TIDAL ArtS will award 20 financial grants to artists, collectives, and creatives across Europe (see the Eligible Countries below) who can inspire and engage people in the Mission through their unique creations. These artworks will connect communities to their local waters, celebrate that connection, reflect the Mission's themes, and highlight the four key ocean and water basins that serve as regional hubs for inspiration and action.
The Lighthouse Calls will provide 5 artists, collectives, and/or creatives in each of the 4 Lighthouse areas with financial awards in the amount of 15,000 Euro per award. The deadline to apply is 23:59 on June 14, 2025, CEST.
The 20 awarded artists will be supported in their processes through a variety of ways, including a series of workshops. These workshops will bring the artists together with scientists, civil society, educators, and more for an introduction to the Mission and the themes affecting their bodies of water, as well as provide information and tools on co-creation and citizen engagement. Combined, this support will help ensure that the artists’ projects are participatory in nature and meet the Mission’s goals.
Lighthouses and Eligible Countries:
1. Atlantic - Arctic
Faroe Islands, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
2. Baltic - North Sea
Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom
3. Mediterranean Sea
Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye
4. Danube River - Black Sea
Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine
Evaluation and Selection Process:
The evaluation process involves considering criteria from four categories, including:
Relevance of the project to the Calls – 30%
Artist's experience and profile – 25%
Quality and circularity of the project design plan – 25%
Impact – 20%
Short-listed candidates will be called for interviews.
Awardees will be required to sign a contract and assigned a dedicated liaison from the TIDAL ArtS Consortium to provide guidance, monitor progress, and ensure that the project aligns with the predefined goals.
The awardee will begin their project, which runs from 6-9 months. Awarded artists must complete their projects by the end of June 2026.
Key Deadlines:
April 14, 2025 - Lighthouse Calls open and are published
June 14, 2025 - Deadline to apply
July 2025 - Shortlisted applicants interviewed
August 2025 - Phase 2: Project Start
June 2026 - Phase 2: Project Finish
Summer 2027 - Final TIDAL ArtS Event
Applicants are invited to read the Lighthouse Calls for Proposals PDF and “Funding” section on the TIDAL ArtS website.
Please do not forget to check the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for more comprehensive information about the call.