Call for applications 2026: Advanced Master of Research in Art and Design at Sint Lucas Antwerpen

Sint Lucas Antwerpen welcomes applications for the 2026–27 Advanced Master of Research in Art and Design program!

Are you an artist or designer working on social-political concerns and do you need more time for your practice-based research? Are you looking for a nurturing research environment with critical but caring peers and tutors? Do you want to improve your writing, theoretical framework and artistic methodologies? Are you in search for the right formats and contexts to share your artistic research experiments and doubts? Are you planning to apply for a practice-based PhD in the arts? Are you able to dedicate yourself to an intense and intensive artistic research process?

The Advanced Master of Research in Art and Design program focuses on the research development of artists and designers whose practice is addressing a social-political context (including, but not limited to, feminism, social design, migration, decolonization, race, gender, queer, class, disability politics, capitalism, the Anthropocene, the (under)commons, community art, critical design, healing & rituals, history, AI & digital culture…). The program is developed in accordance with the specific research proposals, interests and needs of the participants. We offer intense coaching in writing, critical theory, artistic research methodologies and in sharing research. The coaching is individual, collective and participatory.

Collective learning and participatory coaching are central to the program. We ask from each participant the engagement to care for and contribute to each other’s research development and well-being. We offer a nurturing research environment of dedicated and experienced tutors, researchers and PhD students as well as an international and local network of professionals, institutions and guest lecturers. Participants have access to the workshop facilities of Sint Lucas Antwerpen and the support of technical staff (photographic labs, ceramics, digital printing, printmaking etc.). We work with a small team of maximum twelve participants.

Who?

The Advanced Master of Research in Art and Design is intended for candidates who have previously obtained an MA degree. Holders of either a master’s in visual arts or in other subjects with an active arts or design practice are invited to apply with a letter of motivation, a research proposal and a relevant portfolio.

We are looking for artists or designers who have developed an individual or collaborative practice and who are in the position to dedicate themselves for the duration of the program to a research project related to their practice. The program is particularly suitable for those interested in critically developing their practice within a social-political field or in preparation for a practice-based PhD in the arts.

Practical Information

The participants meet in Antwerp every two or three weeks for three full days, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. These three days are dedicated to four modules: Methodology, Writing, Critical Theory and ShareResearch. In these modules we focus on the participants’ specific research proposals and enable them to advance in writing, theoretical explorations, research methodology and sharing their research. Parallel to this trajectory, we also organize three intensive weeks. These are full-time research weeks with international or local artists or designers across the fields of artistic research.

The workload and intensity of the program are not to be underestimated, and we therefore recommend candidates to realistically assess their situation before applying. Ideally, participants are based in or relocate to Antwerp or Belgium.

To read more about the research projects of previous participants and the Advanced Master program, check www.adma.be.

The application process for the 2026–27 program closes on 24 February 2026. On positive evaluation of your research proposal, you will be invited for an online interview on 16, 17 or 18 March 2026. The program starts IRL in Antwerp in September 2026 and lasts till the end of June 2027.

You can read more important info and apply here

On 11 February 2026 we will organise an online and on campus open day! Follow our Instagram for more info, or email adma@kdg.be.

There will be a second open call in May 2026, however this call is especially important for those applicants requiring a visa to study in Belgium. Applying now will give you the time to apply for your visa and arrange to relocate.

For more info, please contact Joud Toamah, the program coordinator, at adma@kdg.be.

Image: Mohammad Tamim Sahibzada, Calligraphy on flour (2025), Advanced Master intensive week with Vijai Maia Patchineelam. Photo: Cristina Gențiana Dumitrașcu.