Artists

Art, Advocacy and the Istanbul Convention; Stadthagen; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A cultural advocacy organization invites artists and collectives from Armenia and beyond to apply for an open call with stipends up to €3,500. Projects should reflect on the themes of the Istanbul Convention focusing on preventing domestic violence. Selected artists will have opportunities for international exhibitions and curatorial support.

Leistungen

Artist stipends up to €3,500

Curatorial support & mentoring

International visibility

Networking opportunities

Qualifikationen

• Open to artists/collectives who are based in Armenia.
• Ability to complete the proposed work within the project timeframe.
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.

Aufgaben

• Submit an application in English or Armenian.
• Include a project description, CV, visuals, and promo plans.

Jobbeschreibung

About the Project

“Art, Advocacy and the Istanbul Convention” is a two-year international project (2025–2026) using art and culture to raise awareness of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention (hereafter the Convention) and to support its ratification in Armenia. The project combines supporting socially engaged artists with public engagement and policy advocacy, aiming to bring the ideas and ideals of the Convention to wider audiences across Europe.

Domestic violence remains one of the most urgent human rights challenges in Armenia and across Europe. Standing against it is not only about protecting individuals, but about affirming dignity, equality, and freedom for all.

Armenia signed the Convention on 18 January 2018, acknowledging it as the most comprehensive European framework for preventing and combating domestic violence. The Convention lays out clear standards for prevention, survivor-centered protection, prosecution of perpetrators, and coordinated policies. Ratification would mean ensuring proper shelters, accessible support services, and trained professionals across law enforcement and the judiciary. By bringing these principles into the public sphere through art, advocacy, and dialogue, this project seeks to strengthen protection for women and girls — and to inspire the vision of a society where everyone can live in dignity, safety, and equality.

The project is implemented by Berlin-based Palimpsest Projektbüro gGmbH in partnership with the Rights Centre in Armenia, with financial support from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.

Open Call

We invite individual artists and collectives from Armenia and beyond to apply with original artwork or artistic interventions that reflect, interpret or respond to the themes of the Convention, focused on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

We welcome proposals in all contemporary, modern and traditional formats, including:

• Digital media & audiovisual arts
• Mixed media & installations
• Performative pieces (theatre, dance, performance art)
• Painting, graphics
• Photography & documentary pieces
• Text-based projects

What We Offer

Artist stipends up to €3,500. Up to 5 artistic teams will be selected and supported to develop and start producing their work in 2025, and exhibit and disseminate it in 2026.

Curatorial support & mentoring

International visibility: Selected works will be presented in international exhibitions and public events in Strasbourg, Berlin, Yerevan, and other European cities.

Networking with civil society, policymakers, and cultural institutions.

Timeline 2025

17 Oct 2025 – Application deadline

31 Oct 2025 – Selected artists announced

Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 – Production phase

May – Oct 2026 – International exhibitions & events

25 Nov 2026 – Final showcase in Strasbourg (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women)

Eligibility

• Open to artists/collectives who are based in Armenia, have Armenian background or experience in working with Armenian discourse or preventing domestic violence topic.
• Applicants should demonstrate the ability to complete the proposed work within the project timeframe.
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged

Application Requirements

Please submit your application in English or Armenian as one folder, named: Surname_Firstname (e.g. Hakobyan_Anna). Your project application must consist of:

1. Project Description (max. 2 pages): describing your idea, its connection to the Istanbul Convention themes, budget and proposed format.
2. Artist CV or Portfolio: up to 5 examples of previous work (images, links, or video excerpts).
3. Visuals or video describing your project idea (no more than 2 minutes).
4. Promo/ dissemination plans.

Application file size limit: 100 MB total

Upload your application here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/ZLDZXyO15Fro0I2Ii3OB

Incomplete applications unfortunately cannot be considered.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by an international jury of curators, human rights experts, and project partners. Selection will be based on artistic quality and originality, relevance to the project themes, feasibility within timeline and budget, diversity of approaches and sustainability.

For questions, please consult our FAQ. If you still need further information, please contact:

[e-mail] and please include Call for Artists in the subject line.

We look forward to your applications to become a part of our initiative that strengthens dignity, safety, and equality for women and girls in Armenia and beyond.