Organizer Information
Kultursommer Wien is a major annual open-air cultural festival in Vienna, Austria, initiated by the City of Vienna. Since its establishment, the festival has grown into one of Europe’s largest platforms for open-call artistic presentations in public space. It adopts a model that combines free and open submission with curated selection, ensuring both accessibility for artists and artistic quality in programming. The festival is coordinated by a steering team and supported by a rotating Künstlerisches Board (Artistic Board) comprising experts across disciplines. It is known for its diverse, inclusive programme and its commitment to Fair Pay for participating artists.
Title & Description
Kultursommer Wien 2026 – Open Call for Artists
Kultursommer Wien invites artists, groups, and collectives to apply for performance and presentation slots during the 2026 Kultursommer season. The festival activates decentralised pop-up stages across Vienna’s public spaces throughout July and August 2026, offering artists the opportunity to present work directly to the public free of charge. The call is open to a broad range of artistic practices suitable for outdoor, daylight performance. The selection process emphasises artistic diversity, creative innovation, and accessibility. Successful applicants will be part of a lively summer cultural programme that reaches audiences across neighbourhoods in Vienna and beyond.
Categories
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance & Performance
- Kabarett (Cabaret/Comedy)
- Literature and Spoken Word
- Contemporary Circus
- Children’s programming
- Garden concerts in residential homes
Submissions in non-listed categories may also be considered if suited to outdoor, daylight stages.
Eligibility
- International & Local participation: Open to artists of any nationality or residency.
- Who can apply: Individual artists, groups, ensembles, and artistic organisations.
- No age, gender, or career stage restrictions are specified; the festival explicitly invites a mix of emerging and established voices.
- Projects must be suitable for outdoor performance in daylight on public stages.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Performance Opportunity: Accepted artists will perform/present at pop-up public stages across Vienna.
- Exposure: Participation in one of Europe’s most prominent open-air cultural festivals, reaching audiences city-wide.
- Fair Compensation: Kultursommer Vienna adheres to Fair Pay principles, ensuring remuneration for participating artists.
- Audience Reach: The festival attracts thousands of visitors and promotes cultural participation across demographic groups.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Online Submission Form: Submit your project via the official festival online portal.
- Project Description: Clear outline of the proposed work/act suitable for open-air performance.
- Technical Details: Information on staging, performance requirements, and any specific technical needs (as applicable).
- Portfolio/Examples: Past work examples (e.g., videos, recordings) may be requested to support artistic quality.
- Languages: Submissions and presentations may be made in multiple languages; entries in German and English are accepted.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2026
- Festival Dates: July – August 2026 (exact schedule TBC)
- Info Sessions: December 2025 and January 2026 (online support events).
Location
Vienna, Austria
Additional Details
- The selection is made by a Künstlerisches Board, consisting of expert curators across genres.
- The concept of the open call is to invite artistic diversity and lower structural barriers to access.
- The festival includes complementary programming such as children’s events and garden concerts in residential settings.
- Free entry for audiences at all performances reinforces cultural inclusion.