As the creative landscape continues to evolve, funding opportunities play a crucial role in nurturing talent and fostering innovation across various artistic disciplines. In this curated list, Creatives Unite presents five exciting opportunities for artists, cultural professionals, and creative practitioners. From dance festivals to international residencies, these programs offer financial support, professional development, and platforms for showcasing work. Whether you're an emerging choreographer, a young curator, or a digital artist, there's something here to fuel your creative journey. Let's explore these diverse opportunities that span multiple countries and artistic fields.
1. Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans: Small Grants
Sector: All Cultural and Creative Sectors (Cross-sectoral)
Deadline: Continuously open until December 31, 2025
Brief description:
UNESCO's Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs) project offers grants of up to €20,000 per project to enhance cultural and creative sectors in the region. The initiative aims to foster dialogue, socio-economic impact, and regional cooperation while promoting inclusive cultural policies, artist mobility, and the protection of cultural heritage.
Why we love it:
This program not only provides financial support but also emphasizes fair partnerships, active participation, and the celebration of cultural diversity. Its long-term goal of supporting over 800 cultural and creative industries and 9,000 cultural professionals demonstrates a significant commitment to the region's creative ecosystem.
Who can apply:
Cultural and creative professionals, public bodies, Civil Society Organizations, community groups, youth, women, disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, education and research institutions, and media professionals in the Western Balkans.
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2. Rave Scholarship for Practical Training in Germany
Sector: Cultural Heritage & Museums, Fine Arts, Design, Architecture, Cultural Management
Deadline: October 25, 2024
Brief description:
The
Rave Scholarship, offered by the Alexander Rave Foundation, provides young professionals from transformation or developing countries with practical training opportunities at German cultural institutions. The program supports 3-6 month placements in 2024/2025, focusing on organising and curating exhibitions in fine arts, design, architecture, and cultural history.
Why we love it:
This scholarship offers a unique opportunity for emerging professionals to gain hands-on experience in prestigious German cultural institutions. It not only supports individual career development but also fosters international cultural exchange and knowledge transfer in the fields of curation, restoration, and cultural management.
Who can apply:
- Curators, restorers, museum technicians, and cultural managers
- Applicants must be permanently residing in a transformation or developing country
- Must have arranged a guest period at a non-commercial German cultural institution for 2024/2025
- Must have completed relevant studies or professional training
- Good command of written and spoken English or German required
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3. transmediale 2025 Residency Programme
Sector: Digital Art, Media, Visual Arts, Sound, Technology
Deadline: October 20, 2024
Brief description:
transmediale, in collaboration with international partners, offers four distinct two-month hybrid residencies for its 2025 programme. These residencies, taking place remotely and on-site in Berlin between May and July 2025, provide opportunities for researchers, artists, theorists, and practitioners to develop projects in fields such as media studies, digital art, and technology studies.
Why we love it:
This programme offers a unique chance to engage with cutting-edge digital art and media theory in an international context. With four different residency types, it caters to diverse backgrounds and nationalities, fostering global cultural exchange and innovation in digital arts.
Who can apply:
Digital Art Residency: Two artists with Swiss nationality or permanent residence in Switzerland.
transmediale x ARKO Residency: One person of Korean nationality.
Vilém Flusser Residency: One Berlin-based person in digital art, moving image, design, sound, or media theory.
transmediale x Chile Residency: One Chilean or Chile-based artist working in art, science, new media, and technology.
Support provided:
- Monthly stipends ranging from €1,500 to €2,250
- Housing support (for some residencies)
- Travel and accommodation funding for the transmediale festival
- Opportunity to present work at the transmediale festival
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4. Lugar Futuro Youth Dance Festival 2025
Sector: Performing Arts (Dance)
Deadline: October 31, 2024
Brief description:
Lugar Futuro, organized by
Lugar Presente, is a youth dance festival showcasing choreographic works by emerging artists. The festival, taking place from March 13-16, 2025 in Viseu, Portugal, invites young dancers and choreographers to apply for this opportunity to present their first professional works.
Why we love it:
This festival provides a valuable platform for young choreographers to showcase their talent and gain exposure in the professional dance world. The event not only offers financial support but also covers accommodation and meals, making it accessible to artists from various backgrounds.
Who can apply:
Young dancers and choreographers from EU countries who are beginning their professional careers in dance.
Participation grant:
For residents in Portugal: €500 plus travel support up to €50/person
For international participants: €500 plus international travel support up to €500
All participants receive free accommodation and meals in Viseu
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5. IJ4EU Freelancer Support Scheme
Sector: Journalism (Cross-border Investigative Journalism)
Deadline: October 28, 2024
Brief description:
The
IJ4EU Freelancer Support Scheme offers grants of up to €20,000 to cross-border teams of journalists, primarily freelancers. This initiative aims to support collaborative investigative journalism projects of local, national, regional, or European importance. In addition to funding, the scheme provides training, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
Why we love it:
This scheme specifically targets freelance journalists, offering not just financial support but also a tailored assistance package. It encourages cross-border collaboration and supports investigations that might otherwise lack resources, contributing to the vitality of European journalism.
Who can apply:
- Teams of journalists based in at least two eligible European countries (EU member states plus several non-EU countries)
- Teams should be predominantly composed of freelancers working outside traditional newsroom structures
- Projects must focus on topics of cross-border relevance
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