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These are the winners of Kunstbende 2026
For many years, Kunstbende has been much more than a competition for ArtEZ. It’s an important stepping stone for young creative talent. At the Kunstbende Young Creators Festival, held on Saturday 27 June at Melkweg and Jimmy Woo in Amsterdam, ninety acts competed across the categories of Dance, DJ, Expo, Fashion, Film, Music, Language and Theatre for the title, as well as a range of exciting prizes.
All the winners of the Kunstbende Young Creators Festival 2026
-Photo: Marcel Krijgsman
ArtEZ has been a partner of Kunstbende since 2005. Together, we provide young creators aged 13 to 19 with a platform to showcase their talent and continue developing their creative practice.
Kunstbende on the final: 'From backstage chaos to packed venues, from nerves to pure joy. A day full of creators showing what happens when you simply start making.'
Photos by Kunstbende participants, taken during the finalists' day at ArtEZ in Arnhem in May
'Kunstbende gives you the freedom to be yourself and to grow. Unfortunately, once you turn 20, you can no longer take part. They really should create a Kunstbende 2.0 for everyone who's older.'
Prizes to be won
From tickets to Pinkpop to a performance at Eurosonic Noorderslag. From exhibiting at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam during Museum Night to performing at Oerol: alongside the honour of winning, finalists also had the chance to take home some fantastic prizes.
All twenty-four winners across the categories
Lion (19, Zeeland) @lion.moves
Yasmine (19, South Holland) @yasmine.de.witt
Coumbassa (18, Overijssel) @karimkadercoumbassa
Koen Kaptein (18, North Holland) @koen_kaptein
DJ Djary (14, Groningen) @dj.djary
Mysterycube (19, North Brabant) @djmysterycube
Finn (18, South Holland) @finnley.rv
Aurinko (17, Gelderland) @by.aurinko
Torm (17, Groningen) @d.tdoll
Yani Jongen (19, North Brabant) @yanijongen
vlinderzomers (19, South Holland) @vlinder.zomers
Cecilia (16, Overijssel) @ceciliavvh
Renske Kruizenga (18, Utrecht) @renkse.krzng
Ithaka Academy - Team Groningen (17, Groningen) @denoorderlingentheater @common_frames
Mara Blijleven (19, Flevoland) @marablijleven
LOTT (18, North Brabant) @lott_band
Meike Zandstra (17, Overijssel) @zandstrameike
ALKALINE (18, Utrecht, Amersfoort) @alkaline_nl
Sem van Galen (17, Flevoland) @intoonatie
Finn Roele (17, Gelderland) @finnroele
Miame (19, Friesland) @miame.ongefilterd
Steve, Teije en Xem (17, North Holland) @steveofzo, @teijebrgstr.m, @xem_brs
MIRTHE (16, Limburg) @mirthe._rs
Sem de Vries (17, Drenthe) @semdevriescomedy
Taking part next year?
Kunstbende is always on the lookout for new talent. Keep an eye on their website for next year's competition.
