ARToulu art area – open call for artists

The Oulu Artist Association -63 ry. is organising a national open call for performative artwork which can be performances, or other interventions in urban spaces. The artwork should take place in public spaces where the audience, such as local residents, or passersby, will be able to encounter the art coincidentally. From this call a maximum of 10 artworks will be chosen. The open call will be curated by artist Nestori Syrjälä.

The deadline for this call is October 13th, 2025.

This call is intended for professionals working in visual and performance art, in Finland. These ephemeral artworks will complete the selection of art for the ARToulu art area. More information and instruction for the open call:

What is the ARToulu art area?

The art-area is made up of existing neighbourhoods in Oulu. Art is brought to city blocks, residential neighbourhoods, nature, local environments, and in the midst of people as part of a living city culture. The idea of this project is for art to surprise people in unexpected places.

The art area is composed of seven city neighbourhoods along the Oulujoki estuary. The neighbourhoods are: Oulu Centre, Pikisaari, Hietasaari, Toppilansaari, Toppilansalmi, Meri-Toppila ja Tuira. The neighbourhoods represent the diversity of Oulu: layers of history, scales of social economics and changes in the environment due to construction.

Orientation map of the area: kartta.ouka.fi/IMS/?mid=dsrba

What kinds of artworks is the Art Area looking for?

The goal of the art-area is to challenge the traditional concept of public art – the kinds of artwork we are accustomed to seeing and experiencing. Through this open call we are looking for performative artworks or interventions to take place in urban spaces.

The artwork will be situated in public spaces where the audience, such as local residents or passers by, can take part in the art spontaneously. The artist goes to the audience, and the artwork does not require a separate performance space; the audience will not be invited. If the artwork requires the participation of other individuals, the artist will be responsible for their invitations. Otherwise, the theme, method of production, the number of, or the length of performances, or the exact location within the ARToulu art-area, are not predetermined. The artwork can also be made in one or several art-area neighbourhoods.

The artwork must be realised during the year 2026. A time schedule will be negotiated with the artist. The goal is that the artwork chosen for this programme will be seen and experienced in the different art-area neighbourhoods, occurring at different times and throughout all seasons.

Who can apply?

This call is for professionals working in visual and performing arts, in Finland. Professionality is judged by the quality of the artist’s application including their attached CV and portfolio.

Number of artworks and project budget

The artists chosen for this project will receive 2 000 € for the realisation of their piece, which is inclusive of production costs. A maximum total of 20 000 € will be used for the whole production, which is the equivalent of 10 artists. The final amount of chosen artwork will depend on the applications.

The artist fee can be paid to the artists upon reception of either an invoice or as work compensation via their Finnish tax card. In the case of artworks made by more than one person, the artist fee will be divided between the members of that collective/group.

When an artist provides an invoice, they should have a business number (y-tunnus). The invoice of 2000 € includes VAT, where applicable, in addition to any other possible costs including the artist fee, travel fees and material.
The artist fee is paid as work compensation if the artist does not have a business number (y-tunnus). The 2000€ fee will include all other related costs such as the artist fee, travel fees and material expenses.

The artist fee will be paid as one sum, when the service has been completed as agreed upon. Artist fees will not be transferred to a third party.

What should be included in the application?

We will accept a maximum of two proposals / artist or artist group. Each proposal must be made in a separate application, one for each proposal.

The application must include:

contact information: name, telephone number, email address, postal address
project proposal
abbreviated CV (maximum 2 pages)
portfolio (maximum 5 pages)

The portfolio should present recent work by the artist.

Describe your artwork:

Communicate and describe the proposal concept in a way that can be easily understood by others:
At this stage, the proposal does not need to be overly detailed – it is most important that the main idea about the artwork comes across. Your application should describe the idea, the means of production and the location of presentation along with the duration and number of presentations intended.
Please mention if the artwork has been previously presented, in part or in whole. (when and where).

Selection criteria for the artwork

The artwork will be curated based on the proposal. In addition to the artistic content, the jury will also consider the means of production, and suitability to the art area in relation to the other artwork. Artwork or variations of a previously shown in Oulu will not be accepted into the programme.

Deadlines and selection process

The application deadline is October 13th, 2025, at 4pm. The curated selection will be made as soon as possible, before the end of the year 2025. The programme will be curated by Nestori Syrjälä. Nestori Syrjälä is a multidisciplinary artist known for his participatory performances in urban spaces. Syrjälä’s artwork ”Running Man” won the Kiasma award for public art in 2016.

Additions to the programme may be made in 2026 depending on the capacity of the budget.

How do I apply?

Please send your application as one, compiled pdf file before October 13th, 2025 at 4pm, to: [email protected]. The application should include a project proposal, a portfolio and a CV. We will review a maximum of two project proposals /artist or artist group. Please make a different file for each project.

The application should be sent by email. Applications will not be accepted through other means. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Please read the application instructions carefully and send in your application on time, well before the deadline. The application can be made out in either Finnish or English. The application must include all necessary information for the realisation of your artwork. The curator will not review the webpages, social media channels or other links, so please do not include your CV or portfolio as a link. Only links that are an integral part of your application or links to a video recording of a previous relevant performance will be reviewed.

Application format requirements and instructions for submission:

Name your application file with your own name.
Check that your application includes all required information. Additional information cannot be added to your application, after it has been sent.
Send the application in one pdf file, as an email attachment. The attachment must not exceed 4 MB. Any information added in the message section of the email, or emails with additional attachments will not be regarded by the selection committee.
Send the application to: [email protected]
Write your own name as the “Subject”. You will receive an automatic response confirming that your application has been delivered.

Suggestions: Pdf files can be merged together using this site: www.sodapdf.com/pdf-merge
The size of your Pdf files can be changed here: smallpdf.com/compress-pdf

What is expected of the artist?

If their project is chosen as part of this programme, the artist is bound to realise their project as planned. However, the plan can still be embellished after the final selection. The art committee will sign a written agreement with the artist, and the artist will realise their work independently.

What happens to the art area after 2026?

Some of the artwork in the ARToulu – art area will be permanently installed and the art area will continue to evolve for years after the Capital of Culture year. Ephemeral artworks will not be preserved, and should not leave any trace on the environment after their expiration.

Producers

The ARToulu art area project is produced by the Oulu Artists Association the Oulun Taiteilijaseura -63 ry, which serves the professional visual artists of the Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu regions.

Oulu is the 2026 European Capital of Culture. The art area is made possible through the Exploring ART project which is part of the Oulu2026 Cultural and Cultural Climate Change programmes. It is funded by the Oulu Culture Foundation. More information: oulu2026.eu

The Ministry of Education and Culture granted this project an exceptional subsidy. In collaboration with The City of Oulu, The Oulu Art Museum, and the Arts Promotion Centre.

More information

The open call will not provide any further information regarding the applications for individual applicants. Other inquiries can be made through the email address: [email protected].

Please acquaint yourself with the ARToulu- art area and the open call instructions on our website before sending in your application.

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