
Date
15-17 April 2026
Location(s)
Time
10:00 - 18:00
Fest and conference dedicated to design and craftsmanship in film, animation and games.
In 2026 The Art Department will return to the iconic Klokgebouw 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.
This year we are celebrating Playgrounds’ 20 year anniversary, so we are going bigger with three days of festival magic:
📅 15 April: In-Depth Day | 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
RAMAN DJAFARI
illustrator, animator, filmmaker
artist talk
ALEX GRIGG
animation director and educator
artist talk

CAT JOHNSTON
director, character designer, model maker and illustrator
artist talk

OPEN CALL: APPLY FOR A SPOT IN THE ART MARKET!
have your works seen by thousands of visitors
art market

OPEN CALL: JOIN OUR TAD STAGE
be a speaker on one of our stages
community

PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
brush up your portfolios!
portfolio reviews

ARTIST STUDIOS
check your favorite artists at work
artist studios

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












