Open Call

Centre Pompidou in Paris, Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin and Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) are launching the second edition of Cultures d’Avenir. The program is initiated by the Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO). During a six-month period of learning, exchange and networking the program invites young artists to rethink the way of how artistic practice addresses and intersects with societal issues. To sustain these values, the three international art institutions are collaborating with a commitment to critical thought and experimental inquiry while providing their structural support and knowledge.

In cooperation with Allianz Kulturstiftung. Media partner ARTE.

In response to environmental emergencies, gender and inclusion politics, as well as the urgent need to deepen decolonial strategies, the theme of this edition will focus on the following questions: How can community art and collaborative artistic practices address these needs for a future development of society? How does this anticipate the possibility of a viable and sustainable future for all members of society?

The four institutions will therefore create an international network of fifteen young artists from diverse disciplines ranging from theater and dance to visual arts and architecture. For six months, they will share their projects with other artists, reflect upon their own work and learn new creative paths. This collective process of learning will be accompanied by the support of a large group of experts and three mentors who will help them reflect on how their artistic approaches can be put into practice in the most fruitful way. In addition to discussions in the digital space, the program offers the opportunity of travel exchange for three spring workshops taking place in Berlin, Barcelona and Paris in 2023.

What does the program offer?

On-site workshops will be held in Berlin (Feb 11–15, 2023), Barcelona (Apr 25–29, 2023) and Paris (June 20–24, 2023). Travel expenses will be covered by the organization. Participants agree to be available for the dates mentioned. Online discussions will follow the physical events to further explore the issues tackled on site.

In addition, the fifteen selected candidates/artists will have mentoring sessions guided by specialists in the thematic area addressed, chosen by each institution and advised throughout their creative and reflective process.

Reviewing process

A team of experts in the field of community practices and representatives from Centre Pompidou, HKW and CCCB will evaluate all the applications anonymously. A group of 24 participants (eight from each geographic location) will be selected for a personal interview with the members of the jury. Communication with the selected participants and personal interviews will run from November 21 to November 24. The results of the final selection will be communicated by email to the selected 15 participants on November 28.

Who can participate?

Applications will be open from October 25 at 10 am until November 15 at 11:59 pm CET.

Participants must be between 18 and 30 years old as of the beginning of the program in January 2023.

Applicants must reside in France (including the overseas territory), Germany or Catalonia and be fluent in English.

Please apply via email to culturesdavenir@hkw.de with the following documents:

• Application form [PDF]
• CV
• Description of one to three previous or ongoing projects (600 words max.), preferably related to community art and collective practices
• A letter of motivation (400 words max.)
• Image, AV files (optional)
• Website, links to work (optional)