Stroomversneller

The Stroomversneller is an Arnhem arts and culture subsidy scheme that supports new initiatives in their artistic development by giving them room for experimentation. With the Stroomversneller , Cultuur Academy wants to give emerging talent a boost, without unnecessary restrictions and obligations. The scheme offers a fast and flexible form of support to promote artistic growth and experimentation. Please note: applications for period 3 are no longer possible!

Application rounds and budget

Applications are processed in order of receipt, spread over three times during the year. Once we reach the budget for that period, the application form will close. In that case, you can reapply from the beginning of the next period.

Period 1 | 2026
submit from 05-01-2026
Period 2 | 2026
submit from 18-05-2026
Period 3 | 2026
submit from 21-09-2026

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

Anna Schoen

Advisor theater

Sidney Shane Monkau

Consultant music

Carmen van Deuren

Consultant literature

Marijn de Valk

Consultant music

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.

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.
• By doing a pitch with the fund coordinator and one of our advisors (question-answer interview) in which you answer the questions in the form and explain 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 wish to make a pitch, please describe in +/- 100 words why the project fits the Stroomversneller and attach it. In the application form, you may refer to "pitch" in the response fields. We will then contact you to schedule a pitch.
• 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 4 weeks. Your application will be reviewed by our advisors based on the criteria and look at the totality of the project and whether it aligns with the core values of the Stroomversneller. Multi-disciplinary projects involve multiple advisors. Should we have additional questions, you will have the opportunity to answer them. We will let you know by email, including a timeframe in which we would like to receive the additional information requested

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.
• You will receive a logo package from us and we ask you to include our name/logo on all communications (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.

Have questions about the Stroomversneller or doubts about an application? Feel free to contact Maike at stroomversneller You can also ask your questions by phone. The telephone consultation hour is every Tuesday between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at 06 36277689.

Experiences

Stroomversneller highlighted: Naomi Sonneveld, founder of TRIBE Hiphop Choir

Naomi Sonneveld received a contribution from Stroomversneller in 2022 for her project TRIBE, Holland's first hip-hop choir: a collective that brings together different styles of hip-hop music. We talked to her about her work and what the support from Stroomversneller has meant for TRIBE.

Stroomversneller highlighted: multimedia artist Daphne van de Velde

Arnhem-based Daphne van de Velde combines her background in contemporary dance with her passion for photography. As a multimedia artist, she explores the boundaries of photography, performance and sculpture, focusing on movement and the body. We talked to her about her work, how she is doing now and what the support of Stroomversneller has meant to her.