Date
15-17 April 2026
Location(s)
Time
10:00 - 18:00
Tickets
All Tickets
Click here
Referral Program
More info
FAQ
Fest and conference dedicated to design and craftsmanship in film, animation and games.
In 2026, The Art Department returns to the iconic Klokgebouw, celebrating 20 years of Playgrounds with a packed program full of artist talks, workshops, demos, screenings, live sketching sessions, portfolio reviews, recruitment and so much more! A true playground for the creative industry.
To mark this milestone, we are going bigger than ever with three days of festival magic:
📅 15 April: In-Depth Day (more info here) | A full day of extensive talks and masterclasses | Tickets Available
📅 16 + 17 April: The Art Department | Main Event | Tickets Available
NATHAN FOWKES
concept artist
artist talk
BLUR
production company
artist talk
PERNILLE ØRUM
character designer, visual development artist
artist talk
ALEX GRIGG
animation director and educator
artist talk
RAMAN DJAFARI
illustrator, animator, filmmaker
artist talk
OLOV BURMAN
director and animator
artist talk
CAT JOHNSTON
director, character designer, model maker and illustrator
artist talk
ADAM PALOIAN
director, producer, character designer
artist talk
BORIS & NICOLAS
animators
artist talk
OPEN CALL: JOIN OUR TAD STAGE
be a speaker on one of our stages
community
OPEN CALL: APPLY FOR A SPOT IN THE ART MARKET!
have your works seen by thousands of visitors
art market
ARTIST STUDIOS
check your favorite artists at work
artist studios
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
brush up your portfolios!
portfolio reviews
MEET THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
take a look around!
hotspot
FIRST GLIMPSES OF PLAYGROUNDS 20 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
2026 will be extra special for us!
OPEN CALL: APPLY FOR A SPOT IN THE ART MARKET!
let the TAD 2026 visitors enjoy your artworks!
WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE ART DEPARTMENT 2026?
don't be shy, reach out to us!
OPEN CALL: JOIN OUR TAD STAGE
be one of the speakers of TAD 2026!
WHAT IS A NEXT GEN TICKET?
if you are aged 25 or under you can enjoy TAD 2026 with a discount!
20 March 2025
- 21 March 2025
THE ART DEPARTMENT EINDHOVEN 2025 (SOLD OUT)
18 April 2024
- 19 April 2024
The Art Department Eindhoven 2024
20 April 2023
- 21 April 2023
The Art Department Eindhoven 2023
21 April 2022
- 22 April 2022
The Art Department Eindhoven 2022
biggest creative meetup for concept artists and designers in film, animation and games in Europe
