Open Call for artistic projects: Finland – developing country of social relations

In 2015 the UN agreed on a new Agenda 2030 which aims to promote sustainable development as a global strategy by taking into account economy, environment, people and culture and thus end poverty and create inclusive societies. For the first time the goals are universal – they apply to all countries and people. They aim for societies where no one is left out.

Finland needs urgently to strengthen the social knowhow and widen the understanding of cultural contexts and histories. One could even say that Finland is a developing country of social relations. Art has a unique force that can draw people together and form temporary communities. Baltic Circle invites artists to investigate the power of art as a social phenomenon, space and event in today’s Finland.

What kind of social knowhow and practices of different cultures would be vital for Finnish society? Could art open up new possibilities to understand each other and the world? What kind of connections and alliances between people is art capable of creating?

Baltic Circle is looking for 1–3 performative projects by Finland-based artists with a focus on social encounter (or lack of it) as material; new works or adaptations of previous works, which take place in public space (indoors / outdoors, media space) or at site-specific venues. We particularly welcome proposals from artists with diverse cultural backgrounds. The works will be presented at Baltic Circle festival in Helsinki 15-19 November, 2016.

We offer following resources, the exact form and budget of commission is to be negotiated:

• Artistic fees (at first hand as working grants of Kone Foundation; the working group can be 1–4 people)
• Material costs
• Possible travel costs to Helsinki
• Technical realisation at the festival
• Production services

Submit your proposal by 3.4.2016 by email to: info(at)balticcircle.fi
Please include estimated budget of the project and cv as well as a link to online portfolio or documentation of previous work. The proposal can also be a draft of an idea to be developed during the process. We hope to get the applications in English although Finnish is also possible.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed personally before the final selections. Selection is made by May 1st. The curatorial team consists of Anna Jussilainen (Arts Promotion Centre Finland), Willem Wilhelmus (independent artist/curator) and Satu Herrala and Hanna Nyman (Baltic Circle).

For more information, please contact Managing Director Hanna Nyman: hanna(at)balticcircle.fi / tel 040 7616834.

The project is implemented in cooperation with the Arts Promotion Centre Finland and it is supported by Kone Foundation and European Union.

Baltic Circle is an annual international theatre festival organised since 2000. In the core of the festival is the question of what theatre is and what it could be. The main organiser of Baltic Circle is Q-teatteri ry.
www.balticcircle.fi