Open Call for Artists: Art, Health & Well-being
Open to artists active in Romania whose practices explore the connections between art, health, and well-being
Art and culture can play a significant role in improving our physical and mental health by stimulating reflection and action. The World Health Organization (WHO) report (2019) and the CultureForHealth report (2022) highlight the positive impact of cultural activities in preventing certain diseases, complementing medical treatments, and inspiring healthier, more creative lifestyles. Artistic practices can help raise awareness of specific conditions, reimagine healthy living, foster social connections, and improve our ability to engage and be part of a community.
This call is open to individual artists or collectives of artists and/or other professionals (such as public health specialists, psychologists, social workers, educational facilitators) from Romania who propose collaborative artistic processes focused on health and well-being.
Proposed projects may include (but are not limited to):
- Participatory art activities for people dealing with physical or mental health issues
- Artistic activities that contribute to well-being, promote healthy behavior, or help prevent illness
- Artistic practices in medical or social settings that aim to improve the well-being of staff and/or patients
- Artistic productions (e.g., performances, installations, exhibitions) that enhance the quality of healthcare environments or address health-related topics
- Artistic residencies in healthcare or social care settings
- Artistic research based on participatory and practical experiences
The purpose of this call is to encourage artists who are interested in developing a practice in this direction, as well as those who already work in this field and want to consolidate and expand their impact. The goal is to bring such practices to communities, hospitals, social care centers, nursing homes, or other underserved environments, addressing specific health and well-being needs.
Projects may be new or previously tested initiatives in visual arts, performing arts, music, dance, circus, or any other artistic disciplines aimed at enhancing participants’ well-being.
Project Categories:
Category I: Artistic projects developed and implemented in partnership with an institution or organization in health, education, or care, with the target group being the community served by that partner. Maximum support per selected initiative: €6,000 gross.
Category II: Projects implemented in communities, cultural, educational, healthcare, or social service spaces, professional environments, or other contexts, aiming to initiate or develop artistic practices for well-being or health. Maximum support per selected initiative: €2,000 gross.
A total of 6 projects will be selected: 3 in Category I and 3 in Category II.
Timeline:
This call adopts the WHO’s definition of health: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (WHO Constitution, p.1)
If you are interested in finding out more about the project, join the online Q&A session
Eligibility Criteria – Projects:
- Must propose artistic interventions relevant to health and/or well-being aligned with the goals of this Open Call; can be new or previously implemented
- Should actively engage participants in the artistic/creative process and be rooted in an understanding of their conditions and context
- Must aim for a concrete, documentable impact on the health/well-being of the beneficiaries
- Should offer both artistic quality and meaningful experiences for beneficiaries
- Must be carried out within Romania
- Must be feasible within the implementation period (May 1 – Dec 31, 2025) and the indicated budget
- Must be ethically grounded and mindful of the well-being of both artists and participants
- Must be fully implementable by the applicant and their partners; no logistical or implementation support will be provided by the organizer
Note: Research shows participatory projects with at least eight sessions ensure greater impact. You can consult the CultureForHealth database for over 800 relevant examples.
Special Condition for Category I:
Applicants must include a collaboration agreement with a health, education, or care institution/organization, signed by both parties, covering the entire project period. Projects where the partner contributes to the design, implementation, and evaluation of activities, and where long-term collaboration is possible, will be prioritized.
Eligibility Criteria – Applicants:
- Identify as emerging artists in the field of culture and health, as defined by the Culture and Health platform:
- Professional artists beginning to develop work across the fields of culture, health, care, and social sectors
- Artists with relevant training or experience at the intersection of these fields
- Artists with at least 3 years of professional artistic practice (assessed by the quality of work, not necessarily its duration)
- Artists transitioning into the culture and health sector from another artistic discipline
- Must have at least 3 years of documented artistic experience (via a portfolio)
- Must be of Romanian nationality or reside in Romania
- Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Must be willing to take full responsibility for the creative process, including communication and dissemination
- Must stay in close contact with the organizers throughout the project’s implementation
Recommendations for artists:
- Attend the information/training sessions organized by the Cluj Cultural Centre (estimated: June 2025), which will cover essential aspects such as understanding participants’ responses, safety for vulnerable groups, co-design methods, and evaluation
- Be open to working and communicating in English, especially with professionals and artists from other countries
- Be flexible, open to learning and innovative experiences
- Communicate empathetically, guide participants while also allowing space for their involvement
Budget:
The total budget for this call is €24,000.
Six projects will be selected: 3 projects (up to €6,000 gross each) and 3 projects (up to €2,000 gross each).
The budget must cover all project costs, including: Artists’ net fees; Implementation expenses; Withholding taxes; Any travel/accommodation if needed
The budget cannot be increased, and applicants are responsible for covering any additional costs from other sources.
The organizer reserves the right not to award the full amounts or the maximum number of projects.
Before submitting your application, please read the Open Call Guidelines and Personal Data Processing Policy.
Fill out the online form until april 1, 23:59 EET.
From 2025 to 2028, the Cluj Cultural Centre and its project partners will launch several initiatives to support artists. However, each artist may benefit from financial support only once within this project.
For questions about this call, contact Claudia Cacovean at claudia@cccluj.ro
This open call is organized by the Cluj Cultural Centre as part of the CultureAndHealth Platform, a four-year initiative supporting over 200 emerging European artists working at the intersection of culture, health, care, and education. The initiative offers financial support, mobility opportunities, and networking, aiming to highlight the essential role of culture in promoting health, well-being, and social innovation across Europe.
The consortium of the project is formed by Culture Action Europe and has as its members Centrul Cultural Clujean (organiser of the call), European Regional and Local Health Authorities EUREGHA, Arts for Health Austria, Pôle Culture & Santé en Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Stockholm Region, Competence Centre for Culture and Health, Cavan County Council Arts Office, HumaQ / Healing Culture Network, Stichting Kunstloc Brabant, Asociacija Drustvo Nevladnih Organization In Posameznikov Na Podrocju Kulture, Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture Secretariat NDPC, RED NOSES International, Associazione Culturale Oltre, ARC Research & Consultancy, Urban Culture Institute – City of Weaves, Taikusydän – Arts & Health Coordination Centre in Finland & Turku University of Applied Sciences.
Funded by the European Union. The views expressed belong solely to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the EU nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.