Danube River-Black Sea Lighthouse Call

The TIDAL ArtS project is providing funding grants specifically aimed at artists, collectives, and creatives located in the Danube River-Black Sea Lighthouse region. This initiative is part of the broader EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, focusing on fostering public engagement through artistic expression. The funding opportunity opens on April 14, 2025, with a submission deadline set for June 14, 2025, at 23:00 Brussels time. The project duration extends until May 31, 2026.

A total funding pool of 75,000 euros is available, with five individual grants of 15,000 euros each awarded to support projects that connect local communities with their waterways and celebrate these connections, aligning with the mission's overarching themes. The project aims to enhance awareness of local aquatic environments and engage public participation through arts-based initiatives.

The selected artists will be provided support in the form of workshops which will aggregate artists, scientists, civil society representatives, and educators. These workshops will facilitate discussions on the mission's objectives and the relevant thematic issues concerning marine and freshwater ecosystems, equipping artists with tools for effective co-creation and community engagement.

To apply, individuals must submit a project proposal, a CV, and an artistic portfolio through the designated website. Applications will first undergo an eligibility check, followed by an evaluation by a committee. Evaluation criteria will assess the relevance of the project to the mission's goals, the artist's experience, the project's design quality, and its potential community impact.

Participating artists are expected to collaborate with scientists and community members to create artworks that resonate with the mission’s themes. They must exhibit their works publicly and maintain engagement with the community during and after the project. Additionally, documentation of their work on social media is required, alongside efforts to ensure the sustainability of their artwork beyond the grant period.

In summary, the TIDAL ArtS initiative presents a unique opportunity for artists in the Danube River-Black Sea region to engage in meaningful projects that address environmental concerns through the lens of art, with substantial support and potential for community impact.

The TIDAL ArtS project is offering financial grants to artists, collectives, and creatives in the Danube River-Black Sea Lighthouse region. The goal is to inspire and engage people in the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 through artistic creations.

The opening date for submissions is 14 April 2025. The deadline for submissions is 14 June 2025 at 23:00 (Brussels time). The deadline model is single-stage. The expected duration of participation is until 31 May 2026. The total funding available is 75,000.00 €. The project acronym is TIDAL ArtS. The full name of the EU funded project is TIDAL ArtS: TransformIng anD inspiring Aquatic Landscapes through Art and Sciences. The grant agreement number is 101157796. The topic is HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-11 - Ocean & water and arts: the contribution of creative sectors to Mission Ocean and waters.

TIDAL ArtS will award 5 financial grants of 15,000 Euro each. The artworks should 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 5 awarded artists will receive support through workshops that bring them together with scientists, civil society, educators, and more. These workshops will introduce the Mission and the themes affecting their bodies of water, and provide information and tools on co-creation and citizen engagement. Artists will have until June 2026 to implement their projects and actively engage with the public.

To apply, applicants should visit tidalarts.eu and follow the instructions. They should read the call document in its entirety before applying. The online application form requires the submission of three documents: a project proposal (template provided), a CV, and an artistic portfolio.

After submission, all applications will undergo an eligibility check. Applications that pass this check will be evaluated by a committee based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance of the project to the Calls – 30%: The project's alignment with the Mission’s goals and the TIDAL ArtS Lighthouse Calls objectives, demonstration of a deep understanding of the target community, and reflection of the artist’s embeddedness within that community.
2. Artist's experience and profile – 25%: The artist's portfolio showcasing relevant work, innovative and meaningful artistic contributions, and experience with participatory and co-creative processes.
3. Quality and circularity of the project design plan – 25%: The project having clear objectives, adopting sustainable practices, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation, following a solid work plan, and demonstrating artistic quality while respecting and preserving cultural heritage.
4. Impact – 20%: The project engaging citizens and stakeholders through co-creative processes, inspiring and educating communities with innovative approaches, and having a comprehensive plan to showcase and communicate about the artistic work.

For more information on this process, refer to the Lighthouse Calls document.

The selected artists are expected to collaborate with scientists and local communities to co-create powerful artwork that speaks to one or more of the Mission goals. They should complete and exhibit their artwork at a venue they organise to engage the public within the project timeframe. Participation in the online workshops offered by TIDAL ArtS in autumn 2025 is required. Artists should document their work and engage via their social media channels. They are also expected to support sustainability beyond the project by repurposing their artwork or having the final artwork displayed in multiple locations over time through their own efforts. Finally, they should remain part of the TIDAL ArtS Alumni Group for future networking and collaboration.

In summary, this opportunity provides funding for artists in the Danube River-Black Sea region to create art that promotes the EU Mission to restore oceans and waters. Artists will receive 15,000 Euro and participate in workshops to develop their projects, which should engage local communities, reflect the Mission's themes, and be exhibited to the public. The application process involves submitting a project proposal, CV, and artistic portfolio, and the selection criteria focus on the project's relevance, the artist's experience, the project's quality and sustainability, and its potential impact. Selected artists will also be expected to collaborate with scientists and local communities, participate in workshops, document their work, and contribute to the project's long-term sustainability.

Eligible Applicant Types: Artists, collectives, and creatives are eligible applicants.

Funding Type: Grant. Specifically, cascade funding.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is open to both single applicants and collectives.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is the Danube River-Black Sea Lighthouse region.

Target Sector: This program targets the intersection of art, ocean and water restoration, and community engagement. It falls under the broader categories of culture, environment, and possibly innovation, with a focus on creative solutions for environmental challenges.

Mentioned Countries: The Danube River-Black Sea Lighthouse region is mentioned, but specific countries within that region are not explicitly listed.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be development and demonstration, with an emphasis on implementation and public engagement. The artists are expected to create and exhibit artwork, indicating a move beyond the initial idea or research phase.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is 15,000 Euro per grant, with 5 grants available, totaling 75,000 Euro.

Application Type: Open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant, as well as non-monetary services such as workshops with scientists, civil society representatives, and educators.

Application Stages: The application process involves two stages: an eligibility check and an evaluation by an evaluation committee.

Success Rates: Since 5 grants are awarded, and the number of applications is not provided, the success rate cannot be determined.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

The TIDAL ArtS initiative offers a funding opportunity for artists, collectives, and creatives in the Danube River-Black Sea Lighthouse region. The program aims to inspire and engage the public in the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 through artistic creations. Five grants of 15,000 Euro each will be awarded to support projects that connect communities to their local waters, celebrate this connection, reflect the Mission's themes, and highlight the four key ocean and water basins in the region.

Successful applicants will not only receive financial support but will also participate in a series of workshops. These workshops will bring together artists, scientists, civil society representatives, and educators to provide an introduction to the Mission, discuss relevant themes, and offer tools for co-creation and citizen engagement. The goal is to ensure that the artists' projects are participatory and aligned with the Mission's objectives.

The selected artists are expected to collaborate with scientists and local communities to co-create impactful artwork that addresses the Mission's goals. They will also be responsible for exhibiting their artwork at a venue they organize to engage the public within the project timeframe, which extends through June 2026. Furthermore, artists are required to participate in online workshops, document their work on social media, and strive for sustainability by repurposing their artwork or ensuring its continued display in multiple locations. They will also become part of the TIDAL ArtS Alumni Group for future networking and collaboration.

The application process involves submitting a project proposal, CV, and artistic portfolio through the tidalarts.eu website. Applications will be evaluated based on their relevance to the call, the artist's experience and profile, the quality and circularity of the project design plan, and the project's potential impact. The opening date for submissions is April 14, 2025, and the deadline is June 14, 2025. This initiative represents a unique opportunity for artists to contribute to environmental conservation and community engagement through their creative work.