Oulu August Festivals' seeks for accessible art

Oulu August Festivals is looking for accessible art for its program in August 2025.

Oulu August Festivals highlights artists and art organizations from Oulu and the northern region in its program. Artists can apply for the 2025 program until 2 February 2025.

In previous years, there have been tightrope dancing, aerial acrobatics, media art, theatre, opera, immersive multidisciplinary works, urban adventures, and a folk music and dance event. For the 2025 programme, a production is sought that places special emphasis on the accessibility of art.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE 2025 OPEN CALL

• All artistic disciplines are welcome to apply.
• The applicant is a professional artist or group from Oulu, the northern region, or with roots in the north.
• The production will be carried out during Oulu August Festivals in August 2025 in Oulu or the Oulu region. The content complements the rest of the Oulu August Festivals' program without competing with it.
• The application will be evaluated based on the artistic quality, appeal, relevance, freshness, and connection to the northern region of the production.
• The production can consist of either a one-time performance or a longer-term project (e.g. exhibition).
• New production: The piece/event/exhibition will be presented for the first time at Oulu August Festivals. Afterward, it can be presented elsewhere.
• The production has a feasible plan for overall funding. A letter of intent may be issued for the production if completion of the work is contingent on later confirmed funding.
• In the production, various aspects of accessibility should be taken into account. More information on accessible culture can be found at Culture for All website. 

One production will be selected. The responsibility of executing the production lies entirely with the artist/team. Oulu August Festivals supports the production with a maximum of 3000 euros. If there is an admission fee, tickets can be sold through Oulu August Festivals. Ticket revenue, after service fees, will go entirely to the creator/group.

The artist/team commits to give special attention to accessibility in the production, from one or more perspectives. We welcome creative solutions to reach new audiences and make art accessible despite various barriers. It is possible to receive support for accessibility-related issues during the production phase from the Oulu Cultural Events Association's Saavuta Project. We encourage all kinds of applications from artists and artist groups of diverse backgrounds.

The production will become part of Oulu August Festivals' joint marketing, which is carried out by a team of professionals and include diverse campaigns across various channels. Additionally, depending on the nature of the production, there may be an opportunity to present the production at the Northern Cultural Stream website and social media, and/or create a recording of the production. Visibility on the Northern Cultural Stream will be agreed upon separately. The artist/team also commits to sharing their working process, particularly from an accessibility perspective, in a webinar or seminar organized by the Saavuta Project (more information about the Saavuta project at the Oulu Cultural Events Association's website).

Oulu August Festivals has the EcoCompass Certificate and follows those principles in all of its operations. Oulu August Festivals is also a discrimination-free festival that adheres to the principles of creating a safer space. We expect these aspects to be taken into account in events included in the Oulu August Festivals' programme.

Use this link to submit the application via Google Forms. A project plan and budget need to be added in the application. The form will be open until 2 February, 2025 at 23:59. The board of the Oulu Cultural Events Association will select the production, and the applicant will be notified personally of the selection by the end of February 2025.

The open call is carried out in collaboration with the Oulu Cultural Events Association's Saavuta – Equal Access to Cultural Events for All Project. The project is funded by the North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre through the European Social Fund, as well as by the municipalities participating in the project: Oulu, Ii, Kuusamo, and Raahe. The project is part of the Oulu Cultural Events Association's Oulu2026 Delta Life Project.

More information: Producer Laura Siitonen, laura(at)oulunjuhlaviikot.fi, p. +358 41 3135341.