From May 2026 till March 2027 we will start the third edition of our Next XR Talent Program, a catalyst for XR dreams. We’re on the lookout for both Netherlands based young immersive trailblazers and XR visionaries from all corners of the country. From Zeeland to Overijssel, we’re creating a space for makers that are looking for a development program to foster their XR and immersive practice.
All art disciplines arewelcome: Are you working creatively or artistically with virtual-, augmented or extended reality, (interactive) narrative formats or immersive journeys, perhaps you build experiences mediated through (interactive) sound, or perhaps you have a practice with a strong performative element mixed with creative technology? We are eager to receive a proposal from you! The XR and Immersive arts welcome many different ways of using xr- and immersive tools. Sometimes as a full medium, sometimes as a tool in an immersive concept.
Our previous talents were a 3D artist and art director, game designer, an animator/editor, a scenographer and creative coder, circus artist, an actress/filmmaker, industrial and speculative designer, AV artist, media artist, interdisciplinary designer and performer, photographer.
Are you the next XR talent to join?
The Next XR Talent Program is part of the talent program Playgrounds has been running since 2016. The Next XR Talent Program is the longest running talent program for IX in The Netherlands with a strong network of partners.
In collaboration with immersive director Nienke Huitenga Broeren, our aim is to motivate creators who are seeking to broaden or deepen their expertise in interactive, immersive, and XR-driven experiences. We are dedicated to supporting those who wish to expand their creative horizons, as well as those eager to further specialize and refine their practice within these blossoming fields.
💡 Our focus for the program extends beyond the technical aspects; we want to delve deep into your practice as a creator, your needs, and the role of immersive storytelling in it first and foremost. The program will invite you to actively explore your current approach, positioning as a maker and connections to the network and reflect and discuss new paths and ideas with the selected group of creators. However, we believe in learning by doing, and research by making. Therefore, we are looking for creatives who want to join the program and bring an early-stage project that would benefit the time and space to think, test and tinker. Your talent development is the main objective; the project serves as both a vehicle and a foundation for achieving this growth.
We ask all participants to present their findings of this process (about themselves and the project) in March 2027 to the network of Playgrounds and professionals of the Immersive Art field during a public presentation.
The Next XR Talent Program runs for 10 months, from May 2026 till early March 2027 (with a summer and winter break). The journey is guided with full and half day workshops by guest experts and work sessions with Nienke Huitenga Broeren. In addition, we match you with an external personal expert mentor. The group of talents selected are welcomed into an environment for experimentation and exploration, where you also support and inspire each other. We will also actively help you connect to the Dutch Immersive and XR network, so that you are ready to take next steps with confidence after the talent program. The program is part-time and is doable next to other projects and work. However, we do ask you to commit fully to workshop dates and work sessions as listed below – at the moment of application.
Possible outcomes could be that you have time to work and think to fully scope out an artistic immersive vision, and write a first plan for a (future) project that you could use to apply for your first grant request to fund your project. Or you want to work on an experience concept of a new XR or immersive project, and are able to document a first test. Or perhaps you want to better understand your position in the field of XR, and develop a more firm timeline for your future project and your positioning as an immersive artist? It is up to you! Convince us why this trajectory is needed at this moment in your career?
We believe in learning by doing. Therefore we encourage applying with an early stage project in mind, but your are free to decide what the (learning)outcome will be.
❗️Deadline to apply: 21 April 2026, 23:59
Questions? You can always reach out to the Next XR program lead Nienke Huitenga via nienke@weareplaygrounds.nl
For all makers
The Next XR Talent program will select 6 participants. Whether you’re mid-career, an emerging star, or an established virtuoso seeking a new artistic horizon, this is your stage. – Please do be aware you will enter a group with mixed work experience and different levels of understanding xr and immersive media.
Criteria
– The minimum amount of work experience in the field as a creative should be 2 years.
– We are open to receive proposals that are about exploring XR as a new addition to your practice. In other words, it can be your first rodeo in XR and immersive art.
– We are also here for makers who apply to deepen or refine their immersive and XR craft or early stage idea for a new work.
The program is initiated by Playgrounds, based in Eindhoven Noord-Brabant, one of three film talent hubs in The Netherlands. Therefore, we welcome all applications, but make our final selection based on geographical distribution. We want to especially stimulate talent and experienced makers who live and have strong connections to the provinces of Noord-Brabant, Limburg, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, Groningen, and Zeeland to apply.
📋 Requirements for selection and participation
– The project or idea you are connecting to your talent development at Next XR has not yet been funded. If your project has been send in for a grant request and a decision on it is pending, please mention this in your development plan.
– You participate with all planned sessions, and engage with the group in a constructive, positive and inspiring way. You need to be mostly available on Thursdays. The following dates are key to be available at during the program and necessary to block in your calendar:
- 21 May 2026
- 4, 23, 25, 26 June
- 7, 23 July
- 27 August
- 17 September
- 15 October
- 12 November
- 3 December
- 14, 15, 17 December
- 11,12, 28 January 2027
- 11, 25 February
- 4, 11, 25 March
– You are based in the Netherlands. You are either a Dutch citizen, or you can show your practice as a creative is connected to the Netherlands long term.
– You can show in your CV or track record that you have graduated and have been developing your practice for a minimum of 2 years.
– You are able to travel for work sessions to Playgrounds headquarters (Klokgebouw 126, 5617 AB Eindhoven).
– You speak, write and understand English. We expect to have a mixed language group composition.
– Selected talents pay an entry fee of €2.000 to take part in the Next XR Talent program. This fee serves as guarantee of attendance, encourages ownership, and will be fully reimbursed within the participants production budget.
🗓️ Timeline
* 21 April, 23:59 – application deadline
* 4 May – short list interviews: online videocalls with candidates
* Week 20 – selection announced to selected candidates
* 21 May – first meeting NEXT XR
How do we meet during the program
Throughout the program Immersive artist/producer and program lead Nienke Huitenga will guide you. We will be doing field trips, online work sessions and workshops on location. Part of the work sessions and workshops will be in Eindhoven, near or at the Playgrounds office. Where necessary, we will also alternately work with online work sessions. For the work sessions in Eindhoven we have a (limited) budget for travel costs.
Resources: development budget
Selected talents will be granted a development budget of €12.000 (ex VAT), a small fee for their time investment and a separate budget for coaching. All budgets will be managed by the coordinator of Playgrounds Next and will be granted to the selected talents after a clear plan has been established.
The Network
During the program we want to help you forge connections in the international network of Playgrounds, and introduce you to some of our ace partners. It’s not just about ideas; it’s about making them happen, supported by a community that believes in the power of imagination. Are you ready to redefine your artistic journey? Seize the opportunity, break barriers, and be part of our Next XR Talent Program 2026-2027.
YOU CAN APPLY HERE
To prepare your application, please note all documents / videos should be in English.
- Resume with contact details (incl. website and socials)
- A portfolio and/or link to a showreel. Please show us your work, not all participants in the selection commission know your work!
- One page project pitch (mostly visual)
Motivation letter (max 2 pages) or motivation video (max 4 minutes):
- Why do you want to participate in the Next XR Talent Program?
Introduce yourself and explain your current position as a maker and what you are looking for your development. Give us an idea what you need or what you would help you to continue your growth as an artist/maker.Convince us why this trajectory is needed at this moment in your career. - What project do you want to connect to your talent development. Tell us about your early-stage idea for the immersive or xr piece you are dreaming of. And why you want to work on this during NEXT XR? We understand a project might not have solid ground yet, but take us along in what you would like to try, R&D or what is the vision you can’t wait to work on.
- Which immersive or XR driven by other creators have inspired you?
And why? Name three. - What excites you about the prospects of this talent program? And how would you like to contribute to and connect with your 6 fellow participants?
Development plan (max 2 pages) or video about your development plan (max 4 minutes):
- In what way would you like to develop yourself and your project during Next XR? Are you interested in doing many experiments? Or do you want to find focus and deepening a concept? What process are you dreaming of? Paint us a picture on how you want to approach it from May 2026 till March 2027. Consider this a first draft of a possible approach of your participation during NEXT XR.
- Elaborate on the skills you need to tackle to achieve the creative growth you are dreaming of: business wise, artistic skills, expanding your network in a new field, communication with a team or crew? Anything goes. How do you expect NEXT XR and Playgrounds to play a role in that?