Participating in an open call: tips & tricks
With an open call, an organization opens itself up to new and unexpected proposals. This often offers opportunities to grow in your practice or career: a new job, a project, recognition, training or a chance to develop something. It can be a participation in a festival, a residency, but also a specific (art) assignment.
On our website you will find a list of open calls. Be sure to also take a look at the organizations below:
How do you find out if an open call is for you? Does it come at the right time in your career? Does the organization employ fair practices? Is the call fair, accessible, sustainable, transparent, inclusive and caring? This checklist and tips will help you with those questions.
Is the description of the call clear? Are the criteria clear so that you can check whether your candidacy is receptive? Is the call formulated openly, so that you can put your own story into it and place your own accents?
If you have doubts about this, ask the initiators your questions in advance or discuss them during a possible introductory meeting.
With open calls, it is good to ask yourself if you are ready, and if this is the right time. Sometimes a call may come too soon because you still have steps to take in your career, or you are already further along so you don’t really need the offer anymore.
Work out for yourself where you are now, where you want to go in the next few years, and what is needed to achieve that. How does the call fit your growth curve? This thinking exercise also helps you in articulating your motivation.
Is the call open to all potential candidates, regardless of gender, ethnic background, disability, age, education or other possible forms or grounds of discrimination? Is consideration given to candidates’ personal living arrangements, such as young children or certain care responsibilities? On the other hand, is there no tokenism?
If you suspect that a call discriminates, seek advice from the Interfederal Equality Center Unia or from other organizations that stand up against discrimination. You can find out about discrimination and transgressive behavior through our advice pages.
Do you have a disability and want to know if your needs can be accommodated? Ask the initiators.
Do you have to pay to participate in the call? Compare the price with similar open calls, or ask the promoter for clarification on costs.
Is a fee provided? You can use Juist is Juist‘s tool to check if the fee is correct.
If you wonder whether your copyrights are guaranteed, consult Cultuurloket, the knowledge center for business support in the sector.
Are participants treated with care in an atmosphere of dialogue, mutual respect and trust? Check the initiator’s values online, or ask questions about them.
Is there a focus on sustainable use of materials, infrastructure and transportation? Check whether work is done sustainably or check the knowledge about this via Cultuurzaam.
Is what the initiator envisions in the call feasible, and will any promises be kept? Inform yourself about the initiator or ask about colleagues’ experiences.
Talking to your peers about an open call and whether it is something for you is important. Talk about it in confidence or consider submitting together as a duo or group (if that is relevant and receptive).
Is it clear what you need to submit? If you cannot submit as requested because of other skills, check with the initiator to see if you can use another form (think audio recording or filmed candidacy).
How much time do you need to submit a proposal or candidacy, and do you get that time? Is this proportionate with the call and with your estimate of your chances?
When a call is in two or more phases, each phase requires more input from a candidate, such as developing the proposal or developing a test. Check if a fee is provided for this.
After your submission, did you receive a message that your proposal was well received? If not, inquire about this.
Are the criteria against which the jury will evaluate submissions clear, and are the evaluators known? When criteria are vague, there is a risk that the evaluation will be subjective and insufficiently motivated.
Is the jury known and sufficiently diverse in terms of artistic vision, age, gender and cultural background? Do you see yourself represented in it?
Is it clear who makes the final decision? Read the contest rules, or ask for an explanation of the procedure if it is not clearly described.
If you are selected, it is essential to discuss all the terms in detail before accepting your selection. Does everything match what was promised? If not, you can point this out to the initiator. It is always good to inform yourself of your rights.
Does the initiator provide feedback to candidates who were not selected? If not, you can always ask for oral or written feedback on the evaluation of your candidacy.
Does the initiator respect the confidentiality of a candidacy and the candidate’s intellectual property? As a candidate, you remain the owner and author of your proposals or ideas, which you can also use or submit elsewhere.
If confidentiality has been violated and you have evidence of this, you can hold the initiator in default. Inquire about your rights at Cultuurloket.
