December includes several opportunities relevant to cultural and creative professionals across Europe. This curated list presents five open calls offering residencies, funding, cross-border collaboration, and sector-specific support. Whether your work involves curation, artistic practice, publishing, or performing arts, these opportunities may help you plan and develop projects for 2026.
By Nasia BaniaSector: Photography, Curatorial Practice, Research, Exhibitions
Deadline: December 31, 2025
The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation announces its two-year Curatorial Fellowship, aimed at supporting mid-career curators working in contemporary photography. Based in Frankfurt/Main, the Foundation maintains a major international collection and an active programme of exhibitions, awards, and research initiatives. The fellowship offers a substantial professional development opportunity through hands-on exhibition work, thematic research, and collaborative engagement with the Foundation’s collection.
Support provided:
- €10,000 remuneration for the full two-year fellowship
- Full coverage of travel costs
- Opportunity to co-curate and realise an exhibition in collaboration with the Foundation
- Curatorial guidance and access to the organisation’s contemporary photography collection
Who can apply:
- Mid-career curators with at least 4 years of experience in contemporary photography exhibitions
- Applicants with strong conceptual and thematic curatorial skills; experience with collections is desirable
- Curators able to bring diverse perspectives to expand the collection’s scope
- Fluent in English; open to remote collaboration and occasional travel
More details here.
Sector: Performing Arts, Touring, Cross-Border Collaboration, Digital Innovation
Deadline: January 15, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time)
Creative Europe has launched a new call to shape the next phase of Perform Europe, allocating €2 million to reinvent how performing arts works tour and circulate across borders. This call will select one organisation or consortium to manage the entire Perform Europe programme, including regranting at least 25 collaborative touring and distribution projects across all performing arts disciplines.
Support provided:
- €2 million total budget (minimum 70% dedicated to cascading grants for touring/distribution projects)
- 24 months of funding (2026–2028)
- Resources to manage a European platform, digital tools, networking, capacity building, and outreach activities
Who can apply:
- Legal entities active in the performing arts sector
- Based in any Creative Europe participating country
- Applicants should have strong experience in performing arts, international cooperation, and project management
More details here.
Sector: Audiovisual, Film, TV, Animation, Creative Documentary
Deadline: February 25, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time)
Creative Europe’s European Co-Development scheme supports partnerships between independent European production companies developing new audiovisual works with strong cross-border and international market potential. Eligible projects include animation, creative documentary, and fiction works intended for cinema, television, digital platforms, or multi-platform environments.
Support provided:
- Total budget: €9,000,000
- Funding for the co-development of a single audiovisual project
- Support for creative, financial, and marketing development, preparing projects for European and international markets
Who can apply:
- At least two independent European production companies from different eligible countries
- Applicants must have a formal co-development agreement outlining creative and production responsibilities
- Projects must demonstrate high artistic quality, cultural diversity, and clear distribution potential
- Applications should include sustainability measures and commitments to gender balance, inclusion, and representation
More details here.
Sector: Visual Arts, Textiles, Curating, Artist Residencies
Deadline: December 31, 2025
The Textile Art Factory Residency, developed by Lottozero in collaboration with the Museo del Tessuto di Prato and Studio Corte 17, invites emerging artists and curators to engage deeply with the cultural and industrial heritage of Prato’s renowned textile district. Supported by the Regional Programme Tuscany FSE+ 2021–2027, the programme combines artistic creation with technical training and site-specific research.
Over two six-month residency cycles, eight Italian-speaking artists and two curators under the age of 36 will participate in a structured environment designed for experimentation, mentorship, and professional development. Residents gain access to Lottozero’s textile laboratory, the museum’s archives, and an extensive network of local manufacturers and artisans.
Support provided:
- Accommodation in a shared apartment
- Individual workspace and full access to Lottozero’s textile lab
- Monthly stipend of €500
- Workshops on contemporary art, curating, and textile techniques
- Mentoring from local and international professionals
- Opportunities for collaboration with textile producers
- Public exhibitions and publications presenting residency outcomes
Who can apply:
- Artists and curators under 36
- Italian-speaking (minimum B1 level)
- Not enrolled in formal education and not employed full-time
- Applicants must reside in one of the eligible Creative Europe countries
More details here.
Sector: Literature, Translation, Publishing, Cultural Cooperation|
Deadline: January 29, 2026
The Circulation of European Literary Works call supports the transnational circulation, translation, and promotion of European works of fiction. Through a total budget of €5 million, Creative Europe aims to fund around 40 projects in 2026, encouraging linguistic diversity and cultural exchange across Europe.
Support provided:
- Total budget: €5 million (approx. 40 projects funded annually)
- Funding for translation, publication, distribution, and promotion of European literary works
Projects can be:
- Small scale: minimum 5 translations
- Medium scale: minimum 11 translations
- Large scale: minimum 21 translations (for consortia only)
Who can apply:
- Organisations from the book and publishing sector
- Applicants may apply individually or as a consortium of at least two eligible organisations
More details here.
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Main Image: Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash
