OPEN CALL GRAFFITI UTOPIA

Beeldjutters invites illustrators, sketch artists, graffiti artists, tattoo artists, and other digital creators to participate in our open call Graffiti Utopia.

Graffiti Utopia is based on nine recorded interviews with people whose perspectives are often drowned out by louder majorities. Their stories and their dreams for our futures needs to be transformed into digital drawings.

To create these digital drawings of our future, Beeldjutters is looking for nine artists. Graffiti culture is built on the collision and coexistence of many artistic voices — one wall, many styles, layered visions. Graffiti Utopia follows this same spirit: nine stories, nine artistic interpretations, forming one shared future.

The digital drawings will be animated by our team and presented at the light art festival I Light U in Utrecht, The Netherlands, from January 9 until February 1, and may also be included in other light or street art festivals afterwards.

Who can participate

Anyone who feels connected to the theme Dreaming the Future is welcome. We are looking for a wide diversity of styles, backgrounds, and perspectives. Age 18+ (trigger warning: some people who shared their stories and dreams come from a background of abuse. If you don’t feel comfortable to work with these stories, you can let us know in the briefing process and we will match you to another theme).

You do not need to submit a sketch at this stage. We intentionally do not share visual examples or references, because we want to avoid influencing your creative direction. Your own style, voice, and interpretation are central to this project.

While every artist brings their own visual approach, we are looking for artists whose work has a raw, alternative edge connected to contemporary graffiti culture — expressive, layered, bold, and slightly rough. This tone supports the atmosphere of Graffiti Utopia and the urban setting of I Light U.

How to submit

Fill in this form.
If you don’t have a Google account or don’t want to use it, you can send us an email at utopia@beeldjutters.nl

Timeline

Open call deadline: Sunday 14 December, 23:59
Selection announcement: Tuesday, December 16
Briefing / introduction call: Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 or Tuesday 23 December

Illustration requirements

The illustration must be created using a digital drawing tool. Beeldjutters will guide you through the process of using this tool. The final illustration must be delivered in multiple layers (background, characters, objects separated). Format specifications will be shared after selection.

Selection process

Curation will be done based on artistic style and the diversity of voices and perspectives. Only selected artists will receive an email. If you do not receive an email, you have not been selected.

Selected artists will be invited to a personal conversation, where we will discuss the story assigned to you, highlight the elements we want to bring forward, align on artistic direction and animation workflow, and discuss the detailed technical setup.

The selection committee includes Julian and Vincent from Beeldjutters and Olga (interviewer).

Use of the illustration

By participating, you agree that Beeldjutters will animate your illustration and — if necessary — make some adjustments to ensure the artwork fits the overall installation and maintains a cohesive visual atmosphere across all nine stories. All adjustments will respect your artistic style and will be done in consultation with the illustrator.

By participating, you grant Beeldjutters permission to present it at I Light U festival 2026, and include it in future art festivals. Your name or artist name will always be credited.

Your illustrations will not be used outside the context of Graffiti Utopia by both Beeldjutters and illustrators.

Compensation

Each selected artist receives a maximum of €200 to cover costs, and an invitation to the official opening of I Light U festival in January.

About I Light U festival

The animated illustrations will be displayed as part of the Graffiti Utopia light artwork during the I Light U festival in Utrecht. The works will appear within an outdoor installation environment along the festival route — illuminated, layered, and integrated within the urban atmosphere. I Light U will run from January 9 until February 1, 2026.

Community Conduct

Beeldjutters aims to create a respectful, inclusive, and safe creative environment. We reserve the right to exclude submissions or participants whose behaviour, conduct, or public statements promote racism, discrimination, hate, harassment, or any form of harmful or abusive expression. This also applies if an artwork itself includes discriminatory, violent, or harmful content that conflicts with the values of the project. Our intention is to ensure that Graffiti Utopia reflects a future built on respect, imagination, and diverse perspectives.

Questions?

Email us at utopia@beeldjutters.nl
You can download a pdf document of the Open Call here.