Today, Friday 7 November, the professional jury of the fourteenth edition of the prestigious Graduation Prize of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK) convened. They assessed no fewer than 57 submitted graduation projects. After intensive deliberation, the jury selected ten projects for the prize. The Graduation Prize is awarded in two categories – Bachelor's and Master's – each with a €2,000 prize. The winners will be announced on Thursday 29 January, during the festive award ceremony at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
 
The following projects have been shortlisted: 

Bachelor

• But Miss, What if Gel Dies? by Renée Robin van den Bosch – Fine Art in Education, Breitner Academy
• Insneeuwing by Catharina Clement – Classical Music - Composition, Conservatorium van Amsterdam
• kus kus beng beng by Ollie Launspach, Isa Sluis, Swaantje Kooijmans & team - Directing Documentary & Production, Netherlands Film Academy
• The Birds Shall Return by Nour Alkheder, Janine Liang, Lot Regoor & team – Directing Documentary & Production, Netherlands Film Academy
• The Centre of the Storm by Jefferson Yaw Frempong Manson - Amsterdam’s Drama and Contemporary Music Theatre, Academy of Theatre and Dance

Master

• A Course for Jakarta DETOX Culture by Hannah Liem – Urbanism, Academy of Architecture
• at the edge of connection by Clarinde Wesselink - DAS Choreography, Academy of Theatre and Dance
• Four Comrades, One Echo by Kiva Liu - Artistic Research in and through Cinema, Netherlands Film Academy
• Immaterieel Cultureel Erfgoed Beleid in Musea by Rosita Leeflang - Applied Museum and Heritage Studies, Reinwardt Academy
• Retracing Steps & Process of Becoming by Julian Tjon Sack Kie - Classical Music - Composition, Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Jury
These are the jury members:

• Josien Pieterse - Founder and Director Framer Framed (Jury Chair)
• Bart Rutten - Artistic Director Centraal Museum
• Carla van der Weerdt-Norder - AHK Supervisory Board
• Corine Haitjema - Founder 24classics
• Idriss Nabil - Film Director, Actor, Winner of the 2022 Bachelor's Graduation Prize
• Joy Wielkens - Actress, Theatre Maker, Singer
• Steven van Raan - Architect at Karres & Brands, Winner of the 2022 Master's Graduation Prize

Criteria
How to compare a museology thesis with a landscape design or an opera? The jury is faced with an inspiring and challenging task. In addition to a very good assessment by experts within the academy and by external experts, two important criteria by which the jury assesses the submissions is the degree to which the final work makes a connection with the outside world, and the potential of the project to stimulate development in the workfield.
 
Award Ceremony
In January the jury will announce the winners during the festive awards event, please join us!
Date: Thursday 29 January 2026, 16:00 doors open, 16:30 awards celebration, 18:00 drinks
Location: Blue Stage, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Oosterdokskade 151
Language: English
 
Also visit: ahk.nl/eindwerkprijs