Art has always been the language that connects people across the world to a deeper level, despite their gender, ethnicity, lifestyle etc. Each one of us could relate to the lyrics of a song, to a well written book or poem, or a movie script because art imitates life and life imitates art.

That’s why the SONDER Project has an open call for artists which gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences through your unique artistry and be one of the 10 socially engaged artists from all Europe to take part in a fully funded 5-day international art residency in Larissa, Greece (May 2026).

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
• Selected Artists Announced: 31 January 2026
• Online Info Session: 1 March 2026
• Residency in Greece: May 2026

Each Life is as Vivid and Complex as Any Other

SONDER is a CERV initiative that unites artists, communities, and active European citizens to explore their stories of identity and belonging through art. Moreover, it is centered on visibility, equality, and dialogue and it highlights the experiences of Afro-European communities and Black women, voices that are often marginalized in mainstream culture. Through residencies, workshops, and public art events, SONDER transforms lived experiences of racism and exclusion into creative expressions that challenge stereotypes and foster understanding.

Who Can Apply

Our open call for artists is about emerging and mid-career creators working in any of the following disciplines: Visual Arts, Film/Video, Photography, Creative Writing, Comics/Illustration, Music/Sound, Performance, Animation, Design.

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older and a resident of an EU Member State or a country eligible under the CERV Programme.
• Be able to communicate in English.
• Be available for the full 5-day residency in Greece.

Thematic Focus

Your artistic proposal should engage one or more of SONDER’s core themes:

• Afrophobia and structural racism in Europe
• Identity, belonging, and diaspora
• Intersectionality and everyday resistance
• Visibility of Black women’s voices
• Storytelling as activism and empathy

We encourage experimental, cross-disciplinary, and collaborative approaches that spark reflection and inspire action.

How to Apply

Submit your application in English by email to communitiesmed@gmail.com with the subject line: SONDER Residency Application – [Your Name]

Your email should include the following:

• Motivation & Artistic Proposal (max. 500 words)
  Write a combined statement describing your artistic background, motivation for joining the SONDER residency, and how your work connects with the project’s themes of identity, visibility, and inclusion. Outline the concept or idea you wish to explore during the residency, your preferred medium or approach, and how you imagine collaborating with other artists or local communities.
• Portfolio / Work Samples
  Include up to 5 images, video links, or online portfolio references that best represent your artistic practice.
• Short Bio (max. 200 words)
  Provide a concise artist biography written in the third person, summarizing your background, interests, and key achievements.
• Contact Details
  Add your full name, country of residence, email address, and phone number.

All submissions will be reviewed by an international jury of project partners. Only complete applications received before the deadline will be considered.

What We Offer

Selected artists will receive:

• Fully funded participation in a 5-day international art residency in Greece (May 2026), with all travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs covered.
• A collaborative and inclusive creative environment where 10 artists from different disciplines co-create around the themes of identity, visibility, and belonging.
• Workshops and mentoring led by experienced artists, educators, and community facilitators on visual storytelling, participatory methods, and intercultural creation.
• Access to equipped creative spaces and materials for visual, performative, and digital experimentation.
• Professional visibility and promotion through the SONDER website, exhibition, and international dissemination activities.
• Networking opportunities with cultural professionals, community organizations, and EU partners active in art, equality, and civic participation.

A great plus is that one participant will be selected for a fully funded cultural trip to Kenya, as part of SONDER’s intercultural dialogue and exchange activities.

What We Expect

• Full participation in all residency sessions, workshops, and collaborative creation activities.
• Contribution to the collective artwork or final showcase presented publicly at the end of the residency.
• Respectful engagement with peers and local communities, following SONDER’s principles of equality, empathy, and inclusion.
• Will to document your process (text, images, or short reflections) for the project’s publication and visibility.

About The SONDER

The SONDER consortium unites partners from Greece, Italy, Cyprus, and Spain which is led by the Hellenic-Kenyan Chamber (Greece), with contributions from ComMedi, CESIE ETS, A.B. IED, and ENWAD, the partnership combines expertise in art, education, and social innovation. SONDER is co-funded by the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.

Together, we will explore how art can spark empathy, give voice to underrepresented stories, and reimagine belonging across Europe.