This years' encouragement opportunities were made possible thanks to the Keep an Eye Foundation, Stichting tot Steun, Stroom Den Haag, Academy Shop, Heden, Pulchri Studio, iii Development Residency, Jan Roëde Award and De Besturing. The grants comprise scholarships, coaching trajectories, residencies, exhibition of work and support with production work. Find the winners of the encouragement opportunities listed below.
Heden
The Heden Start Award was won by two up-and-coming talents:
Lukas Vonk - My Freak, Needs a Freak, To look Down Upon. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Pip Greenaway - Too Much To Swallow. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Although at first glance their graduation work is very different, Greenaway presented a video installation and Vonk a series of sculptures, the originality and complexity with which they approach relevant themes is similar, making their shared first place feel logical and inevitable.
Stroom
The Stroom Talent Award offers a coaching trajectory, execution and production budget for one year to the following graduates:
Anabel Peréz Lubián - they too must have been living out of their memory of the sun. Bachelor Fine Arts. More information about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Otso Prunnila - to remember a house. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Lola Brancovich - Disposition: Prototype #2. Bachelor ArtScience. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Sara Francola - unauthorised autobiography. Bachelor Photography. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Pulchri Studio
The Rotary Pulchri Studio Prijs 2025 (a exhibition in a stand at Art The Hague from 1 to 5 October and free Pulchri year membership) was awarded to:
Lucas Vonk - My Freak, Needs a Freak, To Look Down Upon. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The exhibition in the Tuingalerie at Pulchri Studio was awarded to:
Finn Emmen - Character 1, Character 2, and the Third Perspective. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Pip Greenaway - Too Much To Swallow. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Tair Uria - Overthinking While Executing Minor Actions. Master Artistic Research. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Work: Tair Uria, Graduation Show 2025
Jan Roëde award
The Jan Roëde Award comprises a scholarship of €3000. This prize was awarded to:
Otso Prunnila - To remember a house. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: The installation shows artistic maturity in a way that feels deeply personal and unique to Otko’s practice. It is clear that the artist devoted himself with an in-depth research to the subject matter and has managed to translate this into a well-considered artistic expression. The installation is as simple as it is complex, which highlights the most important quality of the work: Otso succeeded in setting the work free. It is about a house somewhere in Kotka, Finland, but even more so about any place, anywhere. This is everyone’s house.
The jury was moved by this delicate, poetic and intelligent work. There are endless possibilities for this story to keep growing, but in this moment it feels complete. Convinced by both the qualities of the work and the promising skill and spirit of the artist, the jury is delighted to announce Otso Prunnila as the winner of the Jan Roëde Award 2025.
Work: Otso Prunnila, Graduation Show 2025
iii Encouragement Opportunity 2025
The fifth edition of the iii Encouragement Opportunity (before: iii Residency Award), comprising of a 4 week residency at iii workspace, including a an artist fee and a production budget, was awarded to:
Anaïs Lossouarn - DE CŒUR EN CHOEURS [Hearts in Chorus | From heart to heart]. Master ArtScience. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Jury report: "In Anaïs’ installation, the care given to the audience’s experience is immediately apparent—the piece is both accessible and direct, yet layered with subtlety and complexity. One can immediately feel drawn deep inside a sonic scape of ‘DE CŒUR EN CHOEURS’, with its gentle visual and heartfelt resonance. Simple gestures produce powerful reverberations that speak to the imagination. Technology is used poetically—for example, the string that transmits the heartbeat vibrations from the transducers subtly echoes their fragility. Combined with the voice heard through the headphones, this creates an intimate and immersive experience, even within a busy exhibition space. The aural attunement to the soft presence of other bodies within the tactile contact with the artwork is beyond comprehension in words; it has to be experienced.
In our conversations, Anaïs came across as someone who can navigate unpredictability with confidence, allowing space for serendipity while remaining anchored in the core ideas and aspirations of the work. She clearly values process, and approaches challenges not as setbacks, but as openings for exploration and growth."
Honorary mention
Dominika Badyla - Cards against the machine. Bachelor Interactive Media Design. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: Her playful work, Cards against the machine, sets the stage for a conversation—a duet of whimsical gibberish that questions the relevance of dialogue in an age marked by solipsistic and ambiguous (mis)communication within Western, individualistic societies increasingly reliant on technological infrastructures.
Stichting tot Steun scholarships
The scholarships were awarded to:
Haevn Aalbersberg - Glass in Truck. Bachelor Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: The committee finds the work convincing. The small excavators made of stained glass with a beautiful shadow play show how you can very well convey a message with simple means. Playing with masculinity, being able to switch on and off the representation that life is, takes you into the imagined world of the young artist. The committee is enthusiastic about the layering of the work and also tasted the enormous energy and enthusiasm of the maker and has complete confidence in the development of the artist and his work.
June Gibbs - More or less. Bachelor Fashion & Textile. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: The committee was pleasantly surprised by the freedom and playful way in which June brings her motives to light. Complexity and stereotypes that everyone always encounters are questioned. June investigates standards and perceptions but is never didactic. She always knows how to find the right tone to air her thoughts with a wink. The films strongly refer to the theatre and therefore get exactly the extra layer that she wants to share with the viewer. The fashion-related final production has all the characteristics of visual arts and theatre and looks very professional. The committee sees ample opportunities for an interesting development and therefore wishes June a bright future.
Tim Ross - Hermann. Bachelor Photography. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: Tim Ross focuses on his grandfather's life during the Second World War. He does this in a way that situates him in the present day. Tim does not so much discuss his grandfather as the situation. The way in which the problems of the war are brought to attention, makes the grandfather part of the family and the associated love and respect, while the work also addresses current developments in the current playing field of world politics. The committee is impressed by the in-depth research that emerged in the book which is part of the exhibition. The committee is therefore convinced that both the maker and the work can make an important contribution to thinking about war and the person who plays a role in it and everything that is related to it. It is the systems that we must question, the judgment about the individual is of a completely different order.
Nadia Abadjieva - The Autobiography of My Car. Bachelor Interactive / Media / Design. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: The committee is impressed by the open, free and humorous atmosphere that the installation The Autobiography of My Car radiates. Nadja can create the same atmosphere with every prop and at every moment in her film and to captivate the viewer. Little surprises keep popping up. The viewer is always surprised while questions arise, and confrontations occur. The resulting construction of Nadja’s world creates the confidence that a path has been taken where there is still much to discover and to give. The viewer sees an authentic and convincing signature. The committee sees a lot of potential for the future.
Magdalena Salinas - With Salt it Hurts, With Salt it Heals. Master of Interior Architecture. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
The jury says: Magdelena made a brave statement: I feel like I’ve stumbled upon a clue, something complex, contradictory, devastating, and beautiful, that very few were paying attention to.
With “Salt it Hurts, With Salt it Heals” Magdalena shows a research project that explores the hidden costs of renewable energy. With field research anchored in Argentina’s Lithium Triangle she investigates salt, an abundant byproduct of lithium extraction as both a design material and a medium to question the environmental consequences of “green energy” lithium. In this research Magdalena raises a very essential question namely, “what is the preliminary phase of clean energy?”. In her project a fact emerges that frightens and angers us while the presentation testifies to a convincing sense of beauty, harmony and feeling for material. The future of this way of working will not always be a bed of roses and yet it is essential as a contribution to a livable world.
Olivier van den Brandt - The Myth of Space. Master Interior Architecture. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
In his project “A Fools Myth of Space” the committee saw a crazy young artist who humorously and respectfully makes the viewer look at his surroundings with completely different eyes. The freedom of spirit gives energy and is convincing. The approach and arrangement of both the films and the installation make the committee convinced that there is still much to hear of this free spirit that lies hidden in this young artist and is happy to give him ‘The Award for Courage and Integrity’.
Academiewinkel
Evalotte van Rossen - Het Kolenhok. BA Photography. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Lukas Vonk - My Freak, Needs A Freak, To Look Down Upon. BA Fine Arts. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Jasmijn Vermeeren - You Don't Look Sick. BA Photography. More about the work in the Graduation Catalogue.
Work: Lukas Vonk, Graduation Show 2025
Keep an Eye Textile & Fashion Scholarship
The Keep an Eye scholarship comprises €10.000 which was awarded to Asira Zai and Bas Pol.
