Artistic proposal for city festival Openbare Werken
In April 2025, the Ghent network Tot in de Stad! will jointly organise the city festival Openbare Werken (“public works”), in public spaces and semi-public places in Ghent. With this OPEN CALL, de Koer, Kunsthal Gent and VIERNULVIER are looking for an artistic proposal that has the potential to form an inspiring foundation for the festival.
What are we looking for?
- A thought-provoking artistic proposal that contributes to the imagination of the city. A challenging proposal that taps into the political, social, historical, architectural and/or wider societal significance of a place and its inhabitants. A proposal that connects and uses co-creation as one of its key strategies. A proposal that has the potential to become a breeding ground for other projects and practices presented during Openbare Werken.
- An engagement and regular presence in Ghent from January 2024 to April 2025.
- A contribution to the programme of Kunsthal Gent, VIERNULVIER and de Koer, between January 2024 and April 2025 (a.o. presence at Tot in de Stad! meetings, between January 2024 and April 2025, presentation at Openbare Werken,…).
Who can participate?
- Individual artists and collectives.
- We support artistic projects at the intersection of various media and disciplines. Visual artists, theatre makers, musicians, filmmakers, performers,… are eligible. An interdisciplinary practice is preferred.
- Artists with an interest in the city of Ghent and its many urban challenges.
- Artists with a curiosity about inhabitants and the desire to connect with them.
- You are not required to be based in Ghent, but willing to be in Ghent very regularly. Ideally, you speak Dutch, but this is not a must. You do have the willingness to communicate and work in a connecting and respectful manner with both the organising partners and the various locals you meet.
What are we offering?
- An inviting and inspiring environment to work in, based on the residency programmes of the Koer, Kunsthal Gent and Viernulvier’s Stadsatelier.
- (Collective) workspace and use of an apartment (max. 3 weeks / 21 days).
- Follow-up in terms of content and production support of the plans and ideas.
- A presentation moment as part of the festival Openbare Werken in April 2025.
- A budget of €15,000 (paid in three instalments) to be spent on salary and/or materials, spread over a period of 18 months.
How can I apply?
Using this online form, submit the following documents in 1 PDF by Sunday 12 November at the latest:
- A concise project proposal of max 500 words in which you share with us your idea, motivation, approach, where and with whom you want to work.
- Explanation of how other artistic practices can connect or respond to your proposal.
- Budget estimate.
- Timeline.
- A concise portfolio and CV of max. 4 pages A4.
- You may also share your proposal in an alternative form, e.g. a video, voice message, etc. Keep it concise, think of it as a pitch of 3 to 5 minutes max. (In the second round, we will go deeper into the proposals).
