Live Art Finland Showcase – Open Call for Artists

For the first time, the two leading live art and performance art festivals in Finland are collaborating and combining their extensive international networks. The festivals are inviting a group of prominent curators of live art and performance from around the world to Finland to explore works that have the potential for international touring.

Open Call for Artists

We are currently seeking six solo performance art works or demo performances for the Live Art Finland Showcase programme from artists based in Finland who are at various stages of their careers.

The Showcase will be held as part of the New Performance Turku Biennale on September 10–12, 2027, and during the ANTI Festival on September 13–15, 2027.

The following criteria will be emphasised in the selection of works:

• solo works
• artistic relevance in the fields of live art and performance art
• international potential
• suitability for presentation at international festivals;
• linguistic accessibility
• works that are technically and structurally easy to transport and can be adapted to various performance spaces or venues

The Showcase programme may support new works currently in development and present demos of these works but it will primarily feature completed solo works. The selection will be made by the artistic director of the ANTI Festival, Elisa Itkonen, and the artistic director of the New Performance Turku Biennale, Leena Kela.

What are we expecting?

• 4 presentations of the performance (2 in Turku, 2 in Kuopio)
• Participation in one-on-one and group meetings with the visiting curators
• Commitment to the process and to the potential development of the work through dialogue within the context of the project

What do we offer?

• Inclusion in the programmes of two international festivals
• Opportunities for dialogue with 10–20 international curators
• Artist fee: 1,600 euros
• Travel expenses for one person (train tickets in Finland, accommodation, and per diem in Turku and Kuopio)
• 1,000 euros for production (materials, technology, purchased services etc.)
• Venue suitable for the performance (to be negotiated separately)
• Photography and video documentation of one presentation in both cities

Call for Applications for Organisations in Turku and Kuopio

In addition to the open call for solo artists, we offer live art and performance companies and collectives based in Turku and Kuopio the opportunity to participate in the Live Art Finland Showcase at their own expense. In this case, we offer:

• A performance slot in the programme of one international festival (excluding the resources listed above, which are included in the main open call)
• Opportunities for dialogue with 10–20 international curators

Organisations may submit proposals using the same form (below) as other applicants.

Submit application

We accept applications only through this online form.

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we will close the application period as soon as suitable works are found. We will review applications primarily in June, August, and October 2026, and interviews will be conducted with shortlisted candidates prior to the final selection. All applicants will be notified of the results by December 2026 at the latest.