S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION – Open Call for Artistic Residencies

S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION is excited to announce its Call for Artists for an interdisciplinary Residency Programme dedicated to innovative water management through the collaboration of Science, Technology, and Arts. This initiative specifically targets crucial water-related challenges in various European regions, combining artistic exploration and technological experimentation to develop impactful solutions. The program features a 9-month artistic residency followed by a 4-month scale-up phase, fostering creative research and meaningful collaborations between art, technology and science and societal partners in Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy. In total, 25 residencies will be supported by specialised organisations. Artists are encouraged to create tangible artistic outputs - such as installations, performances, or functional prototypes - that effectively address distinct regional water management challenges. We find ourselves at a critical moment in our relationship with nature, technology, and communities, where rapid urbanisation has significantly weakened our emotional connection with the natural environment. Strengthening this connection is vital, as we have strong survival interdependencies and cultural ties to nature. This programme highlights the essential links between healthy ecosystems, social cohesion, and human and other than human well-being, fostering a greater collective responsibility and sustainable stewardship of our water resources. Recognising complex and interconnected urgencies around waters, Europe calls for innovative, cooperative approaches to water management. S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION aligns directly with key EU initiatives, including the Green Deal, and contributes actively to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Meeting these goals requires substantial shifts in economic and behavioural practices to promote sustainable and equitable water management.To achieve these ambitious objectives, interdisciplinary cooperation becomes not only beneficial but essential. S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION supports such collaborations through artistic residencies, which unfold through research, community-focused activities, educational workshops, international exhibitions, and networking events. These initiatives unite artists, local communities, technology specialists, and water management experts to jointly create region-specific, technologically sound solutions, fostering sustainable water practices and long-term positive change. S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION builds upon the established framework of the European Commission's S+T+ARTS initiatives (Science, Technology, and Arts), reinforcing its commitment to practical, socially relevant innovation.