Based in the Netherlands
Artist-run Not-for-profit
OPEN CALL Artist fee
Applications 2025 closed
Middle Ground is an artist residency series based on a cargo bike.
Its intention, as a roaming art residency, is to connect and reclaim in a society where binary politics and geographies are cut through by anger, fear, and motorways. Today it is taboo to look for ways to compromise with “the other side” rather than finding solidarity with all people. But sometimes, all it can take is to ride a bike somewhere and talk to someone new, to realise that we’re not so different, and often, we want the same things.
Putting the format of an artist residency on a cargo bike is both a political and practical choice.
If the intention is to bridge division, in ways uniting working people, then we need to get rid of the walls that shut each other out. Art spaces are often exclusionary, and art ideals are often disconnected from the reality of living.
Middle Ground uses the cargo bike to melt these boundaries. When someone shows up in a small village on a strange giant bike, even if they look suspicious, they’re going to illicit some kind of mutual connection with local people.
Artists apply to use a specially equipped cargo bike for a month. It will have essentials for travel and art making, as well as space for individual artist equipment.
This first iteration took place in summer 2025 and consisted of 4 artist journeys starting in the Netherlands. During a 1-4 week period each cycled somewhere, met people, and connected to places. These experiences formed the basis of a body of artistic research with potential to be developed further after the residency and continue to engage directly with communities they met.
After the completion of the 2025 residencies, the project is now in a reflection phase. This will conclude with the publishing of a report/artwork documenting the first year, and with which to build support for (the funding of) following years.
Whether you are an artist interested in taking part, a brand or fund that would like to sponsor, or an individual also passionate about cycling art and society, you can read below about ways to get involved.
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View the (now closed) fundraiser:
Applications for 2026 residencies are not yet open. Sign up to the email newsletter or follow online for their announcement.
More details about the (2025) project are in this pdf:
If you are interested in connecting with and supporting the project you can read more information about potential sponsorship here:
For any further information or just to chat about the project please email:
To share this web page with anyone else you can use this link:
https://middleground.jamespac.net
Middle Ground’s press page, with downloadable images is here:
This residency is artist run and not intended for profit.
It is initiated by James Crossley.
Your attention is appreciated. Here’s to a world with more bikes, more art, and less division.
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