Open Call – Stadstekenaar Utrecht City Illustrator

In many cities in the Netherlands a city-illustrator is depicting the city and its inhabitants for the duration of one year in drawings: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Nijmegen. Although Utrecht is a city that breathes illustration – who doesn’t know Dick Bruna, the creator of Miffy (Nijntje)? – there isn’t one until now. So it’s about time that Utrecht will have its own city-illustrator and this could be you!

Will you be Utrecht’s first City Illustrator?

Starting in October 2026, Utrecht will have its first official City Illustrator. Through this initiative by Het Huis van Betekenis, an illustrator or artist from Utrecht will be appointed each year to observe, explore, and depict the city through the lens of a current social theme that aligns with Utrecht’s core values and aspirations. Through drawings and illustrations, the artist will show what’s happening in the city and which stories deserve attention.

The City Artist will capture life in the city: the encounters, changes, contrasts, and stories that make Utrecht what it is.
The central question for the first edition is:
“Who is seen when you draw Utrecht?”
The City Artist will create new work around this theme and will also display existing work in an ongoing exhibition at De Utrechter on Vredenburg.
Who will bring Utrecht’s stories to life?
Are you a professional illustrator or artist living in Utrecht? And do you want to use your artistic voice to bring Utrecht’s stories to life? Then you can apply for the open call. An independent committee of creators, educators, and experts from the field of illustration will select Utrecht’s first City Artist.
The appointment and festive opening will take place on October 26, 2026, at De Utrechter.

What’s in it for you?
✓ Appointment as Utrecht City Artist 2026–2027
✓ A year-long exhibition at De Utrechter
✓ Professional coaching and guidance
✓ Publication of your work ✓ Compensation of €4,000

What do we require?
✓ Portfolio of recent work
✓ Resume
✓ Cover letter
✓ Availability from October 2026 through September 2027

Important Dates
Deadline: September 7, 2026
Announcement: late September 2026
City Illustrator installation: October 2026

Apply
Send your portfolio, resume, and motivation to: stadstekenaar@deutrechter.nl

Opportunities for new talent
In addition to the City Illustrator, a junior illustrator will also be selected. This young artist will have the opportunity to shadow the City Illustrator, gain experience, and further develop their artistic skills under the guidance of professionals from Utrecht’s illustration community.

About Het Huis van Betekenis
Het Huis van Betekenis is a Utrecht-based artistic community of illustrators and designers working on social and cultural projects. Through the City Illustrator initiative, Het Huis van Betekenis aims to harness the power of illustration to bring stories to life, foster connections, and help people see the city through new eyes.
This project is made possible by the City of Utrecht, the K.F. Hein Fund, the Boellaard Fund, and De Utrechter.