Stroomversneller

The Stroomversneller an Arnhem-based grant program for the arts and culture that supports new initiatives in their artistic development by giving them room to experiment. Through the Stroomversneller , Cultuur Academy Stroomversneller give Cultuur Academy talent a helping hand, without unnecessary restrictions or obligations. The program offers a fast and flexible form of support to promote artistic growth and experimentation.

Application rounds and budget

Applications are processed in the order they are received, spread out over three periods throughout the year. Once we have reached the budget for that period, the application form will close. In that case, you can submit a new application at the start of the next period. Please note: Period 2 | 2026 is closed due to the high volume of applications. Applications can be submitted again starting September 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Period 1 | 2026 (closed)
Submit starting January 5, 2026
Period 2 | 2026 (closed)
Submit starting May 18, 2026
Period 3 | 2026
Submit starting September 21, 2026

Want to learn more about Funds & Grants? Then visit the topic page on our knowledge base.

Application Preparation

Below you will find guidelines for completing your application by discipline. If it is a cross-over or multidisciplinary project, please check the different disciplines that apply. The Stroomversneller is not called this for nothing, it is about the acceleration that you as a maker are going through thanks to your project. So try to formulate a clear answer to this. Where do you start, and where do you want to be at the end of the project? Is this project a step toward an even greater ambition? What is your dream or dot on the horizon? Also try to clarify what you have learned at the end of the project. What new skills, knowledge and/or network have you gained? Your developments need not take place only on the artistic content level.

Important things to look out for in your application

• Your application should include a budget, and we encourage you to include a fee for yourself as well. Please do provide a clear breakdown of your hourly rate and, for example, what hours you expect to make in what phase of your project.
• Are you going to present/exhibit/release your work somewhere? Make sure that contact has already been made with the location so that the (im)possibilities are clear. A commitment from the location is of course a plus point! If your project is part of a larger project/program that already receives funding from the municipality of Arnhem, your project will not be eligible. Please check this when in doubt!
• If you need permission from third parties for your project (think permit from municipality, owner of location or land, etc.) make sure that here too you are already clear about what can and cannot be done.

Advisors

The Stroomversneller is run by Maike Pijnappel. She started as fund coordinator in March 2025 and has both the Stroomversneller and Groeispurt under her belt. Assessing applications is not something Maike does alone. For each discipline there is an advisor who looks at the artistic quality of your application and the development you have in mind as a creator. The advisors all have a considerable amount of knowledge and work experience and have an extensive cultural network in Arnhem and beyond. In multidisciplinary projects the application is assessed by multiple advisors.

Lenneke van der Goot

Fine arts consultant

Sidney Shane Monkau

Consultant music

Carmen van Deuren

Consultant literature

Marijn de Valk

Consultant music

Wensley Piqué

Advisor theater

Jonas de Witte

Advisor film

Rose Meerman

Consultant product design 

Mirte Engelhard

Consultant fashion 

Inbal Abir

Advisor dance

Application process Stroomversneller

1) Review the criteria

• Does your project meet the criteria? Then you can proceed to step 2.

2) Start your application

Please note that applications for period 3 are no longer possible!

• Check out the questions we ask using the sample form.
• Create a budget and coverage plan for your project. Don't know how? Check out our pages with examples: a simple budget, a comprehensive budget and a very comprehensive budget.
• Be clear about your target audience and promotion strategy. You can read more about how to determine your target audience and develop a promotional strategy in our Knowledge Base.
• Define what discipline your project falls into. Should it be a crossover or multidisciplinary project, look at the different disciplines that apply.
• Create a project schedule.
• Make sure your portfolio and/or resume is up to date.

💡Tip: Did you know that you can also include your own fee in your Stroomversneller? Fair Pay is an important part of the Fair Practice Code, so make sure you pay yourself fairly, too. Read more here about what constitutes appropriate compensation.

3) Choose your application method (you can apply in three ways)

• By filling out the application form as completely as possible.
• By creating a project plan in which you answer our questions from the application form.
• Through a conversation with the fund coordinator and one of our advisors (a question-and-answer session) in which you answer the questions on the form and provide details about your project.

Unsure of which way is right for you? Contact us and we'll think with you.

4) Make the application

• Complete the application form.
• If you have created a project plan, you can put a brief summary at the answer boxes and refer to your project plan.
• If you would like to submit your application through an interview, please describe in approximately 100 words why the project Stroomversneller for Stroomversneller and attach this description. In the application form, you may refer to “application interview” in the response fields. We will then contact you to schedule an interview.
• Upload the required documents
  • Budget
  • CV and/or portfolio
  • Bank statement (only name and account number visible)

5) Email confirmation

You will receive an email confirmation of your request within 1 hour. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us.

6) Review of your application

We aim to respond within 6 weeks. Your application will be reviewed by our advisors based on the criteria; they will assess the project as a whole and determine whether it aligns with Stroomversneller core values. For multidisciplinary projects, multiple advisors will be involved. If we have any additional questions, you’ll have the opportunity to answer them. We’ll notify you of this via email, including an estimated timeframe for when we’d like to receive the requested additional information.

7) Award or rejection

If you are awarded a grant, you will receive a letter explaining exactly what we expect from you. If you are rejected, we will try to explain the reasons as carefully as possible and help you think about where you could apply for support. You may also receive a conditional grant, for example if you still need to cover part of the budget with external funds/resources. In that case we will make arrangements about how and when this will be delivered.

8) What happens after award?

• You receive the money in your account and you can start implementing your project.
• We will send you a logo package, and we ask that you include our name and logo on all promotional materials (flyers, posters, etc.).
• We would like to receive an invitation to the public moment of your project (except education projects).
• Upon completion of your project, we ask you to fill out our evaluation form and upload an image of the project. We will then feature your project on our website and social media channels.
• Would you like to learn more about the VAT implications of the subsidy you receive? Read the article“Receiving a Subsidy and VAT” in our Knowledge Base here.

Do you have questions about the Stroomversneller are you unsure about applying? Feel free to contact Maike at stroomversneller. You can also ask your questions by phone. The phone consultation hours are every Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 06 36277689.

Please note: Period 2 | 2026 is closed due to the high volume of applications. Applications can be submitted again starting at 9:00 a.m. on September 21, 2026.