Oulu2026 and Upeart invite professional artists to participate in an open call for visual artists worldwide. We are seeking international artists to realize a mural in Rajakylä, Oulu, in August 2022. The global Open Call is accepting portfolios from individual artists or teams until 9th May 2022.

The Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic published the Experts Panel’s report on the Selection of the European Capital of Culture 2026 in Slovakia. It states how the experts panel perceived the final bids of finalists - Nitra, Trenčín and Žilina - their final Bid books, presentations, Q&A session as well as jury visit in each city. The panel also wrote recommendations for every city.

Creative Institute Trenčín is a newly-formed organisation that is responsible for the implementation of European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026. In close collaboration with stakeholders in the private, public and third sector, they focus on the development of culture and creative industries in the city and Europe, as well as fulfilling the goals of Trenčín 2026.

In its meeting, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy outlined the State’s commitment to provide funding for the Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026 project. The Ministerial Committee outlined that central government will commit to a maximum of EUR 20 million in 2020-2026 for financing the Oulu2026 project.

Piia Rantala-Korhonen has been selected as the Chief Executive Officer of the Oulu Cultural Foundation and Samu Forsblom as the Programmer Director of the Foundation. The Oulu Cultural Foundation’s Board made an unanimous decision regarding these selections. Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in the year 2026. European Capital of Culture (ECoC) is one of the best known activities of the European Union.