Belgium will host a European Capital of Culture for the fifth time, after Antwerp in 1993, Brussels in 2000, Bruges in 2002, and Mons in 2015.  On the short list are three cities: Leuven, Molenbeek, and Namur. This is a very exciting challenge because all 3 cities are working hard on very challenging projects in a country that, although small, is in the heart of Europe and has contradictions that can turn into opportunities.

In Namur, in recent days, the Kikk association has launched 2 very interesting calls: Astronomy and Ecological Futures.

The KIKK galaxy, which promotes digital and creative cultures at the crossroads of art, science, technology and society, along with  its Creative Hub: TRAKK, in collaboration with UNamur (University of Namur) Astronomical Observatory and the Delta, the cultural space of the Province of Namur  is launching an Arts & Sciences residency program around astronomy. 

Two artists and/or collectives will be welcomed in residence (one international and one from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation – resident in Brussels or in Wallonia) in the beautiful residency studios (2 apartments that can each accommodate up to 4 people) located on the rooftop of the Delta in Namur.  Each artist (or collective) will receive a grant of 5.000 € to develop a new media art or art & science project on the theme of astronomy, along with curatorial and scientific support.

This residency is exclusively open to visual artists working in the fields of new media arts, art & science, and art & technology. We do not accept proposals in music, performance art, theater, dance, music, or other live art forms.

Dates: Aug 25  – Sept 17, 2025

Apply by: April 28th, 2025 by filling out this form here.

Residency: Astronomy
The residency invites artists to explore the cosmos through the lens of art, science, and technology. Hosted at the Antoine Thomas Astronomical Observatory of the University of Namur, the program provides a unique setting where scientific exploration meets artistic imagination.

Observing the Universe: Science & Exploratio

The observatory, equipped with four telescopes—including Wallonia’s only high-definition solar telescope—enables the observation of celestial bodies, from the Sun-Earth-Moon system to distant galaxies. By filtering light pollution, it allows a deeper engagement with astronomical phenomena, revealing the hidden layers of the universe beyond human perception.

Artistic Research & Creation
The residency encourages artists to reinterpret scientific data and explore cosmic themes such as:
Exoplanets, black holes, and gravity
Space debris and the movement of celestial bodies
Time, light, and space on a cosmic scale
By using AI, expanded light spectrum analysis, sound, and data-driven visuals, artists can transform astronomical observations into immersive visuals, sculptures, or sonic experiences. How might we rethink our relationship to the cosmos through artistic creation?

Residents will receive
A €5,000 grant for project development, covering materials, food, and travel expenses.
Accommodation in a fully equipped studio at the Delta, including a kitchenette, workspace, bedroom, bathroom, and internet access.
Curatorial, scientific, and technical guidance, including exchanges with astrophysicists and researchers from the observatory.
Access to the Protolab and Medialab at TRAKK
A potential opportunity to present their work at KIKK Festival or Le Pavillon, the digital art space managed by KIKK.
Public Engagement Requirement : During the residency, each artist will participate in a public event (e.g workshop, talk or  discussion) to share insights about their artistic practice and research.

Residency “Ecological Futures”  
Two artists and/or collectives will be welcomed in residence : one international artist & one artist from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (resident in Brussels or in Wallonia), in the beautiful studios (2 apartments that can each accommodate up to 2 people) located at the Centre Culturel des Abattoirs de Bomel from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 30, 2025. 

Each artist (or collective) will receive a grant of 5.000 € to develop a new media art or art & science project  project, along with curatorial and scientific support..

This residency is exclusively open to visual artists working in the fields of new media arts, art & science, and art & technology. They do not accept proposals in music, performance art, theater, dance, music, or other live art forms.

Dates: May 5 – May 30, 2025

Apply by: March 8, 2025 by filling out this form here. 

The residency provides a unique opportunity for visual artists and artistic researchers to work at the intersection of art, science, technology, and ecology. The aim is to foster art-driven interdisciplinary research and artistic creation that critically addresses and creatively explores ecological futures through digital and technological media.

They invite proposals that engage with themes such as:
- The climate crisis and global warming
- Biodiversity loss and non-human ecologies
- Models of human and non-human co-existence
- Biotechnological innovations and their cultural impact
- The decolonization of nature and ecological ethics

They are specifically looking for projects in new media arts, including but not limited to:
Generative and AI-driven art
Data visualization & sonification
Biotechnology & bioart
Interactive & immersive installations
Digital fabrication & speculative design
Algorithmic, robotic & kinetic art
XR (VR, AR, MR) projects
This residency does not support performance-based work, live art, theater, dance, music, or purely textual/literary projects.

Residents will receive
A 5.000 € grant for the development of their project. This includes the expenses for materials, food and travel.
Accommodation (studio from 39 to 47m2) with a bathroom, a kitchenette, an office space and a bedroom space and an internet connection.
Curatorial, scientific, and technical guidance.
Access to specialized tools and expertise in the Fab Lab: 3D printers, vinyl cutter, digital milling machine, laser cutter, electronic equipment, woodworking, ...
Access to specialized tools in the Medialab: sound studio, binaural microphone heads, motion capture suits, VR headsets, computer optimized for game engines.
Use of the workshops of the CCN/Centre culture de Namur: on the site of the Abattoirs de Bomel: woodworking, ironwork and silk-screening workshops; assistance and initiation by the technical management
A potential opportunity to present their project at KIKK Festival or Le Pavillon.
Public Engagement Requirement: During the residency, each artist will participate in a public-facing event (e.g., a workshop, talk, or discussion) to share insights about their artistic practice and research.  

Other info here.