We are excited to announce the continuation of our project initiated last year, with the launch of the 2024 edition this year. This project will once again unite Dutch and Japanese artisans to craft exceptional and innovative pieces that reflect the rich creativity and distinct visions of both cultures.

Our program aims to explore the intersection between Dutch and Japanese craft culture and to create a collaborative products that reflects the talent and creativity of each creators involved in the project. If you can make physical products with your own hands, we want to hear from you.

We believe that this project will be a great opportunity for designers and crafts people to collaborate and learn from each other, and we’re looking for passionate and enthusiastic participants who are interested in exploring new ideas and techniques. By working together, we hope to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you’re interested in joining this program, please read the application requirements below and submit your project proposal with your collaborator. We’re looking for designers and makers who are committed to this program and who are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with creators from a different cultural background.

Program Schedule

Application period:
Monday, 1 April 2024 (from 16:00 in Japan / from 9:00 in The Netherlands)) – Wednesday, 15 May 2024 (Application Deadline Extended to May 20th)

Announcement of the selected pair:
End of June 2024

Hands-on support period:
Middle of June 2024 till end of March 2025

*The selection committee of the program will discuss and consider all applicants and projects. Selected pairs will be announced on this website. The committee will not provide each applicant with any comments, reviews or reasons concerning the application.

Know before you apply

Who we are looking for
1 creative pair consisting of a designer based in the Netherlands and a maker based in Japan

What we offer
We will select one creative pair, who will be provided with our hands-on support. When selected for this program, the pair will meet online and further develop their plan (June – August 2024). The Japanese party will then, accompanied by other Japanese members of the MMM community, visit the Netherlands. The pair will meet each other in person during the MONO JAPAN fair, where they give a presentation and attend our network meeting for all the members of MMM. The pair will collaborate from October 2024 until March 2025 to develop new products.

Program Period
April 1, 2024 – March, 2025

Application Requirements
Make sure you read the requirement details on this page:
https://monomakersmeet.com/practical-information-mono-makers-program/

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit the below documents to info@monojapan.nl (please mention on subject Application for MONO MAKERS PROGRAM) by Wednesday,  15 May 2024.

Applicants must submit:
– Name of Applicant 1
– Link of ‘Profile page’ in MONO MAKERS MEET of Applicant 1
– Name of Applicant 2
– Link of ‘Profile page’ in MONO MAKERS MEET of Applicant 2
– Motivation letter regarding the collaboration in English.
– Targeted goal by the collaboration (What does your collaboration aim to achieve with our support?)
– Reference visuals and texts (images, sketches, presentation, etc. showing us the content of the collaboration)

The application must be submitted jointly by a designer based in the Netherlands and a maker based in Japan.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

The selection committee of the MONO MAKERS PROGRAM will deliberate and discuss all the applicants/projects. The selected pair will be announced on our website by the end of June 2024 (planned).

* The committee will not provide each applicant with any comments, reviews or reasons concerning the application.

To learn about the requirement and the schedule(overview), please also read here:
https://monomakersmeet.com/practical-information-mono-makers-program/

For questions, you can contact by mail to info@monojapan.nl.

Apply before 15 May 2024 (Application Deadline Extended to May 20th)