Organizer Information

OSTEN Skopje is the organizing institution behind the OSTEN Biennial. Founded in 1945, OSTEN is a well-established art institution in North Macedonia, with a large collection (over 13,000 works) of national and international artists
The OSTEN Biennial, held every two years, is a flagship event for the institution. It is known for its openness to experimentation, its encouragement of non-traditional media, and its commitment to innovation in contemporary art. OSTEN also runs a gallery in Skopje, and the Biennial contributes strongly to its mission of fostering global artistic exchange.

Title & Description

OSTEN BIENNIAL of CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS Skopje
The OSTEN Biennial is issuing a call for artists to participate in its 2026 edition, inviting submissions that challenge traditional artistic forms and conventions. According to the call, OSTEN “gives priority to works that break the old and worn-out art matrices … works that have a specific artist’s mark or hint at an attempt for stepping outside the established academic rules, into the free space of creation.”
Artists are encouraged to submit their most innovative and creative works without restriction of medium, technique, or form. The Biennial welcomes a broad spectrum of contemporary practices, including experimental, conceptual, and multimedia work, underlining its mission to push the boundaries of artistic expression.
The call is designed both to support individual artistic voices and to enable group collaboration: artists can apply alone or in groups of up to seven, either through a joint concept (separate works tied by a theme) or a single work produced collectively.

Categories

  • Visual Art
  • Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media
  • 3D / Object Art & Installations
  • Photography
  • Video Art / Multimedia Art
  • 2D and 3D works

Eligibility

  • Artists aged 18 or older.
  • International: The call is openly international, as the Biennial historically draws artists from many countries.
  • Participation types:
    • Individual: solo artists may apply.
    • Group: up to 7 artists per group. Two formats:
      1. Joint Concept – group members submit separate works that are conceptually linked.
      2. Joint Work – all members collaborate on one shared piece.
    • For groups of over 7 artists, direct communication with the organizers is required.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Exhibition Opportunity: Selected works will be part of the official Biennial exhibition.
  • Catalog Publication: All selected, finalist, and awarded artists will be featured in the Biennial’s catalog.
  • Awards:
    • 3 First Awards (each US$1,000) decided by an international jury
    • 3 Special Awards, 3 Special Recognitions.
    • Awards given by the OSTEN Board: 5 Golden OSTEN Awards, 5 OSTEN Awards, Special Awards/Recognitions.
    • Additional Awards: Lifetime Achievement (Grand Prix), World Cultural Heritage Award, Special Grand Prix, plus awards in collaboration with WAVA and CCA Prilep.
  • Preview Program: Solo and group presentations can be held in OSTEN Gallery, Skopje (May–August 2026).
  • Promotion: Selected works will be promoted in the catalog and via the OSTEN Biennial’s local and international communication channels.

Application Fee

  • Individual Participation Fee: €65
  • Group Participation Fee (up to 7 artists): €130

Application Requirements

  1. Online Application Form: via the OSTEN website.
  2. Short Bio + Portrait Photo: for promotional use.
  3. Works Submission:
    • Up to 5 works created between 2024-2026.
    • For multipart works (diptych, triptych, polyptych), these count as a single “work.”
  4. Digital Documentation:
    • High-resolution digital images (.jpg, .png, or .tiff), 300 dpi, max 2 MB per photo.
    • Full images + optional detail shots.
  5. Consent: By submitting, artists agree that OSTEN may use, exhibit, study, and publish their works in the Biennial or its catalog.
  6. Shipping Info (for Finalists): Finalists (after selection) will have to send the original works by mail. When sending, artists must:
    • Use appropriate packaging (tube, cardboard, wooden boxes, depending on size)
    • Label the back of each piece with name, title, year, medium, and dimensions.
    • Declare a value for customs (max €20 for “non-commercial / for exhibition only”) to potentially avoid import problems.
    • Take care of all shipping costs. OSTEN is not liable for damage or loss.
    • Deadline for works’ arrival: 20 July 2026.

How to Apply

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
  • Notification Date: 30 June 2026
  • Official Program / Exhibition: September–December 2026 (venue: OSTEN Gallery, National Gallery)

Location

Skopje, North Macedonia

Additional Details

  • The selector/curator for the 2026 Biennial is Kornelija Koneska.
  • The international jury (3 members) will choose which finalists’ works will be exhibited and which will receive awards.
  • Once works are submitted online, finalists will be required to ship originals; non-finalists don’t need to ship.
  • The organizer does not assume responsibility for loss or damage during transport, so artists should insure or pack carefully.
  • After the Biennial, artists who want their works returned must arrange pick-up or shipping dates and costs will be clearly communicated later.
  • By applying, artists grant OSTEN permission to exhibit, reproduce, and publish their works in the catalog and in promotional materials.

Website Link: https://www.osten.mk/en/world-gallery-of-drawings/

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