EMBracing the Ocean Artist-in-Residence Programme 2026

🖌️ About the Programme

The European Marine Board EMBracing the Ocean Artist-in-Residence Programme aims to:

• Raise societal awareness of and embrace connection to the Ocean.
• Inspire positive behavior towards sustainability.
• Contribute new insight and/or perspectives to science.

🎁 Benefits

• Two awardees will be selected for the 2026–2027 programme.
• Each awardee will receive a grant of €10,000.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to creative individuals/groups from a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Both emerging and established artists will be considered. Prior experience in co-creation with scientists and/or communities and working on Ocean/sustainability topics is desirable.

Eligible Artistic Disciplines:

• Visual arts (e.g. drawing, painting, filmmaking, photography, sculpting, digital arts, installation art).
• Literary arts (e.g. fiction, drama, poetry, storytelling).
• Performing arts (e.g. dance, music, theatre).
• Traditional and indigenous arts.

Applications are welcome from across the world.

📅 Application Date and Process

Deadline:

16 February 2026 (midnight Central European Time).

Submission Requirements:

Applications must include one PDF file (max. 4 MB) containing:

1. Project Summary Pitch (max. 150 words):
   • Objectives, topic, and output(s).
   • Co-creation approach and reciprocal influence between artistic and scientific work.
   • Expected impact on societal awareness of and connection to the Ocean.
   • Target audience and how they will be reached.
   • Longevity of impact after the residency.
2. Project Description (max. 500 words):
   • Objectives, topic(s) of interest, activities, output(s).
   • Co-creation approach and reciprocal influence between artistic and scientific work.
   • Scientist(s) the applicant will collaborate with (name, affiliation, and link to webpage).
3. Communication and Public Engagement Plan (max. 150 words):
   • Target audiences and how they will be reached.
   • Plans to achieve impact and longevity of impact.
   • How the project will raise awareness of and embrace connection to the Ocean.
   • How the project will inspire positive behavior towards sustainability.
   • Links to cultural organizations.
4. Creative Practice to Date (max. 150 words):
   • Focus of practice.
   • Links to Ocean/sustainability topics or motivation for engaging in these topics.
   • Co-creation with scientists or communities.
   • Societal reach and impact.
5. Previous Scientific Collaborations (max. 150 words):
   • Description and nature of collaboration(s).
   • Name, affiliation, and link to webpage of previous collaborators.
   • Motivation for collaboration with scientists (if no previous experience).
6. Monthly Timeline including expected activities.
7. Budget (e.g. artist fees, materials, expenses, travel, promotional materials, campaigns).
8. Letter of Agreement from scientific collaborator(s) confirming their engagement in the project.
9. Artist(s) Curriculum Vitae.

Optional Submission:

Applicants may submit their portfolio with examples of previous work (1 PDF/MP3/wav/rar/zip upload, max. 5 MB). High-resolution files are not required; smaller resolutions are preferred to reduce the digital carbon footprint.

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the programme: European Marine Board EMBracing the Ocean Artist-in-Residence Programme.
• Apply directly: Application Form.

📧 Contact Information

For technical issues, email: info@marineboard.eu

📌 Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 16 February 2026

This opportunity is a fantastic chance for creative individuals to contribute to Ocean sustainability and awareness through artistic collaboration! 🌊

• Two awardees will be selected for the 2026 – 2027 programme.
• Each awardee will be awarded a grant of €10,000.