Organizer Information

OPEN ART is a contemporary art festival based in Freiburg, Germany, that brings art into the urban landscape. The festival transforms everyday spaces such as shops, restaurants, public areas, and city streets into stages for site-specific works, fostering engagement between artists, local businesses, and residents. OPEN ART emphasizes accessibility, sustainability, and dialogue between artists and the public, promoting a living, interactive art experience.

Title & Description

OPEN ART 2026 – Moments of Art: Art in the Place of the Present

OPEN ART 2026 invites artists to propose site-specific works in Freiburg, the surrounding region, or by those with a strong connection to the city. This edition’s central theme is “unavailability”, highlighting the unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unknown aspects of life. Artists are encouraged to create works that transform everyday spaces and provoke new forms of resonance, wonder, and vibrancy in the city. The festival showcases diverse disciplines, including sculpture, sound, performance, happenings, and hybrid formats, all designed to engage dynamically with each location and its materials, processes, and social context.

Categories

  • Site-specific installation and visual art
  • Performance art, happenings, and interactive works
  • Sound art and experimental media
  • Hybrid or cross-disciplinary projects
  • Artistic interventions in public spaces or partner businesses

Eligibility

  • Artists based in Freiburg, the surrounding region, or those with a personal/professional connection to the city.
  • Open to individuals (no collective restrictions specified).
  • Applicants should be able to work independently and liaise with local businesses or institutions for on-site realization.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Selected projects receive approval and support from the festival team.
  • Opportunity to implement and present works in Freiburg’s urban environment.
  • Access to a list of cooperating businesses and institutions for potential locations.
  • Opening and ceremonial closing events, including a jury prize award.
  • Public exposure to Freiburg residents, tourists, and cultural stakeholders.

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

  1. Short bio with connection to Freiburg (≈1,500 characters).
  2. Concept idea for a project on the theme “unavailability” (≈2,500 characters), including proposed formats, materials, and site engagement. Additional materials such as images, sketches, or videos can be uploaded.
  3. Consent form (provided in the application).

How to Apply

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 15 December 2025
  • Notification of Selection: by end of January 2026
  • Festival Dates: 3 – 17 May 2026

Location

Freiburg, Germany

Additional Details

  • Artists independently select and establish contact with locations, with the option to access a curated list of potential partner businesses.
  • Projects must reflect local relevance, incorporating site-specific materials, history, or activities.
  • Emphasis on sustainability: use leftover or recycled materials, and adopt environmentally conscious production methods.
  • OPEN ART fosters dialogue and accessibility, aiming to reach broader population groups, including those with limited prior exposure to contemporary art.
  • The focus is on process, exchange, and experience, rather than solely on the finished product.

Website Link: https://open-art.org/

Exhibition