Organizer Information
CreArt is a transnational network of medium-sized European cities aimed at fostering contemporary art through international mobility programs for emerging artists, curators, and cultural agents.
Through CreArt 3.0 (2024–2026), the network supports residencies (AiR), festivals, public-space interventions, educational programs, and cross-city collaborations.
In this open call, the local host organisation is linked to the cultural programme in České Budějovice, which — among other initiatives — runs the Skateholders project as part of the city’s wider cultural activities.
Title & Description
CreArt 3.0 AiR Programme — Skateholders (České Budějovice, CZ)
Skateholders is a cultural initiative based in České Budějovice and the South Bohemian region (linked to the city’s bid as European Capital of Culture 2028). The project seeks to support the development of skateboarding culture by strengthening community engagement, activating public spaces, and improving skate-infrastructure through small-scale architectural interventions.
More broadly, Skateholders uses skateboarding as a platform for international and local networking, education, youth activation, and cultural exchange. As part of the project, the “Skateholders Forum” — a multi-day festival — combines performances, workshops, exhibitions, talks, screenings, and skate sessions, bringing together international guests, local collectives, and community stakeholders.
For the 2026 edition, the focus will be on DIY skateboarding: interpreted through craft, art, urbanism, community and resistance. The planned outputs include a documentary premiere, exhibition of photography/visual art/artefacts related to DIY skate scenes, and the construction of a new skate spot in České Budějovice in collaboration with local DIY collectives.
The residency is aimed at one artist (from the CreArt network) to contribute to the project through artistic work situated in the context of skateboarding, DIY culture, urban space, and community.
Categories
- Visual Art (photography, illustration, painting, sculpture, installation)
- Video / Film / Video Art (short film, video work)
- Public / Urban Art / Site-specific Installation / Spatial Art
- Mixed Media / Interdisciplinary Art (if it fits conceptually)
Eligibility
- Applicants must be artists born, resident or domiciled in one of the cities of the CreArt 3.0 network: — among them: Kaunas (Lithuania), Liepaja (Latvia), Skopje (North Macedonia), Aveiro (Portugal), Valladolid (Spain), Venice (Italy), Clermont-Ferrand and Rouen (France), České Budějovice (Czech Republic), Oulu (Finland), Regensburg (Germany); also artists-members of the Croatian association HDLU; and Ukrainian artists via collaboration with the Lviv-based organisation “Dialogue.”
- The call seeks an artist who has a background or interest in skateboarding, DIY culture, street culture, urban practices or adjacent fields — or is open to exploring DIY skateboarding as craft, art form, philosophy, grassroots urbanism or civic resistance.
- The artist must be available for approximately a 5-week residency in České Budějovice during the summer of 2026. Presence during the first week of July 2026 (the Skateholders Forum) is mandatory.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Travel costs (within CreArt network cities) covered.
- Accommodation for the full residency period is covered.
- Material budget: €1,000 to support the creation of work in the chosen medium.
- Artist fee: €1,000 (covering also food expenses) for the residency.
- Working space, adapted individually depending on medium/artistic needs.
- Access to community, local skate culture, networking with local and national DIY/skateboarding artists and communities; support from existing collaborators on documentation, context, fand acilitated access to local networks.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV / Curriculum Vitae.
- Motivation letter (maximum 1000 words), describing: artistic concept for the residency; media/materials they plan to work with; their connection to skateboarding, DIY practice, or street culture; and a rationale for wanting to work in České Budějovice — including how they intend to engage with skate-communities.
- Portfolio — optional but strongly recommended; should be relevant to the project focus.
How to Apply
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Selection Decision (by): 31 March 2026
- Residency Period: Approximately 5 weeks, from 1 June to 5 July 2026 (the period may be split into two parts if necessary) — with mandatory presence during the first week of July 2026 (Skateholders Forum, festival week).
Location
České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Additional Details
- The project emphasises DIY skateboarding culture, community engagement, urban practices, grassroots activism — making it suitable for artists interested in skateboarding, street culture, urbanism, social practice, and public space interventions.
- Artistic outputs are open-ended: photography, illustration, comics, painting, sculpture, small objects, spatial or site-specific installations, short films or video works — plus other formats if conceptually appropriate.
- The residency aims not only to produce independent artwork but to connect the artist with local communities, support cross-cultural exchange, and contribute to building and enhancing skate culture in České Budějovice.
- The selection will be handled by a committee of experts in skateboarding, DIY culture, public space, and contemporary art; and includes a short online interview with the selected artist by end of March 2026.
Website Link: https://creart2-eu.org/open-calls/creart-3-0-open-call-air-program-skateholders-hosted-by-ceske-budejovice-cz
