Ausschreibung

In dialogue with cultural actors, initiatives and artist collectives, the Biennale negotiates central questions of our present: sustainability, social responsibility, new forms of living and lifestyles, and the creative use of spaces.

Artists are invited to engage with a region that must redefine itself between post-industrial influences, natural development and social transformation processes. This also brings ecological and social challenges into focus: the consequences of the climate crisis, issues of environmental and resource protection, but also war, persecution and migration as global forces that help shape local realities.

The aim of the Biennale is to make regional identities visible, to bring new cultural impulses to rural areas and to address socially relevant topics through artistic means. Local perspectives and international influences come together in exhibitions, interventions and participatory formats.

Initiators and sponsors

The initiators of the project are Maysun Kellow and Michaela van den Driesch. The Lausitz Biennale is sponsored by the Kunstverein Atelierhof Werenzhain e.V.
Maysun Kellow is responsible for project management – she has also been managing and developing the Atelierhof Werenzhain e.V. for several years. Michaela van den Driesch is the artistic director. She co-founded the Atelierhof Werenzhain in 1996 and works as a freelance art historian, artist and curator in Berlin and Lusatia.

Period: 30 July to 20 September 2026

We expressly welcome artistic positions that:

• deal with courage, solidarity and empowerment;
• deal with space as a social, symbolic or imaginary construct;
• refer to regional conditions, landscapes or people
• enable new forms of perception, participation or design
• are characterised by a willingness to experiment and openness to exchange

Invited formats:

• Painting, graphic art, photography, sculpture
• Installations and interventions
• Sound and media art, video works
• Performance
• Collective/participatory or collaborative projects
• Hybrid forms, transdisciplinary approaches

Funding:

• Participation fee
• Production cost subsidy
• Accommodation and transport costs if required
• For invitations from other European countries, we will consider covering costs on a case-by-case basis
• Technical and logistical support by individual arrangement

Who can apply?

• Individual artists and collectives from all disciplines
• International applicants are welcome

We welcome applications from artists regardless of gender, origin, language or identity. Gender equality is guaranteed in accordance with the State Equality Act.

Application & selection:

Submission period: 20 September - 15 November 2025, 11:59 p.m. (CEST)

Digital application portal: HERE

Required documents:

• Project idea (1–2 pages): Relevance to the topic or region, planned format, participation if applicable
• Portfolio (documentation of previous work, max. 10 pages)
• Short CV/collective description (with contact details, website, place of residence)

Selection criteria:

• Artistic quality and originality
• Relevance to the theme and the region
• Feasibility
• Social relevance/potential for participation

Jury:

The jury will be announced during the selection process.

Announcement of results: Early January 2026. The final judging will take place on site and is not subject to appeal.