Deadline: 09-Mar-2026

The Culture and Health Platform is funding six artistic projects in Romania that promote physical and emotional well-being through participatory arts practices. A total of €24,000 is available, with grants of up to €5,000 (Category I) and €3,000 (Category II). Applications are open to emerging artists or collectives with at least three years of experience, and the deadline is March 9 at 11:59 PM.

The Culture and Health Platform is inviting applications from artists in Romania to develop or consolidate artistic practices focused on health and well-being.

The initiative supports participatory arts interventions that complement medical care, prevent health problems, strengthen social relationships, and encourage healthier behaviors.

Programme Objective

The call aims to:

• Support artists working in the field of culture and health

• Bring artistic practices into communities and care environments

• Improve participants’ physical and emotional well-being

• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between arts and health sectors

Eligible artistic disciplines include:

• Visual arts

• Performing arts

• Music

• Dance

• Circus

• Other artistic fields

Both new and previously tested interventions are eligible.

Total Budget and Funding Structure

Total available budget: €24,000

Number of supported projects: 6

Funding covers:

• Artist fees

• Taxes

• Travel

• Accommodation

• Development and implementation costs

Allocated amounts are fixed. Any additional expenses must be covered by applicants.

Priority is given to projects where this funding is the main financial support.

The organizer may award fewer projects or lower amounts than the maximum specified.

Funding Categories

Category I – Institutional Partnership Projects

Maximum allocation: €5,000 gross per project

Projects must:

• Be developed in partnership with a health, education, or care institution

• Target beneficiaries served by the partner institution

• Include a signed collaboration agreement covering the full implementation period

Projects demonstrating long-term collaboration and partner involvement in design, implementation, and evaluation are particularly valued.

Category II – Community-Based Projects

Maximum allocation: €3,000 gross per project

Projects may be implemented in:

• Community spaces

• Cultural spaces

• Educational environments

• Medical institutions

• Social centers

• Professional spaces

These projects must initiate or develop artistic practices focused on health and well-being.

Eligible Project Criteria

Projects must:

• Address health and/or well-being

• Actively involve participants in the creative process

• Demonstrate understanding of beneficiaries’ context

• Aim for documented impact on health or well-being

• Ensure artistic quality

• Take place in Romania

• Fit within the specified timeframe and budget

• Follow ethical principles prioritizing participants’ well-being

• Be fully implemented by applicants and partners

Participatory projects with at least eight meetings with identified participants are recommended.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be individual artists or collectives (including artists and professionals such as public health specialists, psychologists, social workers, or educational facilitators)

• Be based in Romania

• Identify as emerging artists in culture and health

• Have at least three years of professional artistic experience (portfolio required)

• Hold Romanian nationality or residency

• Be at least 18 years old

• Take responsibility for the full creative process and dissemination

• Remain available for communication during the project period

Project Timeline

• Application deadline: March 9 at 11:59 PM

• Selection period: March 10 – March 29

• Results announced: March 30

• Confirmation by selected candidates: March 30 – April 3

• Contracting: April 6 – April 24

• Project implementation: April 25 – December 31, 2026

• Final reporting deadline: Within 30 days after completing activities, but no later than January 31, 2027

What Is Meant by “Culture and Health”?

Within this call, culture and health refers to artistic practices that:

• Support emotional regulation

• Prevent physical or mental conditions

• Encourage healthy behaviors

• Strengthen social relationships

• Improve care and medical environments

• Combine artistic research with health-related practice

• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration between arts and health professionals

How to Apply

Step 1: Choose a Category

Select Category I (with institutional partner) or Category II (community-based).

Step 2: Develop a Participatory Artistic Proposal

Clearly define:

• Target beneficiaries

• Health or well-being focus

• Creative methodology

• Expected impact

Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation

Include:

• Portfolio (minimum three years of experience)

• Proof of nationality or residency

• Collaboration agreement (Category I only)

Step 4: Submit Before Deadline

Submit proposal by March 9 at 11:59 PM.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting non-participatory artistic projects

• Failing to demonstrate health or well-being impact

• Missing required collaboration agreement (Category I)

• Proposing activities outside Romania

• Exceeding budget limits

• Not demonstrating understanding of beneficiaries’ context

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many projects will be funded?

Six projects in total.

2. What is the maximum funding per project?

€5,000 for Category I and €3,000 for Category II.

3. Can previously tested artistic practices be submitted?

Yes, provided they aim to improve participants’ well-being.

4. Is institutional partnership mandatory?

Only for Category I projects.

5. Must projects be participatory?

Yes. Active participant involvement in the creative process is required.

6. Where must activities take place?

All activities must take place in Romania.

7. When must projects be completed?

By December 31, 2026, with final reporting no later than January 31, 2027.

Conclusion

The Culture and Health Platform 2026 open call supports six participatory artistic projects in Romania that promote health and well-being through interdisciplinary collaboration.

With a total budget of €24,000, the programme offers fixed grants under two categories and prioritizes projects that actively engage communities and demonstrate documented health impact within the 2026 implementation period.

For more information, visit CultureAndHealth Platform.