The winner of the Roel Verniers Prize 2025 will receive:

— a co-production grant of €10,000 to realize an artistic concept;
— an invitation to present the realized concept at het TheaterFestival 2026 in Brussels;
— a preparatory “Pitch & Feedback” workshop by Aïcha Cissé, offered by Mestizo Arts Platform.

The eight finalists will receive:

— a personal business and legal advice session by Cultuurloket;
— a coaching session from detheatermaker;
— business follow-up and support from Amplo for one year.

How does it work?

Fill out this Google form, and email your artistic concept (maximum one A4 page or a video message of up to three minutes) plus your CV to [email protected]. The deadline is Friday May 30 2025.

We ask you to provide the following:

— Introduce yourself. Who are you and what has your artistic journey been so far?
— Present your project.
— What do you practically need to realize your project, as far as you can currently determine?
— What do you financially need to realize your project, as far as you can currently determine?
— Are you being supported? If so, how? (Financially, practically, through residencies, communications, application writing, dramaturgy, directing…?)
— What partnerships have you already established or are in progress?
— What development stage is your project currently in?

A professional jury will carefully review all artistic plans and select eight concepts. On Thursday June 19 2025, you’ll find out whether you’ve been selected to pitch. Mestizo Arts Platform and het TheaterFestival will offer the selected artists a preparatory “Pitch & Feedback” workshop on Tuesday September 2 (note: date subject to change), led by Alesandra Seutin, performer, choreographer, and dance educator.

On Friday September 5 2025, the selected artists will present their concepts live at the festival venue VIERNULVIER during het TheaterFestival, which takes place from Wednesday September 3 to Saturday September 13 2025, in Ghent. Mark this date in your calendar if you wish to participate.

At the end of the day, we will announce the winner of the Roel Verniers Prize 2025. The concept presentations and the award ceremony are open to the public.

Take your shot and join in!