Lighthouse Calls
The Lighthouse Calls are part of the TIDAL ArtS initiative, funded by the EU to support the Mission to Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030. Through this open call, 20 artists, collectives, and creatives across Europe will be awarded €15,000 grants to create community-focused artworks. The selected projects must connect citizens to their aquatic environments and raise awareness of environmental challenges through artistic expression. Five artists will be chosen from each of four designated “Lighthouse” regions—Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea. Projects must be completed by June 2026 and involve collaboration with scientists, educators, and communities.
This call is now closed. Learn more about the funded Projects!
June 14, 2025, at 23:59 CEST
Who can apply?
Individual Artists
Collectives
Creatives of All Types
TIDAL ArtS is committed to principles of Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)
We welcome applications from women, ethnic and sexual minorities, and those differently abled
Eligible Countries
Atlantic-Arctic
Faroe Islands France Iceland Ireland Norway Portugal Spain United Kingdom
Baltic-North Sea
Belgium Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Latvia Lithuania Netherlands Norway Poland Sweden United Kingdom
Mediterranean Sea
Albania Croatia Cyprus France Greece Italy Kosovo Malta Montenegro Slovenia Spain Türkiye
Danube River-Black Sea
Austria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Georgia
Germany
Hungary
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Sloveniav
Ukraine
How does it work?
The 20 awarded artists will be supported in a variety of ways, including through a series of workshops. These workshops will bring the artists together with scientists, civil society and educators for an introduction to the themes affecting their bodies of water. Further, the workshops will provide information on co-creation and citizen engagement. This support will help ensure that the artists’ projects engage citizens and meet the Mission’s goals.
Artists will have until June 2026 to implement their projects and actively engage with the public. Applying artists will be asked to design a project for the value of the 15,000 Euro grant, including submitting a budget. Travel, community engagement, material, and personal costs will be eligible for funding. The submitted budget will be assessed for feasibility as a part of the evaluation process.
What should your project result in?
Each project should result in a publicly displayed creative artistic expression, driven by citizen engagement and scientific knowledge, in a European community selected by the artist. Innovative methods based in art and creativity should be utilised to unlock and strengthen the connection of the public with their aquatic environments. Artistic projects are expected to achieve at least one of the following results:
Connect citizens
Citizens feel better connected to the aquatic environments around them, seeing themselves as a part of them.
Foster understanding
Citizens have a greater understanding of the challenges and pressures facing the ocean and waters.
Enhance and define identities
Citizens identify with their local environment as well as the larger body of water to which they belong. The identity of each Lighthouse is defined and enhanced by the artist’s creation.
Create awareness
Citizens are aware of blue careers and how they can be engaged for their ocean and waters.
Which creative practices are allowed?
Artistic works and creative practices within the cultural and creative sectors as defined by the EU are eligible for funding. These activities include the development of artistic outputs within the visual, literary, performing, fine, and digital arts, as well as in music, design and architecture. The artistic medium is for the artist to define allowing for innovative, syncretic approaches. Projects can include one or more of the following activities:
Exhibitions, expositions, installations
Workshops
Visual, literary, performing, and/or digital arts
Architecture and design
Artistic debate
Public art displays
Art/ocean awareness-raising activities
Why should artists, collectives, and creatives apply?
This is a unique opportunity for artists, collectives, and creatives, including designers and architects, to make a real impact, connect with inspiring people, and contribute to a brighter future for our waters and our planet.
- A €15,000 grant to support the project
- A project liaison for support throughout the project
- Guidance via workshops with scientists, educators, and community leaders
- Networking opportunities with fellow artists, researchers and TIDAL ArtS Alumni
- Opportunity to expand your portfolio and gain international exposure on social media, in publications, via networking events, and across EU platforms
- A toolkit to help with communications to further spotlight your artwork
- Invitations to the final celebration and other Mission Ocean and Waters events
Eligibility Criteria
- Have the legal right to reside and work where the project is implemented
- Implement the project in one of the eligible countries
- Be able to communicate in English (the application must be submitted in English)
- Have one or more social media accounts to document the artistic process and drive engagement
- Commit to the Make Europe Blue Campaign, a Climate Pact pledge leading to carbon neutrality, and comply with ethical and sustainable standards, such as sustainability (the artwork should be sustainable, including the use of recyclable materials and circular solutions) and the No Harm Principle.
- Have no conflicts of interest with the TIDAL ArtS Consortium and its sister project PartArt4OW. See Lighthouse Calls document for more information.
What are the expectations and obligations if selected?
- Meet the project deadlines within the established time-period
- Complete and exhibit your artwork at a venue you organise to engage the public within the project timeframe
- Participate in the online workshops offered by TIDAL ArtS in autumn 2025
- Collaborate with scientists and local communities, among others, to co-create powerful artwork that speaks to one or more of the Mission goals
- Document your work and engage via your social media channels
- Complete reporting requirements (monthly check-in call, documentation/reports)
- Support sustainability beyond the project by repurposing your artwork or having the final artwork displayed in multiple locations over time through your own efforts
- Remain part of the TIDAL ArtS Alumni Group for future networking and collaboration
Important dates
| TIDAL ArtS: The Lighthouse Calls | 2025–2027 Project Timeline *dates subject to change Phase 1 — Application, Evaluation, & Selection | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Event/Activity | Description |
| April 14, 2025 | Lighthouse Calls open and are published | Applicants have two months from this day to apply. |
| May 19, 2025 | Open Online Information Session | This online session will inform prospective applicants about the Lighthouse Calls, including goals, expectations, deadlines, and more. |
| June 14, 2025 | Deadline to apply | All applications must be submitted via the online application form on the website by 23:59 CEST on this date. |
| July 2025 | Shortlisted applicants interviewed | The final round of applicants will be invited to interview during this time period. |
| August 2025 | Applicants notified of their award status & contract process initiated | Applicants will be notified during this time of their award status. Awardees will receive further information on signing the contract and moving forward. |
| August 2025 | Contracts signed, TIDAL ArtS liaison introduced | All awardees will have signed their contract and met their liaison during this time. |
| TIDAL ArtS: The Lighthouse Calls | 2025–2027 Project Timeline *dates subject to change Phase 2 — Project Start to Finish | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Event/Activity | Description |
| August 2025 | Phase 2: Project Start | Awardees officially start and have until the end of June 2026 to complete their projects and reporting. |
| September–November 2025 | Online Workshop Series | Four 2-hour workshops will bring the artists together with scientists, civil society, educators, and citizens to meet and exchange ideas, get inspired, and learn. |
| Monthly | Check-in discussions with TIDAL ArtS Team | These brief monthly meetings will allow the awardees and TIDAL ArtS Team members to discuss the projects evolution and address any questions, issues, etc. |
| June 2026 | Phase 2: Project Finish | Awardees will have completed and exhibited their projects by this time and submitted a final report on their project. |
| Final TIDAL ArtS Event Showcase (attendance is optional, but highly welcomed and encouraged) | ||
| Summer 2027 | Final event (date TBA; invitations will be sent once the date is established) | A final event will bring all TIDAL ArtS awardees and stakeholders together to celebrate the artworks and channel the overall project experience and significance. |
How to Apply in 7 Easy Steps
Prepare your 3 PDFs (project proposal, CV, and artistic portfolio).
Select the Apply Now button below.
Answer all questions, upload your documents, and select submit!
Check your email to ensure your application was received.
Prepare the 3 PDFs to include with your application
1. Project Proposal
A project proposal must be completed using the Project Proposal Template (see below). Applicants should consider the evaluation criteria, objectives, and expected results of the Calls when designing their projects.
2. CV/Resume
A CV/resume outlining your professional and artistic journey must be uploaded in PDF format (DIN A4, minimum font size 11pt). Additional pages will not be considered.
Note: max. 2 MB; individual applicants max. 1 page, collectives max. 2 pages
3. Artistic Portfolio
Your portfolio in PDF format highlighting works relevant to the Calls must be included. Additional pages will not be considered.
Note: max. 5 MB, max. 5 pages