Short Description
Manifesta 16 Ruhr will unfold across the Ruhr Area in Summer 2026. Through close collaboration with local communities, Manifesta 16 engages with social, political and environmental issues, offering new perspectives on the historical and contemporary fabric of the Ruhr Area. The biennial will repurpose empty post-war church buildings to rethink how these spaces, being demolished or abandoned at a rapid rate in Germany, can yet again serve communities and become renewed axes for cohesion and collaboration within neighborhoods.
Eligibility
Manifesta 16 Ruhr, the 16th edition of the European Nomadic Biennial, announces its Open Call for local projects, inviting initiatives, collectives, institutions and individuals from across the Ruhr Area to propose interdisciplinary socio-cultural projects. The biennial, taking place from the 21st of June until the 4th of October 2026, aims to co-develop projects that are rooted in local contexts—initiated with, for and by communities—to foster long-term cultural engagement and co-creation beyond the biennial itself.
Submission Requirements
- Project description (500 words max in English or German) explaining why this project is important for the Ruhr Area;
- Project details including the format (e.g. performance, exhibition, event, installation, cooking session, a garden, an action, a workshop, a tour), proposed date, proposed audience (youth, families, the elderly) and location/s where the project will take place;
- Specification whether the project is existing, being adapted or newly conceived for Manifesta 16 Ruhr. All versions are accepted.
- CV of applicant/s and portfolio of previous work if applicable (10 pages max, downloadable format);
- Description of project partners, including letters of commitment, if applicable
- A financial plan including a detailed budget;
- Explanation of financial strategy if Manifesta 16 funding proves insufficient for full production.
How to Apply
Submit your complete proposal to m16opencall@manifesta.org
Program Benefits & Awards
The Open Call projects are part of the Manifesta 16 + programme which is co-developed with the selected project partners. Manifesta 16 Ruhr will enter into collaboration agreements with the selected project partners, which will include a financial contribution of up to 15,000 Euro (incl. taxes), depending on the scale and complexity of the project. The agreements will further define responsibilities and timelines to guarantee the successful realisation and implementation of the projects. (i.e. venue coordination, financial planning, production, and communications).
Entry Fee
None
Location
Ruhr Area, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2025
Website Link: https://manifesta16.org/opencall
