Open Call: Design the Visual Identity for the ELIA Biennial Conference 2026

ELIA 2024 in Milan

Photo: Davide Marchesi and Carlo Cozzoli

In a time of growing polarization, this edition of ELIA encourages us to deliberately explore the edges. Going Off Centre is about seeking unexpected perspectives that help art and education reclaim their space in the public discourse.

In November 2026, ArtEZ University of the Arts will host the 19th edition of the ELIA Biennial Conference. This international gathering brings together hundreds of arts educators, artists, designers, and researchers from across Europe — this time, in Zwolle. For this special occasion, we are looking for a designer, design studio or collective to create the visual identity of the event.

Will you design the face of a leading European arts education conference?

We warmly invite alumni of ArtEZ University of the Arts to apply through this open call. The visual identity you develop will be the face of the conference — visible in print, online, moving image, and throughout the event itself. It should reflect the theme Going Off Centre and be flexible, inspiring, accessible and sustainable. It must also resonate with an international audience.

What will you create?

Think: a logo, visual elements, social formats (Canva-ready), animations and short video intros, programme booklet, presentation templates, signage and more. You’ll work closely with the communication teams of ArtEZ and ELIA. ELIA is the formal commissioning partner, and the working language of the project is English.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for a designer or collective who:

is an ArtEZ alumnus (or in the case of a collective, partly made up of ArtEZ alumni);
has experience with conceptual design and working with international clients;
is used to working across different media and formats;
is open to feedback and able to work in an iterative process;
can clearly present their ideas and collaborate in a wider project team;
aligns with ELIA’s sustainability policy: making conscious choices, avoiding unnecessary materials;
is confident communicating with an international client — fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Budget and compensation

Shortlisted teams will receive €1,500 for pitch preparation. The full design commission has a project budget of €10,000 (excluding material costs).

Key date

Deadline for submission: 18 August 2025
Shortlist announcement: 25 August 2025
Pitch presentations: week of 15 September
Final selection: no later than 22 September 2025

How to apply?

Send your proposal as one PDF file by 18 August 2025 to: eliaconference@artez.nl. Your submission should include:

Motivation: Why do you want to take on this project?
Approach: How will you tackle it? How will you work efficiently and cost-consciously?
Portfolio: 3 to 4 relevant projects
Team: Who are you? Short bios and CVs
Availability: For the full period from September 2025 – November 2026, with particular focus on key moments in October 2025, March/April 2026, and September–November 2026
Contact information: Including link to your website or socials