OPEN CALL: SHIFT VI 2025/2026

SHIFT stands for movement and encounters, for overcoming cultural barriers, and for processes of shifting. Artists, neighbours and audiences relate to each other. The programme focuses on aspects of conveyance, participation and artistic discussion involving various groups and their concerns, and on interventions in public space. The artists’ projects create spaces for joint experiences, unusual perspectives and new interfaces between art, politics and society.

The intention of SHIFT is to advance the cultural development of urban peripheries.

SHIFT supports social emancipation, dialogue and diversity.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT

We are looking for projects in all disciplines of art and culture that are aimed at achieving any of the following objectives:

•    Where? Developing new, peripheral locations with little cultural activity: projects in public space, at off-locations and alternative venues, outside urban centres and familiar places
•    What? Art that deals with current topics. Projects that create spaces for joint experiences, that open up unusual perspectives and act as interfaces between art, politics and society.
•    How? Trying unorthodox approaches: multidisciplinary artistic works that transcend established categories
•    With whom? Working together with inhabitants of the city, with local communities in a participative, dialogue-based process

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION

Submissions must be filed using an online form by 30 June 2024 at the latest. The Internet portal for submission will be open from 1 April and will close automatically on 30 June (midnight). A link to the online form will be available here as of 1 April 2024.

As the server may overload, please submit your project in good time.

AMOUNT OF FUNDING

Under the SHIFT programme, 26 of the projects submitted will be funded with fixed amounts:

•    SHIFT (1) Implementation of 2 artistic projects in the amount of EUR 100,000 each
•    SHIFT (2) Implementation of 4 artistic projects in the amount of EUR 75,000 each
•    SHIFT (3) Implementation of 9 artistic projects in the amount of EUR 50,000 each
•    SHIFT (4) Implementation of 9 artistic projects in the amount of EUR 25,000 each

TIME AND PLACE OF IMPLEMENTATION

The funds are reserved for projects to be implemented in Vienna in the period of January 2025 to June 2026.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A PROJECT?

SHIFT addresses the freelance art and culture scene in Vienna (artists, art agents, cultural mediators and organisers, initiatives, collectives and others)

Eligible to apply:
•    legal entities (e.g. associations) domiciled in Vienna
•    registered partnerships and sole proprietorships domiciled in Vienna
•    individuals resident in Vienna. Individuals may apply for a maximum amount of EUR 50,000.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The projects submitted will be evaluated by an independent panel of five experts from the sphere of contemporary art and culture. They will examine the submissions primarily with a view to the content objectives described above. Moreover, all submissions will be evaluated specifically for each of the following aspects:

•    ARTISTIC CONCEPT: Professional and serious artistic examination of a certain topic, high standard of quality, clear presentation of the artists’ intention and the proposed execution
•    INNOVATION: Originality, uniqueness and/or innovative ideas and concepts and/or experimental works (contemporary relevance, openness to different perspectives and voices, pertinence)
•    CONNECTION TO VIENNA: Dealing with the city of Vienna, its inhabitants, with the social, political and cultural setting of the city; cooperation with artists living here
•    CONVEYANCE: Clear presentation of the conveyance concept, of the strategies and/or media used to invite and involve diverse people/groups/visitors
•    COMMUNICATION: Summary of the media and communication channels used to reach the audience in the run-up to the project, and of the measures proposed for media-based preparation and follow-up (PR, social media, advertising, and other relevant channels)
•    SUSTAINABILITY: Measures aimed at the sustainable and eco-friendly implementation of the project (waste prevention, use of eco-friendly materials, sustainable production, leasing/renting rather than buying, regional suppliers/service providers)
•    CALCULATION: Cost awareness, economic efficiency, a convincing funding plan, transparent co-operations and co-productions, support from renowned institutions in art and culture

INFORMATION EVENTS

Public information events will be held on the following dates:

•    Monday, 8 April, 5:30 PM – Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Sitzungssaal), Schillerplatz 3, 1010 Vienna
•    Monday, 15 April, 5:30 PM – FLUCC – Center for Arts and Communities, Praterstern 5, 1020 Vienna
•    Monday, 29 April, 5:30 PM – USUS am Wasser, An der Neuen Donau 1, 1210 Vienna

The information events are held in German. Questions can be asked in German or English.

You are kindly requested to register at ntry.at/shift-info to help us estimate the number of participants; however, registration is not mandatory.