Mapping Creative Freedom and Solidarity Across Europe: €600,000 Open Call from The Supporting Act Foundation

In the art world, sustainability signifies far more than the mere continuation of creative production; it demands that the subjects behind that production be safeguarded against economic, social, and institutional vulnerabilities. On today’s European cultural stage, where artists from marginalized and underrepresented communities battle systemic barriers, the concept of “unrestricted funding” is transforming into a vital breath of fresh air. Celebrating its fifth anniversary with its 2026 open call, The Supporting Act Foundation is making a direct intervention in precisely this domain. Preparing to inject a total of €600,000 in unrestricted funding into the sector, the foundation aims to enable both independent artists and non-profit arts organizations to look toward the future with confidence.

Unrestricted Funding Philosophy and Sectoral Vulnerability

The foundation’s core philosophy rests on the conviction that in a society where artists are empowered and shielded from precariousness, everyone reaps cultural gains. Unlike traditional grant mechanisms, the resources provided by The Supporting Act Foundation are not tied to tangible project deliverables, rigid bureaucratic reporting, or any obligation to produce a specific work. Aiming to tackle the root causes of precarity and discrimination in the arts, this flexible approach accords grantees time, breathing room, and institutional autonomy. Alleviating daily livelihood anxieties for artists and institutions establishes an independent working foundation where they can focus deeply on their practice and fully realize their potential.

Direct Relief for Emerging Voices: Artist Grant 2026

Forming one of the most direct support mechanisms of the open call, the Artist Grant focuses on emerging independent creators conducting collective or collaborative processes that benefit their communities. Under the program, 10 selected emerging artists will receive a total of €10,000 in unrestricted support, distributed in monthly installments of €1,000 over 12 months. Targeting talents with 2 to 10 years of professional career experience born in or before 2005, this grant remains open to applications from artists residing in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. For artists struggling to advance their careers due to financial, social, or physical barriers, this financial contribution becomes the most tangible vehicle for improving their living conditions and devoting time to developing their creative practice.

Amplifying the Power of Civil Society: Impact Grant 2026

Aiming to preserve the inclusive infrastructures of the art ecosystem alongside individual artistic output, the foundation provides a long-term backbone for non-profit organizations through the Impact Grant. Ten separate grants of €50,000 spread over two years (€25,000 annually) are allocated to arts-focused institutions that provide non-financial support to artists from disadvantaged backgrounds, boosting their visibility and self-confidence. Civil society organizations registered between 2016 and 2024, with annual budgets ranging from €50,000 to €300,000 and based in the specified European countries, are eligible for this support. In this way, small and medium-sized independent art spaces or collectives gain the opportunity to expand and deepen their community-focused programming without being swayed by financial fluctuations.

An Independent Jury Structure Expanding Diversity

One of the most notable innovations in this year’s process by The Supporting Act Foundation is expanding the selection committee from five to seven members to enhance inclusivity and fairness. Composed entirely of independent artists, curators, and organizers, these panels bring multi-layered perspectives and lived experiences to the evaluation process. Incorporating past grant recipients into the decision-making mechanism demonstrates the continuity of the collective memory built by the foundation. Serving on the Artist Grant jury alongside field experts Beth Davies, Emiko Ogawa, Imed Alibi, Irini Papadimitriou, and Salim Bayri are 2025 grantees Lorena Pires and Rawz. Meanwhile, the Impact Grant selection committee features Adwoa Amoah, Federico Bomba, Marie McPartlin, and Rocío Mateo-Sagasta alongside former grantees Maka Chkhaidze, Nicolas Derné, and Tamar Guttmann. Prioritizing transparency in candidate reviews, this structure ensures each application is evaluated by at least two members against publicly available criteria.

Application Timeline and Future Projection

Commencing on September 1, 2026, the open application window will close on October 1, 2026, at 11:00 Central European Time (CET). Following comprehensive evaluation and final review processes conducted by independent committees in October and November, successful recipients and organizations will be announced to the public in January 2027, when the initial grant installments will be transferred. For all emerging creators and independent institutions who believe in the transformative power of art, this open call period offers a critical support line in building a more equitable and inclusive European art landscape.

Open Call Note from NO-26 Editor

Institution: The Supporting Act Foundation

Total Funding: €600,000 (Unrestricted)

Programs: Artist Grant (10 x €10,000) & Impact Grant (10 x €50,000 / 2 Years)

Application Dates: September 1 – October 1, 2026 (Deadline: 11:00 CET) / Results: January 2027