Open Call
Tower of Babel
Are you the artist we’re looking for? Take part in this open call for a chance to be included in the upcoming exhibition Tower of Babel. We invite you to submit work that offers a contemporary perspective on the themes from the myth of the Tower of Babel – especially the role of language in society.
A selection of at least twenty works will be presented from 21 November 2026 to 17 May 2027 in the group exhibition Tower of Babel at Stedelijk Museum Breda. This exhibition is a co-production of Bijbels Museum and Stedelijk Museum Breda.
The application form will be available here from 1 November.
Theme
"At one time, the whole world spoke a single language." Multivocality and (Babylonian) confusion of tongues are as relevant today as they were in the time of the Tower of Babel. This open call invites artists to reflect on the theme of language in the broadest sense. Think: AI, body language, youth slang, multilingualism, coded communication, and beyond. We're looking for fresh, modern takes on an ancient story.
Who can apply?
This open call is open to all artistic disciplines, and to creators of varied experience levels, ages, and cultural backgrounds. The resulting exhibition aims to give voice to a multitude of perspectives on today’s society.
Selected artists will receive a fair artist fee for their participation. Eligibility criteria:
- Artists from all disciplines are welcome.
- Both established and emerging artists (minimum of 3 years of artistic practice).
- Submissions may be individual or collective.
- You must be based in the Netherlands, and your work must also be located in the Netherlands.
- Full criteria available here.
Practical info
Want to take part? Submissions for the Tower of Babel open call are accepted until Sunday 14 December 2025 at 23:59 CET.
Before submitting, please read the full guidelines regarding the criteria, conditions, and artist fee.
From 1 November, you can fill in the application form via the button on our website. You’ll receive a confirmation email within two weeks of submission.
Selection committee
The selection committee for Tower of Babel consists of: Pavèl van Houten – visual artist and curator (chair), Ayra Kip – writer, curator and co-founder of Kip Republic, Jurnick Koeiman – youth mentor at Grote Broer Grote Zus Breda, Marjolein van de Ven – curator of contemporary art and Head of Programmes & Public Stedelijk Museum Breda and Carolien Croon – director Bijbels Museum
This exhibition is made possible with support from:
- Vermeulen Brauckman Stichting
- Friends of the Bijbels Museum
