Call for Artists: MBZ LAB // Sonic Collaboration in Unconventional Spaces

About the Open Call

Music Biennale Zagreb (MBZ) invites individual artists and artistic duos from South East and Central Europe working in sound and music to join MBZ LAB, a ‘project incubator’ experiment. MBZ LAB reimagines how festivals commission and produce new works, particularly collaborative, sound-based projects designed for unconventional spaces. We are seeking bold, imaginative, and process-driven artists who want to activate public spaces or unusual sites and reimagine the audience experience. This opportunity is structured in two stages: Stage 1 – Expression of Interest & Research Visit (selected applications receive travel, accommodation, and a seed development fee of €1000). Stage 2 – Commissioning & Production (final projects selected in early 2026 and co-produced by MBZ for presentation in April 2027 as part of the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb. Production budgets and timelines will be developed collaboratively with chosen artists.) The call seeks composer-performers, sound and installation artists, improvisers, new-media artists, instrument makers, as well as visual, multimedia, and/or performance artists whose work engages with sound and music in expanded or non-traditional ways. Applicants should be in the early-to-mid-career stage (approximate age range: 25-35 years old), with a developed body of work and some public presentation history, but not yet regularly commissioned by major institutions or festivals. An ongoing collaborative practice is essential. Priority is given to those based within approximately 500 km of Zagreb, but applications from artists with strong contextual ties to the region are also welcome. Artists must be available for a 3–4 day research visit in Zagreb (October 27-31, 2025). Applicants must be able to work legally in Croatia independently. The selection process involves a jury review based on artistic experience, relevance of portfolio, demonstrated interest in collaboration and experimentation, and geographical proximity. Shortlisted artists receive detailed feedback and follow-up conversations before submitting full proposals.

What is Offered

Selected artists (up to five applications) will receive travel and accommodation for a 3-4 day site visit to Zagreb (October 27-31, 2025). Each selected application will receive a seed development fee of €1000 (same for individuals and duos). Final projects will be selected and co-produced by MBZ for presentation in April 2027 as part of the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb. Production budgets and timelines will be developed in close collaboration with chosen artists.

Requirements

Individual artists or artistic duos from South East and Central Europe working in sound and music. Welcome applications from composer-performers, sound and installation artists, improvisers, new-media artists, instrument makers, as well as visual, multimedia, and/or performance artists whose work engages with sound and music in expanded or non-traditional ways. Applicants should be in the early-to-mid-career stage (approximate age range: 25-35 years old), with a developed body of work and some public presentation history, but are not yet regularly commissioned by major institutions or festivals. An ongoing collaborative practice is essential. Priority is given to those based within approximately 500 km of Zagreb, but applications from artists with strong contextual ties to the region (e.g., origin, language, or past collaborations) are also welcome. Artists must be available for a 3–4 day research visit in Zagreb (October 27-31, 2025). Applicants must be able to work legally in Croatia independently, as visa or work permit support is not provided at this stage.

How to Apply

Complete a brief form online to share artistic statements, contact information, and verify eligibility. Application must include: CV (up to two pages), Portfolio (up to three works / five pages total max, with photos, text, links to video/audio), and an Artistic statement (1000 words max / 6000 characters) addressing how work engages with sound/music in unconventional spaces, collaborative practice, and aimed audience experience. The deadline is September 1, 2025, midnight CET.