Art Commission

• Information from the commissioning party concerning your own profile.
• The plan, including a motivation for the choice of the artist and the commissioned work, the way in which the collaboration offers added value for both artist and commissioning party, a study sketch of the work, and a presentation plan that explains how a suitable audience will be reached.
• Explanation of the work of the artist.
• Curriculum vitae of the artist.
• Visual documentation of the work of the artist, including a plan or study sketch.
• (General) budget with financing plan, including an explanation of financial agreements made between the client and the artist, with a realistic artist fee made available by the commissioning party.
• Where applicable: long-term plans for the work, such as a possible purchase after a longer working relationship between a museum and an artist.

In the case of a one-off commission or long-term collaboration:

• Your own role and qualities as a commissioning party
  • Do you inspire sufficient confidence that as a commissioning party, you are able to realise successful, publicly accessible art? Consider e.g. your vision regarding commissions, your organisational qualities, expertise and the fulfilment of your role as commissioning party.
  • In the case that you have previously been a commissioning party: Were earlier commissions for artists and/or collaborations positively received? If so, this will be considered favourably.
  • If this is your first commission, this will be considered favourably.
• The quality and development of the oeuvre*
  • Is there evidence of a distinctive artistic vision and is this convincingly conveyed in previous work?
  • Is the work of distinctive quality within the context of professional contemporary visual art? (Consider e.g. the substantive significance of the work, its inherent imaginative strength, the command of the selected mediums and/or techniques and the work’s power of expression).
  • Is there evidence of a convincing development of the oeuvre appropriate to the phase of the artist’s practice?
• The quality of the cultural entrepreneurship*
  Does the artist make convincing efforts to promote the understanding and appreciation of the intentions of the work? And does this result in increased visibility and appreciation of the practice within professional contemporary art circles?
• The significance of the commission**
  • Is the commission significant in relation to the context within which the work will be presented? Consider e.g. the local and regional context or a topical, social context.
• The quality of the commission**
  • Are the artistic principles of the plan of an appropriate quality and are they convincingly conveyed in the planned work?
  • Is the plan of an appropriate quality? Consider e.g. the significance of the plan, the inherent imaginative strength, the command of the selected mediums and/or techniques and the plan’s power of expression.
  • Is the plan feasible within the practical and artistic principles?
• Visibility of the work and the quality of the presentation plan
  • Is the work sufficiently visible to the audience?
  • Does the plan include a convincing strategy to reach a relevant audience?

*The background and context of the professional practice will be taken into consideration during the assessment, e.g. schooling, cultural context and the nature and duration of the professional practice.

** Please note that this criterion carries more weight in the decision-making process, as this is a policy focus point within the grant.

In the case of development contribution:

• Your own role and qualities as a commissioning party
  • Do you inspire sufficient confidence that as a commissioning party, you are able to realise successful, publicly accessible art? Consider e.g. your vision regarding commissions, your organisational qualities, expertise and the fulfilment of your role as commissioning party.
  • In the case that you have previously been a commissioning party: Were earlier commissions for artists and/or collaborations positively received? If so, this will be considered favourably.
  • If this is your first commission, this will be considered favourably.
• The significance of the commission*
  • Is the plan significant in relation to the context of the project? Consider e.g. the local and regional context or a topical, social context.
• The quality of the plan for the commission*
  • Are the artistic principles in the plan of an appropriate quality and does this inspire confidence that it will result in a good commission?
  • If applicable: is there sufficient confidence in the expertise of the involved professionals?

* Please note that this criterion carries more weight in the decision-making process, as this is a policy focus point within the grant.

Recent and up-to-date extract from the Chamber of Commerce register

• Organisation: upload an extract from the Chamber of Commerce register no more than 1 year old.
• Private individual: If you have a corporate bank account for your business, please also upload a recent Chamber of Commerce extract (max. 3 months old), so that we can confirm that the bank account is linked to a sole proprietorship.

Information about the commissioner (max. 4 pages)

• Describe your own profile as the person or organization offering the commission. Give an explanation of the organization, the institution or the initiative. Also describe any commissions already given to artists and/or possible collaborations with cultural institutions ( for example art platforms or museums). Outline how the organisation works towards the production of publicly accessible art. Consider e.g. your vision regarding commissions, your organisational qualities, expertise and the fulfilment of your role as a commissioning party.
• If you are applying on behalf of a cultural institution, briefly describe the mission, vision and objective of the organization, its programme of activities and/or collection. Provide insight into the public reach and visibility of the activities and, if applicable, the collection.

Applying codes

Cultural institutions subscribe to the Fair Practice Code, the Culture Governance Code and the Diversity & Inclusion Code. Compliance with the Fair Practice Code automatically means that the institution implements the Guideline for Artists’ Fees. Concisely outline how the institution views the codes, and how they are embedded in the organisation.

Plan (max. 15 pages)

Describe and motivate:

• the substantive concept and objectives of the commission;
• how the collaboration represents added value to the artist’s oeuvre, and to you as commissioner;
• the selection of the artist and the commission;
• the context of the project;
• the sketch design (not required in the case of long-term collaborations);
• the long-term plans for the work, including potential sale;
• your own substantive and financial contribution;
• the financial and professional agreements with the artist regarding fee, ownership, rights and other relevant concerns;

Presentation plan (max. 3 pages)

Describe how the work will be presented, including a presentation plan outlining how an appropriate audience will be reached. Also indicate the expected number of visitors, describe the target groups, why these target groups have been selected, and how the activities will engage these groups.

CV(s) of artist(s) (max. 3 pages)

For each artist, include a concise CV with the most important information about their professional practice, with an emphasis on the last 1 to 4 years, such as exhibitions (indicate whether it was a solo or group exhibition), events, commissions, awards and publications (with dates). Also mention any ancillary activities, such as teaching and consulting positions. Please include all CVs in one PDF.

Explanation of work and cultural entrepreneurship (max. 3 pages)

Describe the artistic vision/guiding principles of the work, how these are expressed in the work, and the selected mediums and/or techniques. How has the work developed, and what has the artist done to achieve this development? In the case of a collaboration, please outline the artist’s role.

Also state what the artist does to further their cultural entrepreneurship. What efforts does the artist make to convey the intentions of the work, so that these are understood and appreciated? Which mediums are used to these ends, and how? Consider e.g. social media and/or website, investment in the network, collaboration with a gallery or art institution, participation in open calls.

* If more than 3 artists are involved with the application, the maximum number of pages per artist is 2. Add all explanations in one PDF.

Statement from the involved artist(s) and participating parties (if applicable)
Demonstrating permission for submitting the application to the Mondriaan Fund. Also stating that the involved artist is aware of and in agreement with the financial structure of the commission. Add all declarations in one PDF. View an example statement of consent here.

(Visual) documentation (max. 20 pages) 

You must also upload visual documentation material for this application. Please note! This is mandatory. If you do not do this, your application cannot be processed.
Compile a PDF presenting the artist’s most important works from the last 4 years:

• Begin with the most recent work. Ideally highlight a comparable number of works per year, so that the committee can see how your work has developed.
• Include 1 image per page. If you need to show a (spatial) work from different angles, you can include multiple images of that specific work on 1 page. This is permitted on a maximum of 5 of the 20 pages.
• You can also upload audio or video/film fragments totalling up to 15 minutes (the committee will require these if you make films, performances, video installations or audio works).
• Applicants using publications to present or make their work can upload a PDF of a maximum of 1 publication or a short video in which the publication is featured. The publication is for the committee’s perusal and may not be viewed in full. Publications sent to us by post will not be presented to the committee.

Note: You can upload a maximum of 500 MB of images and audio or video/film fragments. Click here for the technical specifications.

Documentation list (max. 2 pages)

Include a numbered documentation list (in PDF) that corresponds with your visual documentation, with descriptions or captions for the relevant images, sound, video or film clips. (For example: 01, Title, 2020, loop 2 min.)

Please note: do not use hyperlinks in the PDF with (visual) documentation material and in the documentation list. We cannot accept hyperlinks (to web pages for example) because the supplied image material may not be adjusted during the processing of the application.

Budget (state: excluding VAT)

• One-off commission
  View an explanation of the budget here. If the application concerns a concrete commission, we require a specified budget and financing plan, not only the part for which a contribution from the Mondriaan Fund is being applied. This should include a realistic fee for the artist, in addition to the production costs and expenses, in line with the guidelines of the Central Government Real Estate Agency or the Guideline for Artists’ Fees. Art institutions can apply for an Artist’s Fee grant to help cover the artist’s fee.
• Long-term collaboration
  If the application concerns a long-term collaboration, we require a global budget and financing plan. This must include a realistic fee for the artist, to be paid by the client, in addition to the production costs and expenses (e.g. transport costs, accommodation costs, etc.). It should also include a declaration that the project cannot be realised without a contribution from the Mondriaan Fund. The Guideline for Artists’ Fees must be adhered to when determining the artist’s fee.

Quotations for notable entries in the budget 

Quotes are obligatory for notable entries and expenses above € 1,000. Please add all quotes in one PDF.

Letters confirming contributions from third parties

Add all letters in one PDF.

Bank details

If your application is approved, we need your bank account number in order to transfer funds. If the organisation has not previously submitted an application to the Mondriaan Fund or if the account number has changed since the previous application, please upload a recent bank statement clearly stating the name of the account holder and IBAN/bank account number of the applying institution. Applicants established in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom can provide a bank statement or other document from the bank stating the name of the account holder and bank account number.

If you have a business bank account for your one-person business, include a recent (less than 3 months old) copy of your registration with the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK, Chamber of Commerce), showing that you are the sole proprietor of the account.

If applicable:

Proof from Tax Administration (if not liable to VAT)

If you or the organisation for which you are applying are not liable to VAT and you would like to apply for a contribution including VAT, we require official proof from the Tax Administration confirming that you or the organisation are not liable to VAT.

Personal Records Database (BRP) extract

If the artist or artists do not have Dutch nationality, include a recent extract, no more than 1 year old, from the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) where they live, showing that they reside in the Netherlands.

Artist’s/artists’ diplomas

If the artist has been professionally active for less than 3 years and has completed an arts course with a visual arts curriculum, we require a copy of the diploma from the course. If applicable, submit the diplomas in one PDF.

Recent and up-to-date extract from the Chamber of Commerce register

• Organisation: upload an extract from the Chamber of Commerce register no more than 1 year old.
• Private individual: If you have a corporate bank account for your business, please also upload a recent Chamber of Commerce extract (max. 3 months old), so that we can confirm that the bank account is linked to a sole proprietorship.

Information about the commissioner (max. 4 pages)

• Describe the profile of the commissioning party; provide an explanation of the organisation, the institution or the initiative. Also describe any commissions already given to artists and/or possible collaborations with cultural institutions (e.g. museums or institutions hosting presentations). Explain the visibility of your activities and how you reach an audience for your activities. Outline how the organisation works towards the production of publicly accessible art. Consider e.g. your vision regarding commissions, your organisational qualities, expertise and the fulfilment of your role as a commissioning party.
• If you are applying on behalf of a cultural institution: briefly describe the mission, vision and objective of the organisation, its programme of activities and/or collection. Outline the public reach and visibility of the activities and, if applicable, the collection.

Applying codes

Cultural institutions subscribe to the Fair Practice Code, the Culture Governance Code and the Diversity & Inclusion Code. Compliance with the Fair Practice Code automatically means that the institution implements the Guideline for Artists’ Fees. Concisely outline how the institution views the codes, and how they are embedded in the organisation.

Plan (max. 5 pages)

• Describe and give account of:
• • the guiding principles and objective of the commission or long-term collaboration;
  • what you would like to develop or research;
  • the context of the project;
  • what kind of expertise you require, and which professionals you would like to hire.

Budget (state: excluding VAT)

View an explanation of the budget here. Upload a specified budget and financing plan for the total project, not only the part for which a contribution from the Mondriaan Fund is being applied. This should include a realistic fee for the artist, in addition to the production costs and expenses, in line with the guidelines of the Central Government Real Estate Agency or the Guideline for Artists’ Fees. Art institutions can apply for an Artist’s Fee grant to help cover the artist’s fee.

Letters confirming contributions from third parties

Add all letters in one PDF.

Quotations for notable entries in the budget 

Quotes are obligatory for notable entries and expenses above € 1,000. Please add all quotes in one PDF.

If artist(s) has already been confirmed:

CV(s) of artist(s) (max. 3 pages)

For each artist, include a concise CV with the most important information about their professional practice, with an emphasis on the last 1 to 4 years, such as exhibitions (indicate whether it was a solo or group exhibition), events, commissions, awards and publications (with dates). Also mention any ancillary activities, such as teaching and consulting positions. Please include all CVs in one PDF.

Explanation of work and cultural entrepreneurship (max. 3 pages)*

Describe the artistic vision/guiding principles of the work, how these are expressed in the work, and the selected mediums and/or techniques. How has the work developed, and what has the artist done to achieve this development? In the case of a collaboration, please outline the artist’s role.

Also state what the artist does to further their cultural entrepreneurship. What efforts does the artist make to convey the intentions of the work, so that these are understood and appreciated? Which mediums are used to these ends, and how? Consider e.g. social media and/or website, investment in the network, collaboration with a gallery or art institution, participation in open calls.

* If more than 3 artists are involved with the application, the maximum number of pages per artist is 2. Add all explanations in one PDF.

Statement from the involved artist(s) and participating parties (if applicable)
Demonstrating permission for submitting the application to the Mondriaan Fund. Also stating that the involved artist is aware of and in agreement with the financial structure of the commission. Add all declarations in one PDF. View an example statement of consent here.

If applicable:

Bank details

If your application is approved, we need your bank account number in order to transfer funds. If the organisation has not previously submitted an application to the Mondriaan Fund or if the account number has changed since the previous application, please upload a recent bank statement clearly stating the name of the account holder and IBAN/bank account number of the applying institution. Applicants established in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom can provide a bank statement or other document from the bank stating the name of the account holder and bank account number.

If you have a business bank account for your one-person business, include a recent (less than 3 months old) copy of your registration with the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK, Chamber of Commerce), showing that you are the sole proprietor of the account.

Proof from Tax Administration (if not liable to VAT)

If you or the organisation for which you are applying are not liable to VAT and you would like to apply for a contribution including VAT, we require official proof from the Tax Administration confirming that you or the organisation are not liable to VAT.

If applicable to artists:

Diplomas of participating artist(s)

If the artist(s) has/have been professionally active for less than 3 years and has/have completed an arts course with a visual arts curriculum, we require a copy of the diploma from the course. If applicable, submit the diplomas on one PDF.

Personal Records Database (BRP) extract

If the artist or artists do not have Dutch nationality, include a recent extract, no more than 1 year old, from the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) where they live, showing that they reside in the Netherlands.