Who will be the first Rotterdam Creative Talent of the Year?

Rotterdam City Council and Agency at Night are taking the initiative for the Creative Talent Award. A competition for Rotterdam's creative talent between the ages of 18 and 35. The new competition offers young creators a stage to show their work to a wider audience. On 12 May, the first award ceremony will take place in LantarenVenster. Interested parties can now upload their portfolio via this website.

Entries can be submitted until 11 April. From 18 April, the public and a professional jury can vote for the most outstanding entries. On 1 May, five finalists will be announced. During the final on 12 May, they will have the chance to present themselves in Lantaren Venster and convince the jury why they are the rightful winners. The main prize is a cheque for €1,000 and the title: Rotterdam Creative Talent of the Year.

Organiser is Jeroen Wolfs: ''With the Creative Talent Award, young Rotterdam talents also get the chance to be seen and boost their careers. I am looking forward to the beautiful website full of portfolios showing how talented Rotterdam is. That will be inspiring for everyone.''

Creative Talent Night 2025

During the finals on 12 May, the 75 creative creators with the most votes are invited, the five candidates with the most votes present themselves during an on-stage interview. Agency owners of the city's 52 leading creative agencies will ultimately vote on who the winner will be.

In addition, several speakers will take the stage. DEPT, a globally renowned agency, will share its vision on the future of creative talent, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the new generation of creatives. In addition, the Creative Director of We Are RAW, a leading Dutch network for creative talent development, will give a detailed overview of the dynamics within the national creative industry.

The award not only marks a personal highlight for the winner, but also highlights the crucial role the city plays in supporting and encouraging the creative sector. Rotterdam City Council underlines the city's ongoing commitment to establishing itself as a vibrant centre for innovation and creativity. By actively working together with local initiatives such as the Creative Talent Award, the municipality is committed to strengthening the creative industry and promoting young, talented professionals.