From the summer of 2026, the Gothic portico of the town hall will be restored and screened off with a canvas depicting the façade. During Wintertijd, this hoarding will be given a new artistic interpretation through a light art installation that brings warmth, imagination and wonder to the heart of the city. A special feature of this commission is the participatory process: young people from Shift will be actively involved in the development and implementation of the project.

This open call is the result of a collaboration between three partners:

• City of Leuven — Leuven’s 15th-century Gothic town hall has been closed since autumn 2025 for extensive restoration. In 2029, it will reopen as the Town Hall – European House for Democracy: a shared meeting place for the people of Leuven and visitors, and one of the highlights of Leuven’s year as European Capital of Culture 2030.

• LOV2030 – Leuven & Beyond — the title under which Leuven and the thirty municipalities of East Brabant were designated European Capital of Culture 2030 in 2025. Under the HumanNature concept, LOV2030 is using culture to build a warmer, more connected region, centred on the pillars of Human, Nature and Innovation.

• Shift — a digital and creative youth centre in Leuven’s Schouwburg theatre, an initiative by Link in de Kabel in collaboration with 30CC. Young people aged between 12 and 25 can experiment there free of charge with digital media and technology — from 3D printing to VR and AI — with a strong focus on social inclusion and accessible introduction to art and culture.

Artistic and product
They are looking for a light art installation that is strong in terms of both content and artistic merit, whilst also being visually appealing and accessible to a wide audience. The work may be based on a specific theme or historical context, but the emphasis lies on visual impact, atmosphere and experience. A strong visual and spatial relationship with the town hall is essential: • the artwork must engage in a dialogue with the architecture, the façade and/or the sculptural elements of the building; • the town hall is an active medium and part of the artwork, not a neutral backdrop. This relationship with the building may be interpreted in a wholly visual and abstract manner. Technical simplicity and feasibility are important, as is respect for the surroundings and the public space. The work must be able to stand on its own. If interaction with the public fits within the artist’s artistic vision, this can be an added value — but it is not a requirement.

The process: working with the young people from Shift
With Shift, Leuven has a key player that enables young people to experiment with digital media. They want to harness their expertise and the community they have built around their work for a participatory process in which young people help to create the artwork for the town hall. This will result in a work created not only for, but also by, the people of Leuven. The form of this participatory process may vary: They are open to different ways of collaborating, both in terms of intensity and format. It is essential that the participating young people experience a genuine sense of involvement and co-ownership of the project. Shift’s digital youth workers will guide the artist through this process and encourage the young people to participate actively. The details of the process will be finalised in consultation, but the artist will set out an initial proposal in the application.

Please bear in mind Shift’s approach: the programme is very accessible, with no registration or fixed workshops, and participants are free to come and go as they please, with no obligations. Further information.

A budget of €50,000 has been allocated for this commission, including VAT and production costs. The specific allocation of the budget will be worked out by mutual agreement.

Deadline for submission of application: 1 September 2026

Other info here.