CALL FOR PROJECTS (February 1st – March 15th, 2026)
COMMON BORDERS
A Romanian–Finnish photographic and lens-based art project
The project is based on a collaboration between LUOVAKE, the Centre for Creative Photography, Jyväskylä, Finland and [CATEDRA], the Research Center for Photography and Media Art, from “George Enescu” National University of Arts, Iași, Romania. The project is supported by ICMA, the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Art of UNAGE, and C_F_C, the Centre for Contemporary Photography in Iasi, Romania.
Project outcomes
Common Borders is a collaborative photographic and lens-based art project developed between two institutions in Romania and Finland. The project investigates the concept of the border as a shared, dynamic space, understood not as a fixed line of separation, but as a zone of negotiation, overlap, and transformation.
Focusing on notions such as borders, liminality, peripheries, intersections, and shared limits, the project approaches borders as active conditions that both separate and connect, delineate and enable encounter. Rather than reinforcing binary oppositions, Common Borders explores hybrid spaces, cultural crossovers, and areas where different systems, identities, and visual regimes intersect.
The project is conceived as a photographic and lens-based platform, open to diverse artistic approaches situated in and around photography.
About the project
The project will result in two exhibitions in 2027 (one in Aparte Gallery of UNAGE, Iasi, Romania, and one exhibition at Galeria Rattamo in Jyväskylä, Finland) and a printed publication (end of 2026), including short artist bios, and representative projects per artist, doubled by critical essays by curators from Romania and Finland.
Who can apply
This call is open to:
- Artists based in Romania or Finland
- Artists working in Photography, post-photography, video, experimental, hybrid, interdisciplinary and multimedia practices
There are no restrictions regarding age, experience, or career stage. Emerging and established artists are equally encouraged to apply.
What we are looking for
We welcome projects that engage with Common Borders through:
- borders and liminality (cultural, spatial, symbolic, technological)
- intersections, overlaps, and zones of transition
- peripheral spaces and alternative centers
- separators that also function as connectors
Projects may be existing works or proposals for further development. Research-based, process-oriented and experimental approaches are strongly encouraged.
Conditions of participation
- No participation or submission fees.
- No production or artist fees are offered.
- Artists retain full copyright and ownership of their works.
- The project organizers and editors may use images of the selected works exclusively for communication, promotion, and marketing purposes related to the project.
- Exhibition production, framing, and installation will be handled collaboratively; artists may use existing works and framing if preferred.
- Each selected artist will receive one copy of the publication.
Timeline
February 1st, 2026
Call for Projects announced (deadline for submissions March 15th, 2026)
March – September 2026
Curatorial dialogue and project development with selected artists.
End 2026
Book publishing.
Beginning of 2027 (February–April)
Exhibitions in Romania and Finland, accompanied by the publication launch (each exhibition will be open for approximately 2–3 weeks).
Submissions
Submissions will be sent by email to info@luovake.fi and fotovideo.unage@gmail.com, and will include a plan for project, short bio and CV in one PDF file, max 5 mb. Please write “COMMON BORDERS” in the email subject line.
Approximately 5–6 artists from each country will be selected, based on the received submissions. The selected artists’ work will be featured in the publication and will be included in both the Romanian and Finnish exhibitions.
Further details regarding submission guidelines, selection process, exhibition formats, and publication specifics will be communicated in the coming months. Selected artists will be contacted directly and invited to take part in the project development phase.