– Open call
How can the arts and cultural sector become more neuroinclusive?
Are you neurodivergent and interested in arts and culture, but often find spaces inaccessible or unwelcoming? Then this open call is for you. We are looking for eight people to join the Neuroinclusive Co-Creation Lab: a core group of participants who will help shape the direction of this project.
Our goal is to make arts and cultural spaces more neuroinclusive. We believe this starts with neurodivergent people themselves. That’s why this project centres the knowledge and lived experiences of neurodivergent people.
The project is a collaboration between Willem de Kooning academy, Neurodiversity Foundation and MaMA Rotterdam, and is developed and facilitated by neurodivergent people.
What is the Neuroinclusive Co-Creation Lab?
The lab is the heart of the project. Eight neurodivergent participants will meet approximately once a month over the course of one year.
In addition, we will organize around five workshops for a broader group of neurodivergent people. These workshops will be designed and facilitated by neurodivergent artists, makers and professionals. As a member of the lab, you will help shape the direction of these workshops and reflect on what emerges from them. Together, you’ll help determine how the project develops over time.
You don’t need any experience with art projects, research or co-creation. Your lived expertise is what matters most.
What will you do?
As a participant in the lab, you will:
- meet with the other participants approximately once a month;
- help shape the direction of the project;
- reflect on the workshops;
- help decide which ideas to develop further;
- contribute ideas on how to share the project’s outcomes.
Who are we looking for?
You do not need a degree, a formal diagnosis or a background in the arts.
We are looking for people who:
- identify as neurodivergent;
- live in or near Rotterdam;
- have an interest in arts and culture;
- are available for the first two meetings on 17 September and 1 October, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm;
- can participate in the monthly meetings throughout the project.
Two places are reserved for people who work in the cultural sector. The remaining six places are for people who do not work in the cultural sector.
Practical information
Project period: September 2026 – September 2027
First meetings: 17 September and 1 October
After that, the lab will meet approximately once a month on Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Compensation: €60 per meeting. Please note that travel expenses cannot be reimbursed.
The meetings will be held in Dutch or English, depending on the composition of the group.
How to apply
Would you like to take part? Please complete the application form by 16 August.
We ask you to include a short motivation (maximum 200 words). We’d love to hear who you are, why you’d like to participate, and what interests you about this project. You are free to choose the format that suits you best, such as written text, audio, video, or another format that feels comfortable for you.
After the open call closes, we will select a group based on the applications, aiming for a diversity of experiences and perspectives.
Application form: Click here
If you have any questions, please email felicitas@thisismama.nl.
This project is a collaboration between Willem de Kooning Academy, Neurodiversity Foundation and MaMA.
The project is made possible through funding from SIA Taskforce for Applied Research and the Cultural Participation Fund (Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie) through the Co-Creation and Cultural Participation grant program.