Open Call—Werner Fenz Grant for Art in Public Space 2026

About the Open Call

The Cultural Affairs Department of the City of Graz and steirischer herbst are delighted to invite applications for the Werner Fenz Grant for Art in Public Space 2026. Endowed with 17,000 euros, the grant aims to assess the status of art in public space, with an international jury selecting a temporary project every two years. Initiated in 2020 in honor of the late art historian and curator Werner Fenz (1944–2016), the call is open for national and international artists who address the cultural and political context of Graz, Austria, in their submitted projects. As an internationally renowned curator, theorist, and educator, Werner Fenz founded the Institute for Art in Public Space Styria and combined theory and practice in an uncompromising and exemplary manner, continuously raising the profile of art in public space—in and outside of Graz. He was closely associated with steirischer herbst and curated countless projects at the festival. The grant promotes art that gives a critical impetus to public space and social change, art that “assumes social responsibility” (Werner Fenz) and seeks to engage citizens. Projects can deal with economic, political, social, ecological, architectural, or urban development issues. They should contribute to the discourse on current forms of art in public space and address the sociopolitical context of the city of Graz and the province of Styria. The focus lies on temporary projects that infiltrate everyday life and latch onto existing public structures. The grant is awarded biennially by the City of Graz and steirischer herbst. It is endowed with 17,000 euros, of which 12,000 are dedicated to the realization of the artwork and 5,000 to the artist’s fee. The call is open to artists from all countries. An international jury selects one of the proposals. It consists of five members, one of whom belongs to the grant initiators’ committee. Additionally, the jury contains two people nominated by steirischer herbst and two nominated by the city’s cultural affairs department. The winning project is selected by January 2026. The grantee is publicly announced in spring and their work presented as part of steirischer herbst ’26 (September/October 2026). The project is produced under the auspices of steirischer herbst and can draw on the festival’s resources and considerable experience with art in public space. On-site research as well as travel and accommodation of the artist(s) during production in Graz are covered in addition to the 17,000-euro endowment as part of the grant. The project is documented in the context of steirischer herbst as well as on the Werner Fenz website. In 2024, steirischer herbst started the collection of the Werner Fenz Grant at steirischer herbst and purchased originals from ten selected artists who applied for the grant. This collection grows in tandem with the biennial grant and includes preparatory material relating to applications such as drafts or sketches. In 2026, steirischer herbst aims to acquire material by ten additional artists for the collection.

What is Offered

The grant is endowed with 17,000 euros, comprising 12,000 euros for the realization of the artwork and a 5,000 euro artist's fee. Additionally, on-site research, travel, and accommodation for the artist(s) during production in Graz are covered. The winning project will be produced under the auspices of steirischer herbst and presented as part of steirischer herbst ’26.

Requirements

The call is open to national and international artists. Submitted projects must address the cultural and political context of Graz, Austria, and focus on temporary projects that critically engage with public space and social change. Projects should contribute to the discourse on current forms of art in public space and address sociopolitical contexts.

How to Apply

Submissions must be made via the online submission form. Required materials include: a project description (max. two A4 pages) covering content and technical aspects, visualization/sketch, information on duration and location; a budget; and a portfolio with sample work (preferably in public space), visual material, and texts. All materials must be submitted as one PDF. Submissions can be in German or English.