Sign up here for the Free Heri Heri Open Call for Illustrators & visual artists

We’re looking for talented illustrators to bring new stories and perspectives to Free Heri Heri for All. Through your art, you can help celebrate heritage, community, and creativity around this special project.

If you’d like to take part in the open call and become the selected illustrator of the year (2026), please fill out the form below and share your concept with us.

THIS IS A WORLDWIDE OPEN CALL - for all Artists from (or connected to) the African Diaspora.

short briefing -context

Free Heri Heri for All is entering its 7th edition.

Each year, we commemorate and celebrate the abolishment of the transatlantic slave trade on July 1st 1863, within the Dutch Kingdom which at the time consisted of (Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Saba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Suriname).
The artwork for Free Heri Heri for All celebrates emancipation, freedom, and cultural resilience. It reflects joy, empowerment, and connection, while also conveying heritage, intergenerational exchange, and the richness of our Afro-Caribbean and Black diaspora culture, while fostering community, pride, and togetherness.

We welcome fresh ideas, unique styles, and voices that reflect the diversity and spirit of Free Heri Heri.

See what our previous illustrators created here

terms of condition

1. Organizer
The Free Heri Heri for All Open Call (“the Open Call”) is organized by Stichting KIP Republic.

2. Purpose
The Open Call invites illustrators and visual artists, especially from the African diaspora and global communities, to submit one original concept to be considered for the 2026 Free Heri Heri for All artwork.

3. Eligibility

  • The Open Call is open to artists worldwide, aged 18 or older.

  • We encourage applications from artists who identify with or are connected to the African diaspora.

  • By entering, participants confirm that all submitted work is their own original creation.

4. Submission Guidelines

  • Submissions must be made via the official online form by the deadline: December 1st 2025.

  • Each artist may submit one concept proposal.

  • Files should be submitted in the formats requested in the form.

  • Incomplete or late entries will not be considered.

5. Selection

  • The creative team at KIP Republic consisting of 5 jury members, will review submissions.

  • Selected artists will be contacted directly by email on December 19th 2025.

  • The decision of the jury is final and not subject to appeal.

6. Rights & Usage

  • Artists retain copyright of their work.

  • By submitting, artists grant the Organizer the right to review, exhibit, and promote their concept in connection with the Open Call (non-exclusive, non-commercial use).

  • If selected, the chosen artist agrees to grant the Organizer an exclusive license to use, reproduce and distribute the final artwork for Free Heri Heri for All 2026 across print, digital, and promotional platforms.

  • The Organizer commits to crediting the artist’s name in all uses of the selected work.

7. Compensation

  • The selected artist will receive an artist fee of €5000.

  • A round trip to Amsterdam during the projects’ production week (June 25th) including accommodation

  • No other compensation will be provided for submissions that are not selected.

8. Confidentiality & Data

  • Personal data collected through the form will be used solely for administering the Open Call.

  • Data will not be shared with third parties without consent.

9. Agreement
By submitting an entry, participants agree to these Terms & Conditions.

10. Contact
For questions, please contact: opencall@kiprepublic.com