OPEN CALL FOR ART RESIDENCY PARTICIPATION
Join us in shaping a creative dialogue about the future of European societies and the urgent challenges of air pollution!
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
“Transition To 8: European societies in flux” (TT8) is an innovative project merging social sciences, technology, and contemporary art to raise awareness about the impact of air pollution on European communities. Through participatory activities like bodystorming and sociodrama, communities’ biometric and emotional responses are recorded, to understand how communities react to social issues, such as air pollution.
The collected data are analysed by computer and social scientists; then they are integrated into digital moodboards in the form of: raw data, visual material, text, graphs, sonifications and visualisations. Those digital moodboards will be given to artists to integrate data into creating original artworks.
Supported by the Creative Europe programme, the project will run until October 2026 across cities like Eleusis (Mentor / Greece), Rennes (Electroni[k] / France), Ljubljana (MoTA / Slovenia), with exhibitions and performances taking place in all locations and at major festivals such as SONICA in Slovenia and Maintenant in France, with the final showcase being in Yerevan (TAI / Armenia).
ART RESIDENCY DESCRIPTION
Six artists will be selected to create original visual, audiovisual or sound works, integrating the provided data (such as air quality, heart rate, body temperature and skin conductance) collected from community engagement activities in three European territories. These works will explore the societal challenges linked to air pollution and climate change. Between May and July 2025, selected artists will visit one of the three pilot cities to immerse themselves in the local context, engage with communities, host workshops and open studio days.
The residency will have a hybrid form (physical and digital):
- Digital residency: 1 week of digital meetings with project artists and partners, to take place before thε physical residency. 1 week of digital support after research material will be provided to artists.
- Physical residency: up to 2 weeks in the host cities
The final works will be showcased across at least two to four territories, including one of the pilot cities and the culminating exhibition in Armenia.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Participation includes:
- An invitation to one of the 3 cities with a physical residency between May and July 2025
- A digital residency of 1 week before the physical residency, and 1 week between November 2025 and February 2026
- Travel expenses, accommodation and per diem will be provided by the host organisation
- An artist fee of 2500 euros for the creation of the artwork and participation in the showcase event(s).
- A showcase of the artwork in at least 1 to 3 of the pilot cities, as well as a final showcase in Armenia.
- Domestic travel fees in home countries, that are not the host countries, are not covered.
- Purchase or rental of equipment for the productions are not covered.
REQUIREMENTS
- To be originate from and based in an Creative Europe countries*
- To be a professional artist and to have experienced as visual/digital or sound/music artist (hybrid profiles appreciated).
- To propose the production of an artwork (installation or performance) with integrating the data derived from the community engagement sessions based on the biometric and emotional responses of the participants to problems such as air pollution (the material will be provided by TT8’s team on the basis of community engagement).
- To be interested to work on environmental issues and the theme of air pollution
- To be available to carry out this project between April 2025 and October 2026, and take part in the various phases and activities (local meetings, workshops, production residencies, dissemination)
- To have one or more experiences in: transnational creation or dissemination, producing an artistic work, working with data, participating in activities with local populations
- Must speak and write in English and be comfortable in communicating in English with foreigners
- Artists need to be able to issue invoices to the contracting organisations.
- All productions must be delivered to the partners no later than February 15th, 2026.
- All artists need to have updated travel documents and apply for visas (if applicable). The programme does not cover visa expenses.
SCHEDULE
- February 15 2025 at midnight: applications close
- March 2025: Selection and announcement of selected artists
- May - beginning of July 2025: Physical residencies, during which sociodrama sessions with the local communities will take place
- July - end of September 2025: Data analysis
- September - October 2025: Curation of moodboards
- November 2025: Digital moodboards provided to artists
- November 2025 - February 2026: Artistic productions
- March 2026: Communication on the artistic productions
- April 2026 to October 2026: Showcases of artistic works in, from 1 to 3 locations at least*
April 2026: SONICA festival
September 2026: Showcase events in Greece (exhibition and performances)
October 2026: Showcase event in Armenia (exhibition and talks)
October 2026: Maintenant festival
*the above schedule is subject to change according to availabilities, hosting rates, etc.
RESIDENCY LOCATIONS
- Eleusis in Greece: https://transitionto8.com/en-us/platform/eleusis/
- Rennes in France: https://transitionto8.com/en-us/platform/rennes
- Ljubljana in Slovenia: https://transitionto8.com/en-us/platform/ljubljana
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Communication requirements
Selected artists are required to comply with the communication guidelines defined by the project, including appropriate acknowledgement of European Union support. All public communications must include the statement: ‘This project is co-funded by the European Union’ with, where appropriate, the emblem of the European Union next to it (official communication materials and guidelines for use provided). Artists are encouraged to promote inclusivity and accessibility in their communications, in line with the project's wider commitment to intersectionality and diversity.
Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Commitment
Transition To 8 is committed to fostering gender equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the project. We uphold an inclusive environment free from discrimination, guided by a Gender Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity (GEDI) plan applied across all partners. Artists and partners are expected to respect and uphold these values throughout their involvement in the project. Any non-inclusive, discriminatory behaviours will not be tolerated.
Green Practices Commitment
Transition To 8 prioritises sustainability across all project activities, incorporating green practices into artist mobility, production, and event management. Artists and partners are encouraged to contribute to these efforts by aligning with the project’s green strategy, using tools such as carbon calculators, and actively engaging in sustainability-focused workshops and evaluations. Together, we aim to reduce the environmental impact of Transition To 8 while fostering a culture of ecological awareness.
CONTACT & info
More info about Transition To 8: https://transitionto8.com/en-us/creative-europe/
Contact the team of Transition To 8: [email protected]
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Description
How does the human body experience the effects of air pollution? How are digital technology and biometric data woven into artistic creations? How do communities across Europe respond to environmental impacts?
“Transition to 8: European societies in flux” (TT8) is an innovative project implemented within the Creative Europe framework, that integrates social sciences, technology, and contemporary art, through participatory cultural activities, aiming to raise awareness and mobilise large social groups on the effects of air pollution and its social dimensions. It lays the foundation for an expanded role of art in society, using creativity to promote climate action in line with the EU Green Deal and to advance a reimagined, cross-cultural dialogue on the effects of air pollution.
Implemented by the organisations MENTOR, Electroni[k], MoTA and TAI, TT8 offers an unprecedented approach to environmental awareness, by inviting European communities to confront pressing environmental issues together.
It draws on information and communication technologies, sociopsychology, and contemporary art practices, integrated with community participatory activities such as bodystorming and sociodrama, designed for participants to recognize their shared challenges and reflect on urban environmental issues.
During these activities, wearable sensors capture biometric data, ‘translating’ participants’ emotional and physical responses into audiovisual elements.
The data then become the raw material for digital and electronic music artists, who create original works that will debut in a series of exhibitions and performances across Greece, France, Slovenia, and Armenia, including high-profile festival events like SONICA in Slovenia and Maintenant in France.
Over the course of two years, the project encompasses a capacity building programme, an art residency programme for electronic music producers and digital artists, artist workshops, open studio days, community participatory activities all culminating in exhibitions and performances. Local activities are set to unfold throughout 2025, leading up to major festivals and final showcases in 2026!
Project locations: Eleusis - Greece, Rennes - France, Ljubljana - Slovenia, Yerevan - Armenia
Objective: Innovation | Priorities: Audience & Sustainability
Partners
MENTOR (Eleusis, Greece)
MENTOR, the project coordinator, is a cultural management and production company founded in Eleusis, Greece, in 2014, investing in synergies with public and private bodies in the CCSs and with the academic and research community at national and international levels. It focuses on sustainable development through contemporary artistic creation, re-use of public space, new technologies in culture, extroversion, community and audience participatory processes.
Credits: Petros Chytiris for Transition to 8 | Artist: Cocaya
MoTA is a multidisciplinary platform for transitory, experimental, and live art, operating without a permanent collection or fixed location. It organizes exhibitions, events, and educational programs in diverse spaces, locally and internationally. Through initiatives like MoTA Point, the SONICA Festival, and the T.R.I.B.E. residency network, MoTA explores the evolving role of museums. Its expertise in urban data use adds significant value to the project.
Credits: Martin Bricelj Baraga 'Cyanometer', photographed by Iztok Medja
Electroni[k] is a cultural association fostering emerging artistic practices that blend arts, music, and technology. Known for its Maintenant festival, it supports innovative creations, promotes accessibility, and cultivates critical engagement with digital tools. Activities include artist residencies, cultural actions, and community outreach, creating spaces for discovery and dialogue while bridging art and technology.
Credits: Maintenant 2024, photographed by Gwendal Le Flem | Art piece 'Second Self' by Myriam Bleau & Nien-Tzu Weng
Founded in 2014, TAI promotes contemporary art and experimental practices while fostering dialogue on identity, community, and nationality. It emphasizes youth involvement in cultural and civic life, especially in rural areas, and participates in European initiatives like Creative Europe and Erasmus+ to enhance artistic and social engagement.
Credits: TAI | Artist: Anush Ghukasyan
The project is co-funded by the European Union, and builds upon a specific methodology developed by MENTOR, the University of Athens Department of Psychology and Athena Research Centre during the research project “Transition to 8: Bridging social issues, tech and contemporary art”, that was implemented in Eleusis from 2020 until June 2023 within the framework of the European Fund for Regional Development, under the Operational Programme "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020".
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.