Are you an artist, creative, or collective passionate about the environment, community engagement, and the power of art to inspire change? The TIDAL ArtS Lighthouse Calls are now open, offering a unique opportunity to turn your artistic vision into a force for good.
Backed by the European Union, this open call invites innovative, environmentally conscious creatives from across Europe to take part in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at restoring our ocean and waters by 2030.
Who is the TIDAL ArtS Call Looking For?
TIDAL ArtS is seeking artists, collectives (of up to five people), and creatives working in any artistic medium—from visual and digital arts to performance, literature, design, architecture, and more.
The call is open to those legally resident in one of the eligible countries within the four “Lighthouse” regions:
• Atlantic-Arctic
• Mediterranean
• Baltic-North Sea
• Danube-Black Sea
Applicants must be able to communicate in English and demonstrate an ability to deliver engaging, participatory art projects.
TIDAL ArtS particularly welcomes those with environmentally sustainable practices. Projects must align with the EU’s sustainability goals, including using recyclable materials and adhering to the “do no significant harm” principle under the EU Taxonomy Regulation.
The initiative is committed to inclusivity and actively encourages applications from women, ethnic and sexual minorities, and differently abled artists.
What Does the Call Offer?
Each selected artist or collective will receive a grant of €15,000 to design and deliver an art project rooted in citizen engagement and environmental awareness. But TIDAL ArtS offers far more than just funding.
Awardees will benefit from:
• Workshops: A series of online sessions with scientists, educators, and fellow creatives to deepen your understanding of marine and freshwater issues.
• Mentorship and Support: A dedicated liaison to guide you throughout your project.
• Networking: Opportunities to connect with other artists, researchers, and communities across Europe.
• Visibility: Promotion via EU channels, publications, events, and social media.
• Final Celebration: An invitation to showcase your work in a final event and a digital art catalogue in 2027.
This is your chance to co-create with communities, make a real environmental impact, and elevate your artistic profile on a European stage.
What’s Expected from Participants?
Awardees are expected to deliver a public-facing, participatory art project by June 2026, engaging with their chosen community and one of the Mission’s four Lighthouses. This includes:
- Monthly check-ins with the TIDAL ArtS team to discuss progress.
- Active participation in the autumn 2025 online workshop series.
- Regular documentation of your artistic journey on social media, in collaboration with TIDAL ArtS’ communications team.
- Final reporting and continued promotion of your work after the project ends.
- Sustainability and legacy, with the expectation that artworks can be repurposed or displayed in multiple locations.
The initiative encourages artists to think beyond the canvas and into community co-creating with citizens, celebrating their local waters, and building long-term connections through art.
How Do You Apply?
Applications must be submitted via the TIDAL ArtS website by 23:59 CEST on 14 June 2025. To apply, you’ll need to prepare and submit the following three documents as PDFs:
1. Project Proposal: Use the official template provided on the website. Detail your artistic concept, how it meets the Mission’s goals, and how the €15,000 grant will be used.
2. CV/Resume: One page for individual applicants, or two pages for collectives.
3. Artistic Portfolio: Up to five pages showcasing past work relevant to the themes of the Lighthouse Calls.
Once you begin the application form, you must complete and submit it in one go so make sure all three documents are ready before you start.
Whether you’re a solo artist, a creative duo, or a multidisciplinary team, if your work blends artistic expression with environmental and social purpose, the TIDAL-ArtS-Lighthouse-Calls are your chance to shine.
Read all about the OPEN CALL here: TIDAL-ArtS-Lighthouse-Calls
We will hold the Lighthouse Calls Online Information Session on 19th of May at 18h00 CET.
Register for the Online Info Session here: https://forms.gle/BXTcysUiCNgh2qjdA
Learn more and apply at the project’s website.
TIDAL ArtS project is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.