Open Call for Artists

Open Call for Artists
How can a theater’s café become a cultural oasis?
This autumn, Bethlen Square Theater launches its first OASis residency in Budapest’s diverse 7th district. We’re turning a foyer into a vibrant meeting point – and we need your ideas to shape it. Apply and co-create the unexpected.
About the project
OASis (Open Art Spaces in Synergy) is a three-year (2024–2027) European project aimed at making art more accessible by establishing a network of open and interdisciplinary creative spaces across 10 countries. Co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, the project is implemented by a unique consortium comprising 14 diverse institutions, including NGOs, cultural organizations, municipalities, and a university.
The goal of OASis is to create a positive impact both on artists seeking to turn their talent into a profession and on local communities that often feel disconnected from the art sector. The project seeks to achieve this by establishing open art spaces and organizing programs that break down barriers to access and encourage artistic participation.
About Bethlen Square Theater
The theater is located in the former „Chicago” area of Budapest, which used to be a very vivid, cultural area, however it has become very much a sleeping part of the district.
The mission of Bethlen is to serve as a multidisciplinary, experimenting, talent-nurturing center for the contemporary performing arts where performers from the region can realize their ideas and develop professionally in a supportive environment. The Theater takes part in various local and international programs and initiatives such as DemArt, LIFE European Bauhausing and Performing Landscapes – representing values of community-based development – the same ones that are shared by OASis project.
Challenge: Reimagine our Café as a Cultural Gateway
Bethlen Square Theater is located in a nearly 100-year-old building, nestled in a diverse neighborhood with residents living directly above and beside it, and many international students and expats nearby. In the coming months, our audience area will undergo transformation: a new café will be installed in the foyer, and a transparent portal will open toward the street. But this is just the beginning.
We don’t just want a café – we want a cultural oasis.
We invite you to join a widely interdisciplinary team of artists and community builders and help us reimagine this café space as a social and intellectual hub that reflects the spirit of co-creation, hospitality, and urban connection. How can this café become a visible, inclusive, and vibrant meeting point for local and international visitors alike?
We’re looking for proposals that:
- Turn spatial limitations into creative tools
- Use visual/interactive elements to invite the neighborhood in
- Boost community visibility through storytelling or signage
- Explore hospitality and „third space” concepts
Interventions may be architectural, visual, performative, or social.
We are intending to involve 8 artists (5 international and 3 locals – based in Hungary) in responding this challenge from the following fields:
- Visual arts / Functional design (painting, light art, street art, mixed media)
- Performing/visual storytelling (theater, videomaking, photo etc..)
- Music, songwriting, or creative writing
Requirements and added value for international artists:
- Fluency in English (mandatory)
- Availability for a 15 day residency between 30/11 and 14/12 2025. (mandatory)
- Experience in community-based/art education projects will be strongly valued
What we offer for international artists:
- €1300 gross artist fee
- A limited budget for travel of up to €200
- Accommodation and meals provided
What we offer for Hungarian artists:
- €1300 gross artist fee
- Meals provided
For the whole team of artists involved in the residency:
- Shared €3000 materials budget and technical support
How to apply:
Send your application to medvegyandrea@bethlenszinhaz.hu, including the following:
Application form
- Statement of intent (max 2 pages) including your motivation to participate, how you propose to work in the team and with the local community, your ideas for artistic projects (including possible materials or production needs) and your relevant skills, methods, and approaches for community-based co-creation
- Portfolio/website/social links to showcase your work and previous artistic projects
- Short bio or CV
- One crisp, high-quality picture with a face visible (for communication purposes, to introduce the participating artists on our website and social media channels, along with their bio)
Evaluation will focus on artistic merit, the feasibility and impact of the co-creation strategy, and the applicant’s ability to connect and engage with local communities.
The application phase will be open until the 31/07/2025. On July 17 at 5 p.m. (CET), we will host an online open house.
Results are expected to be announced by 15/08/2025. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a brief online interview to assess language skills, discuss their approach to co-creation with local communities and availability to join the art residency.
For more information please write to medvegyandrea@bethlenszinhaz.hu, stating your questions and concerns.
https://www.bethlenszinhaz.hu/2025/06/19/open-call-for-artists/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLGWHVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKWjRianJhQzFINUNKZnpSAR4FUS7oxfhI1bsIrdJzIvoES8p8wvZBygZiAdIosCyibT5_YvIOto9CtM6wcg_aem_c-jRrs65S7WlqEIM6pvnZw