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Project Description: Create Impact, Not Just Art

We are inviting one international artist to České Budějovice for a unique 5-week residency. You will not spend this time locked away in a private studio. Instead, you will step directly into a local school to act as a creative mentor for a group of 20+ students.

Together, you will explore the theme of "Well-being" and co-create a physical artwork that transforms the school environment and supports the psychosocial health of the students.

This residency is a proud part of the "Creative Minds" initiative by the European Capital of Culture 2028. Our mission is to use art as a practical tool for developing 21st-century skills. You will guide the students through the entire creative process—from early ideation and design thinking to the final physical production.

Who Are We Looking For:

We are seeking one artist (under 40 years of age; born, resident, or domiciled) from the CreArt 3.0 network cities:  Kaunas (Lithuania), Liepaja (Latvia), Skopje (Northern Macedonia), Aveiro (Portugal), Valladolid (Spain), Venice (Italy), Clermont-Ferrand and Rouen (France), České Budějovice (Czech Republic), Oulu (Finland), Regensburg (Germany), Lublin (Poland), members of HDLU (Croatian Association of Visual Artists), Ukrainian artists through collaboration with Dialog from Lviv.

This opportunity is for you if you:

• Have proven experience in community art, participatory projects, or socially engaged practices.

• Are passionate about education, working with youth, and using art for skills development.

• Are available for an uninterrupted 5-week residency in České Budějovice during Autumn 2026

 

Expected artistic outcome:

• Site-Specific Installation: A physical, permanent or semi-permanent artwork co-created with the students, located directly on the school campus.

• Final Showcase (Open Studio): A public presentation of the artwork and your shared creative process at the end of October, involving students, parents, teachers, and the local community.

What We Offer:

We want you to fully focus on the creative and mentoring process. We will provide full local support, including a local facilitator to help bridge any language barriers with the students.

Financial and logistical support includes:

• Artist Fee: 50,000 CZK (approx. 2,000 EUR)

• Material Budget: 40,000 CZK (approx. 1,600 EUR)

• Travel Costs: Up to 20,000 CZK (approx. 800 EUR)

• Per Diems: 10,000 CZK (approx. 400 EUR)

• Accommodation: Fully paid accommodation in the local residential center. The accommodation also includes an artist's studio, which is fully available to the artist.

• Professional Support: Continuous mentoring from a local curator.

Schedule & Selection Process:

• Deadline for applications: May 29, 2026

• Announcement of artist selection: by June 15, 2026

• Residency Dates: 21 September – 25 October 2026 (5 continuous weeks)

The selection process will evaluate your approach to participation and youth engagement.

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted via the CreArt platform: https://creart2-eu.org/open-calls/

Your application must include:

1. CV (Curriculum Vitae)

2. Portfolio: Highlighting your previous participatory, community, or educational art projects.

3. Motivation Letter: Explaining your approach to participatory art, your experience working with youth, and your vision for addressing the theme of "well-being" in a school setting.

Do you have any questions about the residency or the application process? Please contact the project manager directly: Markéta Šímová marketa.simova@budejovice2028.cz

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