Open Call: “Making the Invisible Visible”
Art, Ecology & Research Project in the Amsterdamse Bos (Netherlands)
Application Deadline: April 23, 2025
Honorarium: €2,000 + project budget
Presentation: August 2025
The Amsterdamse Bos invites artists, designers, architects, scientists, philosophers, and activists to participate in “Making the Invisible Visible” — an open call exploring the hidden networks and unseen ecologies of the forest through artistic and research-based practices.
This initiative seeks to unveil the invisible beauty of fungal networks, soil life, microbes, insects, and underwater organisms that form the foundation of our planet’s ecosystem — yet often go unnoticed.
We are looking for imaginative, research-driven proposals that connect meaningfully with the Amsterdamse Bos and reveal new insights into its natural environment. Whether your practice involves installations, spatial design, speculative storytelling, biomaterials, or climate justice, we welcome diverse approaches.
Who Can Apply
Open to: Artists, architects, designers, landscape designers, scientists, philosophers, and activists with practices engaged in nature, ecology, climate, and the future of the planet
What’s Offered
- Honorarium: €2,000 (excl. VAT) per selected participant
- Research and development budget (amount based on project needs)
- Optional presentation opportunity in the Amsterdamse Bos (August 2025)
- Content support from the Amsterdamse Bos team
- Online documentation and campaign to share your process and raise public awareness
Timeline
- Open Call: March 27 – April 23, 2025
- Research & Development Phase: May – July 2025
- Production Preparation: Mid-July – Early August
- Presentation & Public Campaign: August 2025
How to Apply
Submit the following via the application portal.
- A short project description
- A link to your portfolio
- Deadline: April 23, 2025
- Evaluation criteria PDF (70 kB) (ensure your project aligns with the selection criteria)
About the Amsterdamse Bos
The Amsterdamse Bos places nature at the heart of society—a vision that has been central since its inception back in 1934. However, as our world and society evolve, a new perspective is needed to meet today’s challenges.
In the coming decades, we face major societal issues, including climate change and biodiversity loss, which threaten the quality of life on Earth. Scientific insights increasingly highlight the crucial role of nature, and the Amsterdamse Bos, in addressing these challenges.
Art has the power to translate complex and abstract themes into tangible and accessible experiences. Through imagination, form, and interaction, art offers new perspectives and makes ecological and societal issues more understandable. For this reason, the Amsterdamse Bos is committed to working more closely with artists and makers moving forward.
