S+T+ARTS4Water Open Call

Water is Life! All living things need water to survive. Not only does the human body consist of 60 percent water, but this resource is also essential for the production of food, clothing and computers, and for moving our waste stream and keeping the environment and us healthy. And yet, the way in which we approach this resource is not sustainable... For example, leaking sewers, industrial waste and reckless water consumption have a tremendous impact on local water maintenance. At the same time, the oceans and Europe’s waters are suffering wide-scale damage due to our water use, and specifically, to overfishing, the overexploitation of groundwater resources, tourist inflows, intensive agriculture and water demanding industries.

These global challenges require systemic change and the setting into motion of the most profound creative process our generation has known. What is needed in a cross-sectoral approach that can rectify in a holistic manner, our relationship with the natural world, including with the world’s seas and oceans. Further, we must address social attitudes in order to systematically transform the way in which water is valued across business practices, policies, cultural beliefs and behaviour. Through this open call we want to kick-start a series of collaborative processes between artists, researchers and communities that generate projects to raise awareness and/or offer concrete solutions for regional water challenges in Europe.

We believe that artists are crucial in creating the right conditions for bringing out the best in people: imagination, wonder, culture, awareness, disruptive ideas, knowledge and opportunities. The aim of the residencies is for YOU to engage the creative ecosystems of local companies, research institutions and communities in a collaborative process of art and innovation. This process can lead to tangible artworks that develop knowledge and raise awareness of water challenges, or to digital applications & processes that contribute to the local development of sustainable water use and management.

About the call