artists and partner institutions. 

In collaboration with Instituto Buena Bista (Curaçao), Cemeti Art Institute (Indonesia), MORPHO (Antwerp) and La Capella (Barcelona), HMK designed this selection process that addresses the imbalance between supply and demand within small-scale institutions. With this renewed selection process, HMK aims to create a residency program in which artists and HMK as an institution work together in an equal and careful manner, with room for dialogue and experimentation. Therefore, the selection process does not consist of an interview after the project proposal, but rather before the artist starts drafting a proposal. This way, the pre-selected artists are given the opportunity to ask questions and start a dialogue with the HMK prior to the development of their project proposal. This way, the proposal comes to life with valuable input from the dialogue, and there is a high chance of being selected for the residency, and in case the artist is not selected, there is financial compensation for their time investment. 

We seek artists and makers who question and challenge assumptions, and who are able to translate the invisible structures and changing moments of our time through their practice, creating and sharing an experience during the residency. Artists are selected based on the substantive relationship of their project to the 16th-century chapel, the contribution the project makes to their own practice, research and development, and the public moment the project encompasses, such as an exhibition, performance, lecture, publication or workshop. It also looks at their engagement with local communities and the methods used to foster dialogue and interaction in the context of Hoorn.

This process offers an alternative to the hierarchy in the selection process, and recognises the historical and colonial context of the European port cities involved (Hoorn, Antwerp and Barcelona). Involving associated partners from Indonesia and Curaçao creates a bridge between the colonised and colonising countries and the exchange of (embodied) knowledge. We believe in the role of the artist within society to question and break existing social, historical and behavioural patterns.