Join the „Echoes of unity” project
OPEN CALL FOR UKRANIAN ARTISTS
Are you an artist from Ukraine displaced due to war? Do you create sculptures/paintings/mix media or other art pieces? Do you feel that in a new country you don’t have as many opportunities for artistic development?
Do you want to promote Ukrainian culture and speak out on issues that are most important to you and your country?
Take part in our project in which you will create your own exhibition in a group of Ukrainian artists! Total number of artists is 9, 3 artists from each country: Italy, Portugal and Poland.
You’ll have an opportunity to tell about your experiences, participate in professional trainings on artistic and business topics which will make you better positioned on the European art market and make many international collaborations and acquaintances.
Experience all this as part of our European project Echoes of Unity – created to support artists from Ukraine.
*Participation is free of charge, all trips, trainings, exhibition materials and accommodation are subsidised by the project.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdj1pg_U1rXxCkvR79tUDg7_7Vg-_nWiVM7aXcZaKIHSdP2Bg/viewform?usp=preview
GOAL
The goal of Echoes of Unity is supporting through artistic and business training, building connections with local communities and promoting Ukrainian culture in Europe. Ukrainian artists from Portugal, Italy and Poland will meet for training Sessions – creative training trips during which they will develop a concept for an artistic mix-media exhibition about their experiences of war, emigration and culture. As part of the project, we will explore artists’ experiences of war, emigration and culture, promoting dialogue and artistic cooperation on a European scale. Among other important elements will be exhibitions, workshops, a documentary film and a digital platform that will allow broad access to artistic creation.
IDEA
Our program consists of a series of artistic professional training workshops for visual artists from Ukraine who have emigrated because of the war and are now struggling to find work and themselves on the European art market. The result of the lab will be a rotating exhibition connected with various supporting events that will take place in Portugal, Italy and Poland.
What awaits you?
PROGRAM
- The programme involves the participation of all participating artists in three Training Courses. These are training trips during which the artists will acquire professional knowledge and entrepreneurial skills and create a joint exhibition concept and plan for exhibits. The Training Courses will take place successively in Poland, Greece and Portugal and each will last approximately 4 days (including travel), the final dates will be agreed with the participants later.
- After all training courses, participants will have 3.5 months to prepare their works in national groups.
- After the preparations, we will arrange a rotating visual exhibition, having started in Italy, then Portugal, and finally Poland.
- At the outset of the exhibition in each country, we will organize open events where you will have the opportunity to show your art, integrate with the local community and share experiences. There will also be discussions, performances and workshops that will introduce participants to the themes of war, emigration and Ukrainian culture.
- After all the exhibitions we will organize an auction in Poland, where the exhibits will be sold to interested people, all proceeds from sales will go to artists involved in the project.
DEADLINES
Deadline for submissions: February 24, 2025
Training and Workshops:
25-28 April in Poland;
23-26 May in Greece;
4-7 July in Portugal;
*Travel included in the dates.
Work in progress for artists: September – December 2025
Exhibitions:
19 January – 18 February 2026 in Italy
23 March – 22 April in Portugal
25 May – 24 June in Poland
* Participation of artists in exhibitions is not necessary
Auction: 24-25 July 2026 in Poland
CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION
We are looking for visual artists who:
- Are Ukrainian artists affected by displacement in 2022 due to war, and living in the participant countries: Italy, Poland or Portugal.
- Speak English on a communicative level
- Are avaliable for travel and participation in local events during the project
To be considered, please submit:
- Your artistic portfolio – includes showcasing at least 5 recent works of exclusive authorship and an idea for a project you would like to pursue during the program,
- A short CV highlighting relevant exhibitions and projects,
- A brief artist statement (max. 300 words) detailing your artistic vision and experience.
- Creation of artistic objects using environmentally friendly materials is an asset but not necessary.
The language which we will work in is English.
Registration is open, please fill in the form if you want to apply. We will contact the selected individuals to invite them for an interview up to two weeks after the closing date.
BENEFITS
As a selected artist you will benefit from:
Participation in international exhibitions
Presenting your work at exhibitions in Poland, Portugal and Italy, showcasing your unique artistic voice and heritage.
Personal healing
Engage in a transformative creative process that allows you to explore personal experiences related to war and migration, using art as a tool for emotional expression and healing.
Social impact
Share your artistic narrative to foster dialogue about displacement, culture and social change, promoting greater understanding and empathy about the situation of Ukrainians in European communities.
Fully funded
Travel, accommodation and coverage for project-related expenses, that will allow you to get to know Europe better.
The cost of exhibit materials will be agreed individually with the artists based on their projects.
Digital exposure
Your artwork will also be showcased on a dedicated digital platform, reaching audiences across the EU and beyond.
Networking opportunities
Collaboration with artists, curators and cultural leaders from across Europe.
Mentoring
Access to mentoring and guidance from experienced cultural professionals.
Professional development
Engage in comprehensive training including entrepreneurship, event management and art digitization, preparing you for long-term success in the European art market.
Psychological support
During the training we will provide a safe environment with the assistance of professional psychotherapists and the possibility of consultations, so that artists can safely talk and work on their emotions.
Work on Ukrainian culture:
Contribute to the preservation and global promotion of Ukrainian heritage by sharing your culture, stories, and identity through collaborative exhibitions and workshops.
Join Us in Making a Difference Through Art!
This is more than an exhibition — it’s a movement for unity, cultural dialogue, and empowerment. Take advantage of professional training that will open the European art market to you and help us bring art to the forefront of social change!
The project is coordinated by the Varsztatovnia Foundation in partnership with esteemed cultural institutions from Greece (INSTITUTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT), Portugal (BIBLIOTECA LÚCIO CRAVEIRO DA SILVA) and Italy (MIMMA DREAMS APS) and is co-funded by the Creative Europe program.
