They are looking for proposals that explore, discuss, interpret and visualise Europe in fresh and imaginative ways: cutting-edge concepts and programming that encourage transnational collaborations between creators, thinkers, doers and communities, leading to a large-scale public event in 2024.Through the creative outcomes of these collaborations they hope to inspire Europeans to envision a forward-looking Europe, one that contributes to building fairer, more sustainable societies for all.

If your organisation would like to curate the European Pavilion 2024 and is ready to take on the challenge of making an important artistic contribution to the future imaginary of Europe, please submit your proposal by 14 September 2023 13.00 CEST The European Pavilion Initiated by the European Cultural Foundation in 2020, the European Pavilion is a pan-European initiative that puts the question of Europe and its future(s) at the forefront through cultural projects and art commissions.

It stems from ECF’s conviction that we need more cultural spaces that go beyond national remits when exploring and imagining what Europe is and what it can or should become. It is no accident that the notion of a European Pavilion is reminiscent of World Expos and of the Venice Biennale that emerged from them.

The European Pavilion is there to question in a constructive way the model of national pavilions and – more broadly – the national imaginaries they represent. Not to replace them, but to search for alternatives. The initiative is an opportunity to reinvent the pavilion, a versatile architectural object, as an experimental space for formulating new scenarios for Europe through culture.

Commissioned by ECF through a call for proposals, the European Pavilion presents an arts and culture programme from a pan-European point of view with the intention of making Europe more understandable and relatable as a socio-geographical and cultural space that connects us through shared as well as contested sentiments.

Its activities, productions and events offer a rare opportunity to reflect on new and transnational perspectives explicitly about Europe.

What are they looking for?
They look forward to receiving curatorial proposals from institutions, organisations, or consortia, in any field of arts and culture, that are eager to explore today’s burning questions in and about Europe through creative production and critical debate.

These could include, but are not limited to, the future of our European and global living environments; Europe’s responsibilities in the field of ecological transition and cultural decolonisation; the aesthetic potential of Europe; growing polarisation and social cohesion in our societies; the resurgence of nationalism and the future of democracy in Europe and around the world; digital transition and free media spaces; migration and inclusion; the war in Ukraine; etc.

Proposals must present a convincing concept for a versatile, multifaceted programme to be implemented between January and December 2024 anywhere in Europe.

The primary expectation is that the curatorial programme and its outcomes culminate in one central and outstanding public event for local and European audiences. This event must take place before 30 November 2024. Auxiliary events or activities can be planned throughout the year. The European Pavilion 2024 is open to the development of new and experimental formats, which can take the form of art exhibitions, theatre, dance or music performances, public installations, lectures and debates, any type of multidisciplinary cultural festival, as well as online activities in the digital realm.

They offer a single commissioning grant of up to EUR 500,000 to cover a maximum of 80% of the total budget for the creative development, curation and production costs of the European Pavilion 2024. The grant will be used at the beneficiary’s discretion to commission cultural producers working in a wide variety of fields of practice in Europe and other parts of the world to contribute to the interdisciplinary programme outlined in the winning proposal.

The use of the grant is subject to the following restrictions:

• The grant may not exceed 80% of the overall project budget. Applicants are expected to cofinance a minimum of 20% of the project budget from their own resources (including contributions in-kind, and funds raised from partner organisations, ticketing, etc). Applicants are also expected to contribute a suitable venue (or venues) for hosting the European Pavilion 2024 public event.

• At least 80% of the commissioning grant (up to EUR 400,000) must be allocated to curatorial development, artistic production, and event costs.

• A maximum of 20% of the commissioning grant (up to EUR 100,000) may be allocated to cover project running costs (such as staffing, office administration or rental costs).

• At least 10% of the overall project budget (i.e. commissioning grant + co-financing) must be allocated to event marketing, press relations, and communication – including the production of at least one short video portrait introducing the project, the lead organisation and the main partners. Applicants are expected to regularly contribute to the feed of the European Pavilion digital platform.

Other information here.

About the European Cultural Foundation
The European Cultural Foundation was founded in 1954 to help construct a united Europe where we can live, work, play, dream and express ourselves freely, share a sense of belonging based on solidarity and mutual respect, and collaborate across borders of all kinds, in harmony and in the fullness of our diversity.

Since then, the European Cultural Foundation has initiated and supported projects in culture, civil society, environment and education throughout Europe to promote this sense of belonging. In its nearly 70 years of existence, the foundation has supported thousands of Europeans and organisations with grants and exchanges and has succeeded in putting culture and cultural policies on the European agenda.