Organizer Information
The open call is issued by Imaginarius, a cultural project developed by the Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira in Portugal. Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira operates as the public authority behind the initiative, supporting long-term cultural development, urban regeneration through the arts, and international cultural exchange.
Imaginarius itself is internationally recognized as a leading platform dedicated to performing arts in public space, with its flagship event being the annual festival held in Santa Maria da Feira. Imaginarius Festival functions not only as a festival but as a continuous curatorial and research-based artistic program that integrates creation, experimentation, critical reflection, and audience engagement throughout the year.
The organization positions public space as an active artistic medium rather than a passive backdrop. Its curatorial philosophy emphasizes site-specific creation, experimentation, and the transformation of urban environments into spaces of encounter. The 2027 edition continues this trajectory, strengthening its role as an international meeting point for artists working in public and non-conventional spaces.
Title & Description
Imaginarius 2027 International Open Call – Performing Arts in Public Space
This open call invites emerging and mid-career artists, collectives, and interdisciplinary creators to submit proposals for inclusion in the official programme of the Imaginarius 2027 Festival, taking place from 20–22 May 2027 in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal.
The opportunity is focused on performing arts in public space, encouraging works that actively engage with urban environments, communities, and real-time spatial contexts. Submissions may include theatre, dance, circus, music, performance art, installation, new media, and hybrid or multidisciplinary formats.
The central curatorial interest lies in how artistic practices interact with public space as a living, dynamic environment. The festival prioritizes works that introduce risk, experimentation, and originality, and that generate meaningful experiences for diverse audiences. Artistic proposals are expected to move beyond presentation in public space and instead treat the urban context as a core material of creation.
Selected projects will become part of a curated international programme that integrates multiple artistic languages and formats, including fixed-site performances, itinerant works, durational interventions, and participatory installations. The festival expects to select up to 18 projects for the 2027 edition.
Categories
- Theatre
- Dance
- Circus arts
- Music performance
- Performance art
- Site-specific interventions
- Installation-based works
- New media and digital performance
- Interdisciplinary and hybrid practices
A strong emphasis is placed on performative and spatial practices in public environments, regardless of disciplinary classification.
Eligibility
- International and national artists
- Individual artists and collectives
- Emerging and mid-career practitioners
- Independent companies and artistic organizations
- Interdisciplinary creators working in public space contexts
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A coherent artistic trajectory or emerging practice with clear artistic intent
- A strong relationship with the public space as a site of creation
- Readiness for production and presentation in an outdoor or urban context
- Availability for the festival dates (20–22 May 2027)
Projects in development or already premiered are eligible, provided they can be adapted for public space presentation conditions.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected participants receive a structured package of financial and logistical support, including:
Financial support:
- €150 per person per performance
- €200 per person per programming day for installations
- Each project is expected to present 3–5 performances during the festival
Travel support:
- €150 per participant (mainland Portugal)
- €400 per participant (Europe, North Africa, Madeira, Azores)
- €1,200 per participant (other international locations)
Additional support:
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Daily meals for the artistic team
- Local transport (including airport transfers from Porto Airport)
- Technical and production assistance
- Inclusion in official festival communication (print, digital, press)
- Access to Imaginarius PRO professional network and database
- International visibility within a curated festival context
Payments are processed after the festival as a consolidated project-based amount.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Detailed description of the artistic project
- Project specifications (concept, format, presentation mode)
- Artistic biography (individual or collective/company profile)
- Visual documentation (images of the project or related work)
- Video material (recommended)
- Artistic and technical credits
- Technical rider
- Production and logistical requirements
Applications must reflect the current stage of development of the project. Significant changes after selection may not be possible, so accuracy and completeness are essential.
Languages accepted: English or Portuguese only
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 July 2026
- Selection Notification: by 15 October 2026
- Festival Dates: 20–22 May 2027
- Location of Participation: Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
Location
Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
Additional Details
- Up to 18 projects will be selected
- Each project may be presented 3–5 times during the festival
- Programming decisions are curatorial rather than competitive
- Works are evaluated in relation to the overall festival ecosystem, not in isolation
- Strong emphasis on audience interaction, spatial awareness, and site-specific design
- Installations and itinerant works are assessed on a case-by-case basis for presentation format
- Direct audience fundraising or busking during performances is strictly prohibited
The festival frames itself as a curated international platform for experimentation in public space, prioritizing artistic innovation and contextual relevance over traditional competition structures.