Open Call

Open Call for art students, recent graduates and emerging artists

For art students, recent graduates and emerging artists

The Goethe‑Institut Cyprus invites art students, recent graduates and emerging artists (up to ten years since receiving their degree) from all backgrounds and based in Cyprus to submit proposals for (new or existing) artworks, to be displayed in the institute’s indoor areas (such as foyer, staircase, offices).

The Goethe‑Institut, located in the Buffer Zone in Nicosia, is a meeting point between communities and cultures. Among its neighbours are the Ledra Palace Hotel and the Home for Cooperation.

This Open Call aims to amplify local artistic voices and to create meaningful links between Germany and Cyprus. The aim is to open up and encourage dialogue with the viewers through the artwork(s). The Open Call of the Goethe-Institut Cyprus is therefore aimed at students, recent graduates and emerging artists who wish to explore one of the following three themes in the context of Cyprus, Germany and Europe and respond to one of them in their work:

Shared Histories

Explore intersections of Cypriot, German, and broader European lived experiences. Consider migration, multilingualism, queer histories, feminist narratives, or civil‑society movements that influenced collective memory and human‑rights discourse, whether at the time they were happening or retrospectively.

Ecologies in Dialogue

Reflect on environmental justice, nature conservation, climate vulnerability, and the social dimensions of ecological change and the climate crisis in the context of Cyprus, Germany and Europe. Artworks may address subjects such as biodiversity, sustainability, resilience, or environmental inequalities.

Urban Cultures & Diversity

Investigate everyday urban life, whether in Cyprus or Germany. Consider aspects such as architecture, urban planning and mobility, safe spaces, migration, accessibility, public spaces and activism, that shape diverse urban identities, communities and histories.

Who we are

As a cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany, we promote cultural exchange, education and societal discourse in an international context, and support the teaching and learning of the German language. Together with our partners, we focus on global opportunities and challenges, bringing different perspectives into a dialogue based on trust. We regard the ability to listen and to reflect as the key to understanding. We are bound by principles of transparency, diversity and sustainability.

What We Are Looking For

The Goethe‑Institut Cyprus is seeking artworks for its publicly accessible indoor spaces that:

Encourage our visitors, including German language learners, examination candidates and their families, German language teachers, artists, curators, and representatives of partner organisations, to reflect and engage.
Demonstrate a clear conceptual focus and meaningful engagement with the selected theme.
Are 2D and can be wall‑mounted, or positioned on a mantelpiece (painting, drawing, photography, print, textile, mixed media, etc.).
Are suitable for display and maintenance in areas with high visitor traffic and audiences and different age groups.
Contribute towards a pluralistic, inclusive, and intercultural artistic dialogue.

Selected artworks will be leased by the Goethe‑Institut until 31 December 2028. Selected artists will receive a one-time payment of a fixed fee covering production and material costs and the lease period. A contract will be signed between the Goethe‑Institut and the respective selected student, recent graduate or emerging artist.

Selection Process

A jury composed of cultural professionals and staff members of the Goethe-Institut Cyprus will evaluate submissions based on:

Artistic quality
Relevance to the selected theme
Feasibility and suitability for indoor installation
Clarity of documentation and proposal presentation

Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered (all texts are to be in English):

A CV (max. 2 pages)
A short artistic statement (max. 200 words)
A project proposal including concept and selected theme (max. 100 words), materials, dimensions, and installation needs, as well as preferred space, if applicable.
Preliminary sketches of the proposed artwork, or in case of an existing work, images of the final artwork.
A portfolio (max. 10 pages, PDF)

Both new and existing artworks may be submitted. Each applicant may submit up to four proposals.

Site Visits

To support the development of proposals, the Goethe‑Institut will offer the opportunity for site visits on four dates for interested students, recent graduates and emerging artists to view the location and spaces:

Thursday, 8 October at 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Tuesday ,13 October at 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Friday, 23 October at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday, 27 October 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Those interested to attend are kindly requested to register via email at kultur-nikosia@goethe.de.

Timeline

Application deadline: Proposals can be submitted until 2 November 2026 at 2:00 pm.

Submissions: The CV, artistic statement project proposal, sketches and portfolio are to be sent using a WeTransfer link via email to kultur-nikosia@goethe.de with the subject OPEN CALL 2026 SUBMISSION.

Selection results: Applicants will be notified via email no later than 6 November 2026.

Loan period & installation: The loan is for a duration of two years (until end of 2028). The submission of the artworks is to take place until 1 December 2026 at 6:00 pm. These must be accompanied by an updated short biography (up to 100 words) and an artistic statement/concept of the work in English, to be used for communication purposes (up to 150 words). The artworks will be installed in January 2027.