OPEN CALL | River and Land Art Plein Air 2026 (Kaunas, Litva)
CreArt Kaunas and Kaunas Artists’ House announce an open call for artists working with land art and environmental art.
📅 Residency dates: May 10–24, 2026
🛑 Application deadline: February 25, 2026
Complete information and the application form can be found HERE.
International artist residency and land art installation in public space along the Nemunas River
CreArt Kaunas and Kaunas Artists’ House announce an open call for artists working with land art and environmental art.
Selected artists will be invited to create temporary installations in public spaces along the Nemunas River in Kaunas. The resulting works will be presented during the Let’s Celebrate the River! community festival in May 2026.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
River and Land Art Plein Air is a small-scale international residency focused on the creation of land art and environmental works in public spaces. It takes place as the opening part of the Let’s Celebrate the River! festival – a community cultural initiative that emerged during the year when Kaunas was the European Capital of Culture 2022.
The aim of the project is to reconnect the city's residents with the rivers that flow through it and to open up the riverbanks for artistic interventions, encounters, and sharing. The resulting works respond to the natural, cultural, and historical context of the place and become part of the festival program.
BASIC INFORMATION
- Location: Kaunas, Lithuania (bank of the Nemunas River)
- Residency dates: May 10–24, 2026
- Public presentation of works: May 23, 2026
- Number of selected artists: 2
- Application deadline: February 25, 2026
- Announcement of results: March 3, 2026
- Fee: €900
- Travel expenses: up to €400
- Materials: up to €400
WHAT SHOULD THE WORK LOOK LIKE?
- Land art / environmental work created in a public space
- Use of natural and biodegradable materials
- Respect for the local landscape, biodiversity, and public space
- No interference with living trees
- The work must be safe and weather-resistant
The theme of the work does not have to be directly related to the river, but a connection to the festival's themes is recommended:
- myths and mythical creatures (main theme for 2026)
- water
- nature in the city / city in nature
- sustainability
- community
WHO CAN APPLY?
The call is open to artists from cities participating in the CreArt 3.0 network. Artists born or working long-term in the following cities are eligible to apply:
- České Budějovice (CZ), Kaunas (LT), Liepāja (LV), Skopje (MK), Aveiro (PT), Valladolid (ES), Venice (IT), Clermont-Ferrand (FR), Rouen (FR), Lublin (PL), Oulu (FI), Regensburg (DE), members of HDLU (Croatia), and Ukrainian artists in collaboration with Dialog (Lviv).
THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS:
- A fee of €900 (including taxes)
- Reimbursement of travel expenses up to €400
- Accommodation in Kaunas (up to 14 nights)
- Budget for materials up to €400
- Technical support, equipment, and assistance from volunteers
- Promotion through CreArt channels and partners
- Professional photo and video documentation
RESIDENCY SCHEDULE
- May 10–24, 2026 – creation of the work on site
- May 23, 2026 – public presentation during the festival (personal presentation of the work, max. 4 hours)
- After the festival, the work may be dismantled or left to decay naturally and interact with nature (max. 12 months).
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted online via the CreArt platform and must include:
- A brief CV and portfolio
- A description of the proposed work (max. 2 A4 pages)
- A list of materials and technical requirements
- A copy of your ID card or passport
- Application deadline: February 25, 2026
Contact
Romena📧 sveskime.upe@gmail.com
📞 +370 610 32 490
