News

During a celebratory ceremony in Amsterdam, the jury, comprising Fiep van Bodegom, Maxim Februari, Lars Meijer, Bibi Dumon Tak, and Wytske Versteeg (jury chair), unanimously selected a winner from the five nominated titles on the shortlist. Jolanda Kooijmans’ poetry collection Addertje has won the Amarte Literature Prize 2026.The jury on Addertje: "We chose an author who, from the darkness, constructed a universe entirely her own, someone who wove together diverse registers and, in doing so, found a new language for one of the oldest figures in world literature. This literary work is a playful adventure brimming with imagination."You can read the full jury report here (in Dutch).With the Amarte Literature Prize 2026, Jolanda Kooijmans receives €15,000, intended to support her further literary development. The shortlist also included: Kijk es naar al dat licht by Alara Adilow, Korstmos by Rinske Bouwman, Ons gaan allemaal by Benzokarim, and Rouwdouwers by Falun Ellie Koos. Earlier this year, fifteen titles were nominated for the longlist. Books eligible for the Amarte Literature Prize are those realized with support from the Amarte Foundation.As a tangible recognition of her achievement, Jolanda Kooijmans also receives a unique trophy, specially designed for this edition of the Amarte Literature Prize by visual artist Mickey Yang. The trophy was presented by Julien Ignacio, who won the first edition of the prize in 2024 for his novel Goudjakhals.Additionally, editor and writer Steffie Van Neste wrote a special essayistic reflection on the winning book, Addertje, for the prize. Steffie Van Neste was selected for this commission in collaboration with de lage landen, the prestigious cultural magazine that provides context and interpretation for literature, art, language, and history from Flanders and the Netherlands. Steffie is part of a new generation of promising literature critics who participated in the writing residency at deBuren, the leading Flemish-Dutch house for culture and debate. During the writing process, Steffie received feedback from the editorial team of de lage landen, where the essay has been published online and will also appear in print.You can read the essay here.Photo by Joke Schot.

On May 12th, the Amarte Fonds will open its doors from 7:00 PM for the third edition of Amarte Wonderland at Club RAUM, Amsterdam. The evening will showcase a selection of the remarkable projects that have been supported by the fund in recent years.We are proud to present the work of the following makers at Amarte Wonderland:Roger Anis, Gökay Atabek, Alix Bortoli, Kirsty Baker, Lester David, Tindra Eliason, Thana Faroq, Louka Hoogendijk, Illnoledge, Pedro Kastelijns & QBAE, Saghar Khadem, Jojo Knowles, Rebecca Lillich Krüger, Bent Lochtenberg, Diane Mahin, Ahmad Mallah, Heleen Mineur, Ghazale Moqanaki, Chris Nelck, Levi Overvest, Rita Osipova, Eva van Ooijen, Amos Peled, Dal Park, Minem Sezgin de Boer, Igor Schiller, Marilyn Sonneveld, Maurik Stomps, Werner van der Zwan, Jakob van Klinken, Tessel de Zwart.Click here to view the full program of Amarte Wonderland and to read more about the participating makers.Maker Meet-Up #2On May 13 and 14, the Amarte Wonderland exhibition will remain open to visitors, and Amarte will also host a two-day Maker Meet-Up event! Both the exhibition and the Maker Meet-Up will take place in the Studio of Club RAUM.Wednesday, May 133:00 PM: Q&A with artist and designer Maurik Stomps, moderated by Amarte Wonderland curator Claudia Kaltenbrunner.4:00 PM: Guided tour with Claudia through the Amarte Wonderland exhibition.Thursday, May 143:00 PM: Conversation between filmmaker Minem Sezgin de Boer and documentary producer Sam Godfried.4:00 PM: Q&A with Amarte team member Eva Scheltema. During this session, you can ask all your questions about project funding, fund guidelines, and the application process.Admission is free, and no registration is required. We look forward to seeing you there!

The shortlist for the Amarte Literature Prize 2026 has been announced! From the fifteen nominated titles on the longlist, the jury, comprising Fiep van Bodegom, Maxim Februari, Lars Meijer, Bibi Dumon Tak, and Wytske Versteeg (chair), has selected five titles eligible for the prize. The shortlist reflects books that are distinctive, inspiring, and push conventional boundaries, criteria central to the Amarte Literature Prize.The following titles have been nominated for the shortlist, listed alphabetically by title:Addertje – Jolanda Kooijmans (poetry)Kijk es naar al dat licht – Alara Adilow (novel)Korstmos – Rinske Bouwman (novel)Ons gaan allemaal – Benzokarim (poetry)Rouwdouwers – Falun Ellie Koos (novel)About the Amarte Literature PrizeThe Amarte Literature Prize is awarded to a writer who, with support from the Amarte Fund, has completed a literary project. The prize includes a cash award of €15,000, a literary essay on the winning book and a trophy, designed this year by visual artist Mickey Yang. The inaugural edition of the prize was awarded in 2024 to Julien Ignacio for his book Goudjakhals.For the literary essay, Amarte, in collaboration with de lage landen, the leading cultural magazine that provides context and interpretation for literature, art, language, and history from Flanders and the Netherlands, will engage an emerging talent. This writer will be selected from the promising young literary critics who have previously participated in the writing residency at deBuren, the influential Flemish-Dutch house for culture and debate, which is dedicated to nurturing Dutch and Flemish writing talent. The author will receive feedback from De Lage Landen during the writing process, and the essay will be published there, first online and later in print.The winner of the Amarte Literature Prize 2026 will be announced during a private, celebratory ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, preceding Amarte Wonderland.

The Amarte Foundation warmly invites you to Amarte Wonderland, an evening celebrating the arts! Since 2019, over 2,500 artists have developed their craft with the support of Amarte. These makers have enriched the cultural landscape with remarkable projects that inspire and bring audiences together. A selection of these projects will be showcased during the third edition of Amarte Wonderland on May 12.Experience firsthand the diverse artistic disciplines and visions supported by the Amarte Fund over the years, from visual arts, theater, and performance to music, literature, and interdisciplinary projects.Club RAUM in Amsterdam will host this evening, where makers, partners, and enthusiasts come together. You are welcome from 7:00 PM.Admission is free, but registration is required via this link.We look forward to seeing you there!Date: 12 MayDoors open: from 19.00 (start programme: 19.30)Location: Club RAUM (Humberweg 3, Amsterdam)

With the PUSH scheme, the Amarte Fonds introduces a new initiative designed to give a group of makers an opportunity to advance their practice. Artists who have previously received support from the fund are invited by a selection committee to take their work to the next level.A grant of up to €20,000 can be used in a variety of ways, whether to realize an artistic project, conduct research, forge new collaborations, develop professional skills, or enhance international visibility. The PUSH scheme empowers makers to define their own path toward growth.This initiative is not open for applications; participation is by invitation only and depends on the available annual budget. The committee selects makers not only based on quality but mostly on the potential of the maker at this moment in their career.Curious to know who has already been given this opportunity? We will announce the first recipients shortly!