Rivers of Democracy Residencies 2026
Rivers of Democracy is calling for applications from Europe-based artists for three residencies across France, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, between June and August 2026.
Rivers of Democracy is a transnational initiative that seeks to reimagine rivers not only as ecological systems but as subjects of rights, intertwined with human communities, democratic participation, and cultural expression. Flowing across borders, the project transforms Europe’s rivers into corridors of encounter, entry points for rethinking democracy, environmental justice, and rural revitalisation.
Across three distinct routes—from a drifting boat residency through the canals of France to a cycling expedition connecting Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest—participants engage in experiences such as water quality testing, participatory artistic interventions, storytelling, and hands-on workshops on the rights of nature.
The project provides a platform to co-create and present work within major European festivals (Sziget Festival, Fluctuations Festival, and Wiener Festwochen) as well as an environment for interdisciplinary exchange and experimentation. Artist will have the opportunity to be part of an international network of practitioners working at the intersection of art, ecology, and democracy.
There are three journeys in the project:
- Rivers of Democracy x Wiener Festwochen (Vienna, Austria), 18–21 June (Stationary Residency), Vienna, along the Danube
- Rivers of Democracy x Fluctuations Festival / Urban Boat (Northern France), 3–10 July (TBC), Compiègne → Noyon → Péronne → Douai → Lille
- Rivers of Democracy x Sziget Festival (Austria, Slovakia and Hungary), 5–11 August, Vienna → Bratislava → Győr → Esztergom → Budapest
Each residency seeks a specific artist profile.
Support
- Travel to and from the starting/ending points of each route
- Accommodation throughout the journey
- Food and basic living costs during the programme
Rivers of Democracy 2026 application guidelines
Deadline: 17 May 2026