Culture Moves Europe: International, diverse, and here to stay

The largest EU cultural mobility scheme is about to re-open two calls. After its launch; only eight months ago, Culture Moves Europe has already supported more than 1,800 grantees and enabled more than 35,000 days of cultural and artistic project implementation between Creative Europe countries.

During the first Call for Individual Mobility, more than 4,500 artists and cultural professionals have applied for support from the most recent and significant initiative of the European Union for the artistic sector.  

Choosing one of the core Culture Moves Europe objectives (to explore, to create, to learn, and to connect), more than 1,800 grantees have been selected to implement their projects in the 40 participating countries.  
 
But who are Culture Moves Europe’s grantees?  

The grantees are artists and cultural professionals active in at least one of the following sectors: architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts. The grantees are also residents of Creative Europe countries, such entails the 27 EU member states as well as 13 neighbouring countries such as Armenia, Iceland, Tunisia, and Ukraine; nonetheless, we count 71 different nationalities among them, making this project a prime example of international artistic cooperation, promoting learning and exchange across borders.  
 
An example of this is the Danish musical group Efterklang, who travelled to North Macedonia to meet local musicians and dancers and co-create a collaborative concert that took place at the Makedominum Freedom Monument.  The band describes it as: “Much more than a concert, it was a happening, a magical gathering, and a beautiful statement of collaborative creativity.” 
 
Another expression is the Portuguese artist Susana André, who travelled 2,082 km by train to reach her international partner, the Carnica Institute, organiser of the BIEN Textile Art Biennial in Slovenia. The idea was to be inspired by the journey that connected her place of residence with the destination. Susana describes the train journey as a unique source of inspiration; the landscape and the sun became essential elements of Susana’s work. 

Susana André belongs to the 52% of grantees who requested a top-up to support their mobility. Provided upon request, the Culture Moves Europe top-ups are a distinguishable feature of the project and consist of extra financial support for people who: decide not to travel by airplane (opt for green mobility); reside in or travel to the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories or Outermost Regions; have children under the age of 10; need a visa; or live with a disability. The top-ups are a measure to ensure fairer access to artistic mobility for people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances. 

For now, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, architecture, and literature, represent merely 19% of the overall share of selected applications; while performing arts, visual arts and music represent the majority of projects. As Culture Moves Europe is keen on supporting these underrepresented sectors, applications covering these sectors as well as from Northern and Eastern Europe, or countries like Armenia, Georgia, and Tunisia, are particularly encouraged. The aim is to ensure an even greater and more diverse international exchange. 

New calls opening in October
 
After two successful calls, Culture Moves Europe will soon re-open new opportunities in both the Individual Mobility and the Residency Action. Opening on 2nd October, the Call for Individual Mobility aims at artists and cultural professionals (from different age groups and with all levels of experience) who wish to develop an international project in another Creative Europe country. The Call for Residency Hosts, opening on 16th October, targets legal entities (e.g., non-profit organisations, NGOs, public bodies, foundations, companies, and self-employed persons) who wish to implement a residency project for international artists and professionals.  
 

Call for Individual Mobility: 2 October 2023 

Call for Residency Hosts: 16 October 2023 

More information: ec.europa.eu/culture-moves-europe | linktr.ee/culturemoveseurope 

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