Theme 2026: Order & Chaos
In 2026, we will explore the tension between structure and disruption together with children. What does order look like through children's eyes? What happens when chaos becomes a driving force for play, creation, and imagination? Projects may interpret this theme broadly: from systems and patterns to chaotic worlds, from hyper-organized to consciously messy.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for projects for children aged 0–16 that connect with the environment, the festival, and the theme. Proposals may consist of:
• experiential spaces, installations, or stories in which children create order or explore chaos;
• making and building projects that play with materials, processes, and unexpected experiments;
• research projects and outdoor laboratories where children discover how systems work (or fall apart);
• projects that actively incorporate nature, the island, and the dynamics of ITGWO.

Focus points and criteria
Each project must be designed in such a way that children can actively participate during the festival. Participating, building together, thinking along, influencing, or stepping into a story is essential. The program revolves around active involvement, not just watching. Therefore, we ask for the following criteria:
• clear relationship with the theme Order & Chaos;
• strong artistic design and feasibility at a festival in outdoor spaces;
• accessible for children aged 0–16, paying attention to differences in age and independence;
• space for autonomy, experimentation, and personal interpretation;
• conscious use of materials and practical feasibility.

Submission
Anyone can submit a proposal. Send in your idea (max. 500 words), including:
• content description and link to order & chaos;
• explanation of how children can participate during the festival;
• practical setup and material use;
• short bio
• relevant visual material (if available).

The deadline is January 28. You can submit your project by emailing jazzy@intothegreatwideopen.nl. All proposals will be reviewed and considered for the upcoming edition by the programmer Jazzy van Wersch, and you will receive a written response.

The Children's Art Program has been a fixed pillar of Into The Great Wide Open since its first year, with projects in which children play an active role and literally become part of the installation or story (such as the Worthless Shopping Center, Wild Rabbit, or Waste to Success). In 2026, we will build on this and seek projects that approach the tension between order and disruption in a playful, exploratory manner.

Image by Sjoerd Knol and Flo Verhulst.