Urban Blue Student Challenge

Wanted: A new perspective on Delft Blue

Are you a student (or recently graduated) with a passion for art, design, or experimentation? Get inspired by Delft Blue and give this historical heritage a contemporary future!

The Royal Delft Museum invites you to participate in the student challenge as part of the new exhibition Urban Blue – from Bricks to Tiles, developed in collaboration with STRAAT Museum and on display at the Royal Delft Museum. In this exhibition, six international street artists have reimagined the craft of Delft Blue in their own artistic visual language. The result? A unique crossover between the centuries-old craft of Delft Blue and the expressive energy of street art.

The Assignment

Now, the Royal Delft Museum asks you the same question posed to the street artists:

What does the Delft Blue of the future look like?

Translate your answer into your own design or artwork, inspired by the history, craftsmanship, and centuries-old oeuvre of Delft Blue. Find inspiration in the exhibition Urban Blue – from Bricks to Tiles and in the way street artists merge past and future. The format is up to you: from graphic design to ceramics, from woodworking to textiles, audiovisual works, or AI art.The challenge is open to MBO, HBO, and university students, as well as recent graduates (maximum of 1 year), from all fields of study.

Submissions will be judged by a professional jury panel. Their judgement will be based on:

• Originality and creativity
• Quality of concept and execution
• A forward-thinking perspective on cultural heritage
• Craftsmanship and expressive power
• The ability to inspire reflection and dialogue about Delft Blue

What happens when your work is selected as winner? Then you will of course receive a lot of cool prices:

• Exhibition of the top 3 winning works at the Royal Delft Museum for two months during Urban Blue – from Bricks to Tiles
• Online visibility through the museum’s social media channels — a unique opportunity to gain professional exposure in the cultural field
• A cozy Sip & Paint workshop for you and your chosen group (max. 6 people) at the Royal Delft Museum
• Last but not least: an iPad and Apple Pencil — widely used tools among street artists and ideal for boosting your (digital) creativity

Save the date!

• Wednesday, April 1 (no joke): Registration opens via the website
• Sunday, April 26: Registration deadline
• Wednesday, May 22: Deadline for submitting your final work (physical or digital, depending on the nature of your piece)
• Thursday, June 11: Festive award ceremony at the Royal Delft Museum with participants and guests

To guarantee your submission will be accepted make sure it is not bigger than 120 x 120 x 120 cm, it must not require regular mainentance  and it must not contain explicit politcal statements. Do you think your design can contribute to the future of Delft Blue? Register before April 1 and submit your work by May 22 to the Royal Delft Museum or online via l.groen@royaldelft.nl  and who knows, your work might soon be displayed among the top pieces!