Mediterranean Sea Lighthouse Call

The TIDAL ArtS project seeks to provide funding and support to artists, collectives, and creatives within the Mediterranean Sea region to engage the public in the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" through artistic expression. A total of five grants, valued at 15,000 Euros each, amounting to 75,000 Euros in total, are available for selected projects. The initiative focuses on artworks that celebrate the connection between communities and their local waters, reflecting the themes of the Mission and highlighting four key ocean and water basins as regional hubs for action and inspiration. The call for applications opens on April 14, 2025, with a submission deadline of June 14, 2025, at 23:00 Brussels time. Projects funded under this call are expected to engage with the public until May 31, 2026. Selected artists will benefit from workshops conducted with scientists, civil society representatives, and educators that aim to enhance project design, promote community engagement, and facilitate collaboration. The evaluation of applications will focus on several criteria, including the project's relevance to the Mission, the artist's experience and profile, the quality of the project design, and the potential impact of the artwork on community engagement and education. Artists are required to document their work, cooperate with local communities, exhibit their pieces, and participate in online workshops. The art projects must align with the environmental goals of the Mission and utilize co-creation processes with community members and stakeholders. Applicants should read the provided call document thoroughly and submit their proposals via the relevant online platform, including a project proposal, a curriculum vitae, and an artistic portfolio. In summary, the TIDAL ArtS initiative aims to promote public awareness and engagement regarding ocean and water issues through creative works, encouraging sustainability and community involvement within the Mediterranean region.

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

A total of 5 grants of 15,000 Euro each will be awarded, making the total funding available 75,000 Euro. The awarded artists will receive support through workshops that bring them together with scientists, civil society, and educators. These workshops will provide an introduction to the Mission, discuss themes affecting their bodies of water, and offer information and tools on co-creation and citizen engagement. The aim is to ensure the artists’ projects are participatory and meet the Mission’s goals. Artists will have until June 2026 to implement their projects and engage with the public.

The opening date for submissions is 14 April 2025, and the deadline is 14 June 2025 at 23:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is until 31 May 2026. The project acronym is TIDAL ArtS, and the full name is TIDAL ArtS: TransformIng anD inspiring Aquatic Landscapes through Art and Sciences. The grant agreement number is 101157796. The relevant topic is HORIZON-MISS - Ocean & water and arts: the contribution of creative sectors to Mission Ocean and waters.

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

The evaluation process involves an eligibility check followed by an evaluation by a committee based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance of the project to the Calls – 30%:Alignment with the Mission’s goals and the TIDAL ArtS Lighthouse Calls objectives, 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 showcases 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%:Clear objectives, sustainable practices, cost-effective resource allocation, a solid work plan, and artistic quality while respecting and preserving cultural heritage.

4. Impact – 20%:Engagement of citizens and stakeholders through co-creative processes, inspiration and education of communities with innovative approaches, and a comprehensive plan to showcase and communicate about the artistic work.

The tasks for the selected artists include:

Collaborating with scientists and local communities to co-create artwork that addresses the Mission goals.

Completing and exhibiting the artwork at a venue to engage the public.

Participating in online workshops offered by TIDAL ArtS in autumn 2025.

Documenting the work and engaging via social media channels.

Supporting sustainability by repurposing the artwork or displaying it in multiple locations.

Remaining part of the TIDAL ArtS Alumni Group for future networking and collaboration.

In summary, this opportunity provides funding and support for artists in the Mediterranean region to create art that promotes the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030. It involves a collaborative process with scientists and local communities, aiming to engage the public and raise awareness about ocean and water issues through artistic expression. The project emphasizes sustainability, community involvement, and the creation of impactful and meaningful artwork.

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

Funding Type:This is a grant opportunity, specifically cascade funding.

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

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is focused on the Mediterranean Sea region.

Target Sector:The target sectors are arts, environment, and marine/ocean conservation, with a focus on engaging communities through creative expression to address environmental issues related to water.

Mentioned Countries:While no specific countries are mentioned, the opportunity focuses on the Mediterranean Sea region.

Project Stage:The expected project stage is development and implementation, requiring artists to create and exhibit artwork to engage the public.

Funding Amount:The funding amount is 15,000 Euro per grant, with a total of 5 grants available, making the total funding available 75,000 Euro.

Application Type:The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant. They will also receive non-monetary services, including workshops with scientists, civil society representatives, and educators, providing them with information, tools, and networking opportunities.

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

Success Rates:Since there are 5 grants available and the number of applicants is unknown, the success rate cannot be accurately determined but is likely to be below 10% if there is a high volume of applications.

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

Summary:

The TIDAL ArtS initiative is offering five 15,000 Euro grants to artists, collectives, and creatives in the Mediterranean Sea region. The goal is to inspire and engage the public in the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 through art. Successful applicants will create artworks that connect communities to their local waters, celebrate this connection, reflect the Mission's themes, and highlight key ocean and water basins. The selected artists will participate in workshops with scientists, civil society members, and educators to enhance their projects and ensure they are participatory and aligned with the Mission's goals. Artists are expected to collaborate with local communities, exhibit their artwork, participate in online workshops, document their work, and contribute to the TIDAL ArtS Alumni Group. The application deadline is June 14, 2025. The project aims to use art as a medium to promote ocean and water restoration, citizen engagement, and sustainable practices within the Mediterranean region. The evaluation criteria include the relevance of the project to the call, the artist's experience and profile, the quality and circularity of the project design plan, and the project's potential impact.