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
MASTERCLASS IN COLOR DESIGN BY NATHAN FOWKES
In-Depth Day | 15 April
masterclass
MASTERCLASS USING COLOR IN CHARACTER DESIGN
In-Depth Day | 15 April
masterclass
MASTERCLASS CREATING, ADAPTING AND DEVELOPING SERIS WITH ADAM PALOIAN
In-Depth Day | 15 April
masterclass
PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026
where we put the art of filmmaking in the spotlight
film fest
NATHAN FOWKES
concept artist
artist talk
BLUR
production company
artist talk
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
head of character animation Joshua Beveridge & visual development artist Wendell Dalit
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
LOEK VUGS
designer, animator, teacher
artist talk
ADAM PALOIAN
director, producer, character designer
artist talk
BORIS & NICOLAS
animators
artist talk
HEND & LAMIAA
directors duo
artist talk
DIEPFRIS
concept artist
artist talk
REAL TALKS WITH IRIS COMPIET & LOISH
a sit-down with two industry legends
real talk
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
ART MARKET
print, apparal & tattoos
INDUSTRY GARDEN
meet industry professionals to let your projects grow
industry garden
NEXT STAGE
stage curated by the Next Talent Program
artist talk
SKETCH & CAKE TAD EDITION
sketch, connect, cake
artist studios
CAT JOHNSTON
model making
artist talk
BOOKSHOP
discover art books, comics and exclusive titles
books
PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026
where we put the art of filmmaking in the spotlight
film fest
FIRST GLIMPSES OF PLAYGROUNDS 20 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
2026 will be extra special for us!
WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE ART DEPARTMENT 2026?
don't be shy, reach out to us!
WHAT IS A NEXT GEN TICKET?
if you are aged 25 or under you can enjoy TAD 2026 with a discount!
OPEN CALL: APPLY FOR A SPOT IN THE ART MARKET! (CLOSED)
let the TAD 2026 visitors enjoy your artworks!
OPEN CALL: JOIN OUR TAD STAGE (CLOSED)
be one of the speakers of TAD 2026!
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
