CLOSED Open call: CYCLE UP! Sustainable Artist-in-Residence Programme

We believe that artists should play a role in envisioning future(s) to tackle sustainable urban mobility challenges. That’s why we're launching the second round of residencies to develop artistic perspectives on bicycle cultures in four European cities between May and June 2025. This is a unique opportunity for artists to create impactful interventions that inspire local communities and decision makers to reimagine bike-friendly, inclusive urban spaces.

CYCLE UP! project and the residency programme are jointly organised by the Goethe-Institut (Germany), Czech Centres (Czechia), BoMiasto (Poland), PUNKT (Slovakia) and Tartu 2024 with the City of Tartu (Estonia). See what the residencies looked like in 2024 here. You are also invited to visit the virtual exhibition taking place between 2 and 9 December 2024, where you can meet the artists and see their work in Goethe’s metaverse “Goethe VRsum”.

Schedule 2024/2025

• 18th November 2024 Application open date
• 7th January 2025 Application deadline
• January 2025 Evaluation
• February 2025 Results Announced
• May to June 2025 Residencies take place    

Overview

The programme is based on the key artistic values of learning, sharing, inclusion, connection, impact, and change, as outlined in the CYCLE UP! artistic vision. Most importantly, sustainability is central to every aspect of the residency — production, exhibition, mobility, project management, and the networks we aim to build.

• Residencies will be held in Estonia (Tartu), Poland (Katowice), and Czechia (Broumov and České Budějovice)
• Residencies in Estonia and Poland last 30 days each
• Residencies in Czechia last 45 days each
• Each residency is intended for one individual artist to develop and implement their artistic project

What is included

• Accommodation
• Travel costs (up to 400 EUR for a one round trip based on real costs)
• Financial contribution of 1500,- EUR/30 days and 2250,- EUR/45 days (covering living costs and Intellectual Property Rights)
• Studio space
• Materials (up to a given limit)
• Community engagement and sustainability support – the CYCLE UP! team will provide assistance in order to reach an audience outside of the art scene, to try and affect real change in the urban mobility sector, and to achieve the goals of the residency in a sustainable manner

Expected artistic outcomes

• The project proposals should address the cycling challenges of each city and be in line with the focus of the residency space, exploring and promoting potential for improvement in local bicycle culture and sustainable communities.
• The design and delivery of artistic outcomes, interventions, programmes or events must be guided by local contexts, which is described in more detail for each residency separately.
• If you are chosen for the residency programme, your project idea will be further discussed and developed in cooperation with residency partners, the curatorial board, local community partners and local decision makers.
• The final artwork has to be presented to the local public in two events.

Sustainability

The programme aims to minimise the environmental impacts of accommodation, travel, artistic production and exhibition, event and project management.

• Sustainable travel: The CYCLE UP! project encourages applicants to choose sustainable ways of travelling and will support  them in the logistical planning to achieve this: For journeys below 600 km (calculated one way), using any other transport mode other than by plane is required, except in exceptional circumstances such as:

–⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    The artist has a disability that affects the ability to travel differently.

–    The artist's place of residence/place of destination is on an island which is only accessible via aeroplane.

–    The artist is facing a situation of force majeure and serious personal circumstances.

• Sustainability of materials: We favour artists who plan to reuse, share or rent equipment for artistic production. Artists will be supported with knowledge and connection to networks who can advise on sustainable artistic practice related to their artistic medium.
• Sustainability of networks: Artists will be connected with communities and decision makers prior to the start of the residency, and we envision facilitating relationships that last beyond the initial residency.

Find out more in CYCLE UP!’s Sustainability Framework.

Who can apply?

Applicant's profile

• Independent, open-minded, collaborative, good communicator and innovative in outlook.
• Eager to participate with the local community to discuss the needs of bike-culture, mobility or infrastructure, and to reflect these challenges in the original artistic outcome.
• Committed to furthering the values of the CYCLE UP! Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Required (see also the checklist below):

•  Previous artistic experience and fluency in English (B2 level)
• Applicants must be a legal resident in one of the 40 Creative Europe countries and apply for the residency in another country than where they are currently or permanently based
• Applicants may only apply for one residency in one city (either Tartu or Katowice or Broumov or České Budějovice)
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old

Accessibility

The CYCLE UP! project may cover additional financial support for artists whose disabilities affect their ability to carry out a residency programme. Applicants are invited to indicate such disabilities and special needs in the application form. The CYCLE UP! team will contact the applicants individually to understand the support required, based on personal need. Supporting documents will be requested at the application or reporting stage.

How to apply?

Once you have chosen the location of the residency you would like to attend, fill in the application form in English. You will also need to upload the following on to the form:

• CV
• Portfolio

The deadline for applying is the 13th of January 2025, 12:00 CET (noon, Central European Time).

For more information about the individual residences, visit the project's official website.

Please see our checklist and FAQs for any uncertainties. If you experience any accessibility challenges with this document or the application process, please contact the team at: cycleup@czechcentres.cz.

Evaluation process

• Applications after deadline will not be possible to submit, as the system will be closed. Incomplete applications will be not considered
• Applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of the representatives of CYCLE UP! project partners, residential partners from the respective countries, curatorial board members and local decision-makers (optional).
• Applications will be evaluated based on artistic relevance to the residency’s themes (bicycle culture, sustainability, and location-specific challenges), feasibility of the proposed project within the given timeframe and budget, and potential impact on local communities. Clarity of vision and creative and innovative approach will also be taken into account. The top three candidates for the residency location will be invited for a short online interview.

Details for each location and application forms

• Czechia – Broumov
• Czechia – České Budějovice
• Poland – Katowice
• Estonia – Tartu