Global Call for Participation 2027 · Arts & Bureaucracy
Open new perspectives on bureaucracy
How does art help us see public institutions and space differently? Share work that challenges assumptions and sparks dialogue.
Arts & Bureaucracy
How do we experience bureaucracy? What does it reveal about power, belonging and our relationship with the state?
We welcome artistic work that explores public institutions and brings these questions into view. Through visual art, performance, film, literature, installations or participatory practices, your work can invite reflection, challenge assumptions or start a conversation.
Selected contributions will become part of the Creative Bureaucracy Festival on 3 June 2027 in Berlin.
Frequently Asked Questions
An artistic work or developed concept that engages with bureaucracy, public institutions, democracy or people’s experiences of the state.
We welcome contributions across artistic disciplines, including collaborations with public institutions and participatory work. Your contribution can question, provoke or reveal without needing to propose a practical solution.
Artists, collectives, cultural organisations and other creative practitioners can apply.
Your work must serve the public good and have a meaningful connection to the category’s themes. Collaboration with a public-sector partner is encouraged but not required.
Existing works, adaptations and developed concepts are welcome.
If your work is unfinished, include supporting material and a realistic plan for completion. Your submission should provide enough detail to understand the artistic approach and how the work could be presented.
- Creative Bureaucracy Factor: A fresh perspective that encourages imagination, reflection or dialogue.
- Relevance and Contribution: A meaningful connection to public administration, democracy or lived experiences of the state.
- Artistic Expression and Engagement: A distinctive concept, thoughtful use of medium and consideration of audiences and those represented.
- Festival Presentation: A clear and feasible proposal for how the work could be experienced at the festival.
Submit your entry through our application platform by 11 December 2026. You may submit up to two proposals across the call, in English or German.
Describe your artistic concept and presentation needs, and provide supporting material as requested in the form. Keep your answers clear and specific; bullet points are welcome.
Our team will review all entries and prepare a shortlist by the end of January 2027. An international jury will then select two artistic projects: one from the DACH region and one from other countries.
The results will be announced in early March 2027. Final selection also considers the programme’s balance across regions, topics and levels of government.
We will work with you to agree how your contribution will be presented. Please be ready to discuss space, equipment, installation, staffing and any audience participation requirements.
For unfinished work or adaptations, we will also agree a preparation timeline and delivery deadlines.
Our programme team will coordinate the presentation with you. Technical support, production needs and any available financial contribution must be agreed individually. Please identify essential requirements and expected costs in your submission.
For questions, contact programme@creativebureaucracy.org.
For questions about your submission, write to us at programme@creativebureaucracy.org.
How else can you get involved?
- Know a project worth sharing? Pass on our Global Call for Participation to the people behind it and encourage them to apply.
- Interested in becoming a partner? Join us for the Creative Bureaucracy Festival on 2–3 June 2027 in Berlin. Contact partnerships@creativebureaucracy.org to explore partnership options with our festival director.
- Bringing a group or planning a side event? We welcome ideas for bringing changemakers together during the festival week. Get in touch with our programme team at programme@creativebureaucracy.org.
