NordArt 2027 Open Call for Artists

The NordArt 2027 open call invites artists to take part in one of Europe's largest annual exhibitions of contemporary art. The show is held every summer in and around the Carlshütte, a former iron foundry in Büdelsdorf in the north of Germany, and the 2027 edition runs from 5 June to 3 October 2027. Applying is free, and artists from every country and every medium can apply.

The scale of the venue is what makes NordArt unusual. The exhibition fills 22,000 m² of historic industrial halls, an 80,000 m² sculpture park and the 400 m² ACO Wagenremise building. That space allows very large works, sculptures and installations to be shown next to painting, photography, drawing and video, and it is one reason the exhibition attracts a large international audience each summer.

Unlike a competition, NordArt is first of all an exhibition. A jury chooses which artists are invited to show, and the prizes are awarded among the exhibiting artists. Selected work can be offered for sale without any commission to the organiser.

Who Can Apply to the NordArt 2027 Open Call?

The call is open to artists from around the world, working in any medium. Both established and emerging artists apply, and the call does not ask for previous exhibitions in Germany.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Painters, draughtspeople and printmakers
• Sculptors and installation artists who need large indoor or outdoor space
• Photographers and video artists
• Artists who want to develop a work on site through the artist-in-residence option

What Can You Submit?

You present your practice through images of up to ten works. They do not need to be new, and NordArt does not set a theme for the call: the jury chooses artists on the strength of the work as a whole.

Artist in Residence

If you would like to develop a work on site, you can tick the "Artist in Residence" field in the online form and upload a short project description covering the concept, the time you would need and the materials required.

Application Fees

Applying to the NordArt 2027 open call is free of charge. NordArt also takes no commission on sales: interested buyers are put in touch with the artist directly and collect the work after the exhibition closes.

The main cost for selected artists is transport. Artists pay for shipping their works to Büdelsdorf and back, including international transport.

What Do Selected Artists Receive?

• A place in the exhibition: works shown from 5 June to 3 October 2027, installed by the NordArt team unless agreed otherwise
• Insurance: NordArt insures the works from arrival until collection
• Catalogue: one full page per artist in the bilingual German and English catalogue, plus a free copy
• Sales without commission: works may be offered for sale and the full price goes to the artist
• NordArt Prize: €10,000 for one exhibiting artist, who is also invited to NordArt 2028
• Public Choice Award: three awards of €1,000 each, voted by visitors; winners are invited to NordArt 2028

The awards are presented at the opening of the following year's exhibition.

Submission Requirements

The online application is the preferred route. Applications can also be sent by email to application@nordart.de or by post to the NordArt office in Büdelsdorf.

Online Application

1. Contact details and an artist CV (Word or PDF, under 1 MB). Articles and reviews are optional.
2. Your field or fields of work, and the residency project description if you choose that option.
3. Up to ten images (JPG, GIF or PNG, under 1 MB each), each with title, year, technique and size in centimetres. Video works can be added as a web link.

By Email or Post

Send the completed application form, your CV, images of up to ten works with the same captions and, if you like, catalogues or press material. Do not send original works. Submitted material is not returned.

Important Rules

• Applications must arrive, or be postmarked, by 31 October 2026.
• Only images and documents are reviewed; never send original works with the application.
• Selected artists pay transport costs both ways.
• Catalogue material must be sent within ten days of confirmation.
• Unselected applicants are not notified individually.

When Will Applicants Be Notified?

The jury reviews applications by mid-February 2027 and contacts selected artists by email. The full list of participating artists is published on 1 March 2027.

Things to Consider

• Choose ten strong images, not ten different directions. The jury is selecting an artist, so a coherent group of works reads better than a mix.
• Think about space. NordArt has room for large sculpture and installation that most exhibitions cannot take; if your work needs space, show it.
• Plan the transport budget. There is no fee and no commission, but international shipping to northern Germany can be expensive for large pieces.
• Keep files small. Each image must be under 1 MB, so export carefully to keep colour and detail.
• Visiting instead? Our NordArt 2027 exhibition guide covers opening hours, tickets and how to get there.
• Mark the dates. If selected, you will need catalogue material within ten days and the work in Büdelsdorf by 16 April 2027.

Apply to the Open Call

Ready to apply?

Apply to NordArt 2027

The full call, the online form and the postal address are on the official NordArt website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 9, 2026