Title: Open Workshop (OW) is a department within The Animation Workshop that provides the environment, facilities, materials/equipment and some of the financial means necessary to develop and produce animation and animation-related projects. OW can host up to 35 artists at one time and annually supports over 100 residents and projects, ranging from portfolios created by young aspiring animation talents to professional animation film productions.”

Language: English

Duration: This depends on the project and on the space/rooms available in OW. Usually between 1 to 6 months, but we can be flexible

Application deadline: 5th of November 2021, at 12:00 noon (CET)

Fee: Open Workshop is an artist residency, which means that there is no fee 

More information:

• Read our FAQ (PDF)
• Target Group & Project Types (PDF)
• Application procedure (PDF)
• Project support (PDF)
• Evaluation procedure (PDF)

OW functions as an artist residency where both new and more confirmed talents, budding artists and young professionals can live for a time to work on their personal projects, both on their own and together, while also having access to the most skilled international consultants within the animation industry. Open Workshop supports both internal and external projects.

Read more about project support (PDF)

Through workshops, masterclasses, artistic and practical guidance, pitch and presentation training, along with the daily work on their projects, the artists strengthen their artisanship as well as their understanding of the business aspects connected to the development and production of animation-related projects. Open Workshop discovers original and skilled talents and guides them along their chosen career paths. Matchmaking and networking activities are designed to bring companies and artists closer together.

What you get:

When an artist/project has been accepted to Open Workshop, along with an approved budget and production schedule, we provide:

• Studio space in a common workspace (the common space is approximately 500 square meters) plus access to a full music studio
• All necessary materials and equipment within a wide range of possibilities (from any digital production set-up to experimental stop-motion)
• Production supervision and planning (also line production when necessary)
• Professional consulting on the project in any necessary form
• Individual project meetings with the Open Workshop staff
• Group project meetings where new and current resident artists gather to give progress updates and gather feedback on their projects or pitch new projects
• A vast network of national and international guest professionals, which constantly flows and pulses through the school

Projects

You can apply to Open Workshop 4 times a year; usually the first Friday of February, May, August and November. Due to the current situation and the consequent delay of already approved Open Workshop residencies, the August round of applications is cancelled. Next application deadline will be on 5th of November 2021, at 12:00 noon (CET)

To apply for a spot/or support at Open Workshop please use the online application form.

You are asked to provide a CV and general information about your project. You can also add other documents such as script, storyboard, budget, schedule, artwork etc. This will help give us a clear understanding of what your project is and enable us to make a thorough evaluation.

Before applying, please make sure to read the following:

• Target Group & Project Types (PDF)
• Application Procedure & Deadlines (PDF)
• Evaluation Procedure & Criteria (PDF) 

 

Portfolio

Do you want to develop a portfolio in Open Workshop? 

The next deadline for applying to Open Workshop is 6th of August 2021, at 12:00 noon (CET). You can apply if you are:

• a Danish citizen and/or
• if you are working on a portfolio to apply for a Danish Training Institution within the fields of animation, computer graphic arts, graphic storytelling and other visual arts.

Apply here.

Please note that accepted portfolio artists in Open Workshop will normally be granted a stay from September 1 to March 15.

Quick Support

Only available for current Open Workshop artists. No deadline. Apply here.

Open Workshop does not have in-house instructors. The Open Workshop residents have access to consulting with a wide range of professionals. 

International artist wishing to apply for an Open Workshop residency must be a junior animation professional from whom younger Danish talents can learn and with whom they may collaborate during their stay at Open Workshop, or in future collaborations and co-productions.

Moving to Denmark

Open Workshop will be happy to provide you with letters confirming your residency period and status as an artist in residence at The Animation Workshop/VIA University College. You are responsible for acquainting yourself with the rules that apply in relation to your stay in Denmark.

More information:

• Study in Denmark
• Work in Denmark

If you’re approved for housing, your room and utilities will also be free during your stay.

However, Open Workshop does NOT provide living money or any type of personal cash for its resident artists. We do however provide them with opportunities for paid work around the school and the region, such as teaching, project supervision, various animation jobs, consulting etc.

Directors or producers of Danish projects, or projects that are anchored in Denmark through a Danish production company, may also apply for a project grant of up to 20.000 DKK.

When applying for a spot at Open Workshop you can also apply for Open Workshop housing. The housing is located in one of the former barracks and is less than 100 meters from The Animation Workshop/VIA University College. Here you will have your own private room and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities with other Open Workshop residents.

If you are applying to Open Workshop to work on your portfolio housing is unfortunately not available.