Come face to face with the new gen of Dutch design

Dutch design has a reputation, its own dedicated week and annual awards, and—as proven by this initiative—a future! From the 19th until the 27th of October, you’re invited to meet 28 emerging design talents in The Scene is Here, an exhibition and programme put on by Creative Industries Fund NL at Dutch Design Week, giving a unique glimpse into the daily drives and practices of a new generation of designers. What are their motives, their thoughts and ambitions, and what values do their works reflect?

Every year, Creative Industries Fund NL gives out a large number of grants to rising talents in the fields of design, architecture and digital culture, allowing them to develop their artistic processes, output and professional practices. The Scene is Here showcases those who received this grant in 2019; from young fashion visionary Anouk Beckers to interdisciplinary design talent and Glamcult-favourite Gino Anthonisse. This year’s talent selection was captured in 28 one-minute videos, which you can watch on site at MU, directed by interactive powerhouse Studio Moniker. In addition to these promising personal portraits, there will be workshops and performances by the selected talents.

The Scene is Here not only represents the future of Dutch design, it is also directly linked to the future of humanity and Planet Earth. Angelique Spaninks, chair of the Talent Development Grant Programme advisory committee, explains: “They [the designers] want to tackle the roots of failing systems everywhere—social, political, economic, cultural—sometimes in a serving role, but always self-confident. Of course, they won’t be able to solve the world’s problems, but they’ll restore connections and contribute to the turning tide by working closely together, with each other, but especially with scientists, specialists and others in the industry who really want to do things differently.”

Eindhoven is calling. Step onto the scene!