S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION invites artists from all disciplines to apply for an interdisciplinary residency programme focused on the future of water in Europe. At a time when water scarcity, pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are reshaping societies and ecosystems, AQUA MOTION supports artistic experimentation that engages with these challenges through collaboration with scientists, technologists, local communities, and water experts.
This Call for Artists seeks 25 artists to participate in a 9-month Residency, followed by a 4-month Scale-Up programme, hosted across four European regions: Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, and Austria. Residents are expected to spend a minimum of 5 weeks at the site and region of the residency host / co-hosting partners.
Artists must produce a tangible, presentable, art-driven innovative artistic outputs addressing specific regional water management challenges. Artists are also expected to participate at the in-person Residency Kick-off Meeting in Azores, Portugal (1–2 October 2025) and two local events/showcases/exhibitions, one pop-out event in Belgium (these events will be discussed, agreed and co-organised with the Residency Host Institutions)
The programme offers the following:
- 40,000 EUR budget per artist residency, covering artist fees, costs associated with participation in exhibitions and public events, and other relevant expenses necessary for the successful implementation of the residency (including production of artworks or prototypes).
- Access to specialised resources, technological infrastructure, and facilities provided by the residency host institutions.
- Participation in an individualised Mentoring Programme.
- Expert guidance and support within the interdisciplinary 5-Helix structure, enabling artists to collaborate closely with business, academia, government, environment, and civil society representatives.
- Access to the extensive Europe-wide S+T+ARTS network, including participation in community-building events, workshops, and networking opportunities (both online and in-person).
- Opportunities to present artistic outcomes at prominent international exhibitions and events, including potential participation at a conference at the Ars Electronica Festival, Venice Biennale, Brussels-based pop-up events, and other high-visibility events.
- Visibility through high impact communication activities to promote the artistic output and its innovation spillovers.
