P.A.I.R. | Open call for artists

Create the Accessible Future of Art!

đź”· Are you an artist with or without a disability?

đź”· Are you interested in experimenting with accessibility tools and digital media to create works that open art to everyone?

As part of the European project P.A.I.R. (Paving Accessible and Inclusive Realities), an artistic residency programme invites artists from all fields to create accessible works of art.

The programme supports the co-creation of digital artworks by disabled and non-disabled artists or inclusive artistic teams, centred on the Creative Accessibility Methodology, an approach that treats accessibility as a source of inspiration, innovation, and artistic practice.

Through this open call, one artist or artistic collective will be selected in each participating country (Greece, Cyprus, and Estonia). Participants will receive the necessary tools and ongoing technical and creative guidance from a Collaborative Working Group, which will play both an educational and mentoring role.

Through this collaboration, artists will create artworks that embody the principles of the Creative Accessibility Methodology, expanding the boundaries of digital art while promoting inclusion and innovation in artistic creation.

Concept: Visible encounters

Fleeting connections and hidden encounters are a continuous process of the human condition, sometimes visible or lingering. They resonate through people, senses, across ideas, within the unfolding of a single moment. They shift, overlap, and ripple, revealing unexpected paths and opening new ways of feeling, thinking, and imagining.

How can we understand the meaning of connection and encounter as an everyday life occurence? Can they become a force into the creative process? How might they be explored through digital art?

What is the “Creative Accessibility Methodology”?

It is an approach that views accessibility and related services as sources of creative inspiration. The Creative Accessibility Methodology integrates accessibility into the artistic design from the very beginning, as an essential and inseparable part of the creative process, not an add-on at the end. Through collaboration, experimentation, and co-design, artists explore ways for their works to be open to all senses, bodies, and experiences, making art accessible to everyone.

What is “Digital Art”?

Digital art makes use of digital media such as video, sound, photography, interactive screens, apps, or online platforms for the creation, presentation, dissemination, or enhancement of an artwork’s accessibility. In other words, the work may take any form, as long as it involves digital media at some stage of its creation or presentation.

What is the Collaborative Working Group?

In each country, the selected artists or collectives will collaborate with a Collaborative Working Group composed of representatives from partner organisations, disabled artists, digital media artists, accessibility experts, and cultural managers. The group’s role is to support artists in the production and accessibility of their artworks and in the implementation of events throughout the programme.

Programme Objective

To create an environment of inclusion, experimentation, and collaboration where art and technology unite to redefine what “accessible creation” means, grounded in shared experience, innovation, and community.

What Awaits Selected Artists

Selected artists and collectives will have the opportunity to:

  • Co-create digital artworks using the Creative Accessibility Methodology
  • Collaborate with project partners (liminal, ABR, Agrenska), the Collaborative Working Groups, experienced digital media artists, and accessibility experts
  • Receive technical and creative support as well as access to resources throughout the creative process
  • Co-design a live event in Athens in which they will showcase their work, hosted in a fully accessible, multisensory environment designed to accommodate the diverse needs and experiences of all audiences
  • Contribute to the development of the Creative Accessibility Methodology Manual and to the dissemination of the project’s outcomes
  • Present their work in an accessible digital zine showcasing the creative process and artistic outcomes of the project
  • Participate in the project’s final online event, where artworks from all participating countries will be presented alongside the project documentary and the Creative Accessibility Methodology Manual
  • Travel to Cyprus and Estonia to attend corresponding events
  • Network with artists and cultural professionals from Greece, Cyprus, Estonia, and other European countries

Participants will receive:

  1. An artist fee for their work depending if single applicant or team. If single artist: 1.000 euros If a duo: 2.000 euros If a team is consisting of more than 3 artists: 3.000 euros (All amounts indicated are gross, inclusive of taxes and deductions)  
  2. Coverage of production fees (including the costs for the live event), as well as additional production support, workspace access, and coverage of travel expenses for visits to Estonia and Cyprus or Greece.

Who Can Apply?

This open call is addressed to emerging artists and artistic collectives working across the full spectrum of the arts (visual, performing, digital, multimedia, music, performance, new media, etc.) who are based in Greece.

We are looking for emerging artists and collectives who:

  • Are oriented toward accessible and inclusive art
  • Approach accessibility as an integral part of their artistic practice
  • Wish to experiment with the Creative Accessibility Methodology and digital media
  • Strive for high artistic quality
  • Take into account the needs of all collaborators involved in the creative process
  • Wish to contribute actively to all stages and deliverables of the project (e.g. the Creative Accessibility Manual)
  • Want to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of artists, cultural professionals, accessibility experts, and disabled individuals.

The selection will be based on the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, giving particular consideration to underrepresented communities. Priority will be given to disabled artists or inclusive groups to ensure the creation of a diverse and pluralistic artistic community.

Accessibility

Accessibility and inclusive practices are at the heart of this programme. Selected artists and collectives will receive personalised accessibility support, adapted to each participant’s needs. The programme may include audio description, automated subtitles and speech-to-text services, Sign Language interpretation, as well as a flexible and inclusive working framework.

For any related questions or accessibility needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

How to apply

Fill in the form provided keep in mind that important information requested will be the following:

  1. Applicant Background & CV
  2. An Initial Project Description (Project Title, Type/Format)
  3. Budget Estimate
  4. Motivation for participation
  5. Accessibility Needs
Application Form

Selection Criteria & Process

Evaluation will take place by the Collaborative Working Groups Committee that will evaluate each application on the basis of the following criteria:

  1. Originality of Concept (25%)
  2. Accessibility Provisions (25%)
  3. Feasibility (20%)
  4. Relevance to the Concept (20%)
  5. Background & Motivation (10%)

During the selection process, you may be invited to a short interview for further clarification.

Key Dates

  • First week of December (exact date to be announced soon): Informative webinar on the application submission process
  • January 10, 2026: Application deadline
  • February 2026: Evaluation & Announcement of Selected Artists
  • February – May 2026: Creation of Accessible Digital Artworks
  • June 2026: In-person events in Greece, Estonia and Cyprus
  • Autumn 2026: Online program closing event, showcasing the works from all three countries along with the program’s outputs

ℹ️ If you have any questions or encounter difficulties with the application process, contact us at [email protected]. We can arrange a video call in Greek Sign Language upon request.

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This program is co-funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe call (CREA-CULT-2024-COOP-1) (Project code: 101173834). With the financial support of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.