KNIR Regulations

What is the KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellowship? 

The KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellowship is intended for artists (painters, sculptors, architects, photographers, writers, poets, filmmakers, choreographers, couturiers, actors and so on) who intend to carry out a project during a three-month stay in Rome that contributes specifically to cross-fertilisation between the arts and the sciences. The KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellowship was established jointly by the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (KNIR) and the Society of Arts. 

KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellows are expected to play an active role in the life of the KNIR’s academic community and to promote cross-fertilisation between the arts and the sciences there. This includes paying regular visits to the KNIR library, participating in KNIR-hosted activities (especially the weekly discussion evenings), giving presentations and organising activities associated with their artistic projects (for example a seminar day, exhibition, performance or expert meeting). Research at the KNIR in the domains of Antiquity/Archaeology, History and Art History focuses on the history of Rome and how it relates to world history, with a current emphasis on cultural and other forms of imperialism and colonialism from ancient times to the present. 

Who is eligible? 

• Members of the Society of Arts. 
• Artists who are Dutch nationals, live either in the Netherlands or abroad, and have been nominated by another individual. 
• Artists of other nationalities who live and work in the Netherlands and have been nominated by another individual. 

What does a KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellow receive? 

• A monthly stipend amounting to €1900 (gross), totalling €5700 (gross) for three months. 
• Temporary housing in a KNIR guest apartment. The KNIR is located on the outskirts of the Villa Borghese Gardens, within walking distance of Rome’s historic centre. 
• A temporary study carrel in the KNIR library. IT facilities and secretarial support are also provided. There are no artist’s studios. 
• A monthly budget of €1000 maximum to cover travel and expenses for activities associated with the artistic project undertaken at the KNIR. Out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed after appropriate documentation is submitted. 
• Fellows are themselves responsible for remittances to the tax authorities in the Netherlands or other country where they are liable to pay tax. 

When and how should I apply? 

Applications and nominations may be submitted in 2025 (for the Fellowship starting in September 2025 and ending in December 2025). 

Applications must be submitted using the online application form. The form will be posted on the Society of Arts website at the start of the 2025 application period. 

When will I be notified of the outcome? 

The KNIR and the Society of Arts notify candidates of the outcome of their application/nomination within a month of the submission deadline. 

Who assesses and selects the candidates? 

The KNIR director and the Society of Arts chairperson assess the candidates as a group and decide who will be awarded the fellowship. The official secretary of the Society of Arts plays an advisory role in this process. The assessment is based on pre-determined criteria (see below). 

What are the assessment criteria? 

• A well-defined objective and clear description of the project to be carried out during the artist's residency at the KNIR; 
• The candidate's general motives for wanting to contribute to cross-fertilisation between the arts and the sciences; 
• The potential that the project offers for engaging in dialogue with scholars and scientists conducting research at KNIR; 
• A clear description of the artist’s proposed activities; 
• The specific outcome of the residency at the KNIR, for example a publication, essay or concept/framework that will be shared publicly; 
• The added value of a residency at the KNIR. 

What are the accountability requirements? 

• The KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellow must ensure that the project result (or the process leading to that result) is made available for presentation on the KNIR and Society of Arts websites by providing suitable visual material and explanatory notes during or shortly after their residency at the KNIR. Creative works resulting from the residency must bear the name and logo of the Society of Arts and KNIR. 
• During the final month of the fellowship, the KNIR-Society of Arts Artist-in-Residence Fellow must submit a brief report to both the Society of Arts and the KNIR describing the activities and results of the fellowship. 
• Within a year of the end of their residency at the KNIR, the Artist-in-Residence Fellow must have engaged in a public activity based on the project that formed the basis for their residency and in consultation with the Society of Arts and the KNIR. 

About the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome 

The Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (KNIR) is an academic institute based in Rome whose mission is to promote Dutch university education and research, either by developing its own activities or by facilitating and/or supporting the activities of others. As the largest and oldest of the Dutch Academic Institutes Abroad (NWIB), the KNIR is co-owned by the six traditional Dutch universities (University of Amsterdam, University of Groningen, Leiden University, Radboud University, Utrecht University, and VU University Amsterdam). 

Questions? 

Contact the Society of Arts at avk@knaw.nl