MAASTRCHT, THE NETHERLANDS.- The Jan van Eyck Academie is an institute for research and production in the fields of Fine Art, Design and Theory, based in Maastricht, in the south of the Netherlands. The academy invites artists, designers and theoreticians to submit research or production proposals. In order to realise these projects, the academy offers the necessary made-to-measure artistic, technical and auxiliary preconditions and develops contacts with external partners.

Research, production, presentation, discussion
The Jan van Eyck Academie offers space and time to let go of predetermined processes and to explore new inroads which may lead to unexpected results: unconventional productions, such as temporary projects in the public arena, fictional designs or speculative thought experiments. This experimental attitude towards research and production implies that the academy is not led by predetermined leitmotivs. The subject matters of the various research projects of its international artists, designers and theoreticians are heterogeneous (see examples below).

These miscellaneous projects form the basis for several events which are organized each week: presentations, discussions, lectures, seminars, screenings, exhibitions,• External interested parties are welcome to attend these activities. The result is a dynamic and critical exchange between the different agents from within and outside of the Jan van Eyck.

Facilities - Artists, designers and theoreticians who submitted a project proposal and were subsequently selected become researchers at the Jan van Eyck. In order to realise their projects researchers have their own studios, receive a grant and can make use of the facilities: the library, the documentation centre, various workshops (wood and other materials; graphic techniques; photography; digital text and image processing and editing; time-based media) and the production bureau (assistance with print work, editing and all other productions). They can also appeal to the institute for pr assistance relating to their projects or for the distribution of their productions.

The researchers can furthermore call upon the support of artistic advisors: the advising researchers. The following advising researchers are active in the Jan van Eyck Academie: Orla Barry, Norman Bryson, Sabeth Buchmann, Wim Cuyvers, Helmut Draxler, Stephan Geene, Marc De Kesel, Jouke Kleerebezem, Aglaia Konrad, Eva Meyer, John Murphy, Hinrich Sachs, Filiep Tacq, Dani•l van der Velden and Annelys de Vet.

Application - Artists, designers and theoreticians who wish to apply for a one or two year research period, starting in January 2006, can send in their research proposal before 15 April 2005. See for application details www.janvaneyck.nl.