Organizer Information
The Matsu Biennial Promotion Committee, organized by the Lienchiang County Government and the General Association of Chinese Culture, presents the Matsu Biennial in the Matsu Islands, Taiwan. The Biennial uses art as a way to connect local knowledge, historical memory, contemporary issues, and international cultural exchange. The 4th edition builds on partnerships and international networks developed through the previous three editions.
Title & Description
The 4th Matsu Biennial – International Open Call
The 4th Matsu Biennial International Open Call invites artists, creative practitioners, and artist teams to develop site-responsive projects engaging with the Matsu Islands' history, culture, environment, and contemporary life. The open call does not impose a single theme. Instead, applicants are encouraged to explore Matsu through three interconnected perspectives: Island, Outpost, and Ocean.
Proposals may address subjects including military heritage and collective memory, migration and displacement, Eastern Min culture, folk beliefs, local architecture, ecological conservation, marine environments, sustainability, climate change, and women's perspectives. Artists are expected to conduct local research, fieldwork, exchange, and artistic development in dialogue with Matsu's specific cultural and environmental context.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Installation Art
- Site-Specific Art
- Participatory Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Community-Engaged Art
- Immersive Projects
- Art & Science
- Public Art
- Environmental Art
- Performance and Action-Based Projects
- Other site-responsive artistic practices
Eligibility
The open call is international and welcomes:
- Individual artists
- Creative practitioners
- Artist teams
- Applicants of any nationality
- Applicants aged 18 or above
Teams must designate one representative as the signatory and primary contact. Each individual applicant or team may submit up to two proposals.
Program Benefits & Awards
Approximately 4–5 proposals will be selected. Each selected proposal will, in principle, receive NT$800,000 (approximately US$25,000, inclusive of tax) in financial support. The final amount will be determined according to the project's scope and content.
Selected artists will develop and present their projects as part of the 4th Matsu Biennial. The Organizer and curatorial advisory committee may provide assistance with transportation, accommodation, local resources, and project implementation, depending on the project's needs and the collaboration agreement.
Selected artists will also have opportunities for local exchange and collaboration with Matsu-based cultural practitioners and communities.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
- Selection Results: By the end of November 2026
- Project Completion Deadline: 10 August 2027
- Exhibition Period: 20 August–7 November 2027
- De-installation: By the end of November 2027, subject to adjustment according to the final exhibition schedule
Location
Matsu Islands, Lienchiang County, Taiwan
Additional Details
Selected projects must be suitable for safe and stable public presentation throughout the exhibition period and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Existing works may be adapted, but simple relocation of an existing work will not be prioritized; proposals should respond substantively to Matsu's site and cultural context.
The project proposal must be in Chinese or English, maximum 8 pages / 10 MB, and include the concept, visual materials, dimensions, materials and techniques, implementation plan, maintenance requirements, timeline, and detailed budget. The CV/portfolio must be a maximum 5 pages / 10 MB and include at least three previous works.
International applicants are responsible for applicable taxes, visa requirements, insurance, and other personal requirements. Applicants should also account for transportation challenges to the islands, including weather-related ferry disruptions.
Selected artists retain their moral and economic rights. However, the collaboration agreement grants the Organizer a royalty-free, non-time-limited license for non-commercial research, documentation, publication, publicity, education, and promotional purposes.