Call for Artists: MBZ LAB // Sonic Collaboration in Unconventional Spaces
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.
Apply here by September 1st 2025.
For the full project description and application process click here
Watch a recording of the 21 July webinar with the MBZ team here (password: j7H*?251)
About this call
This opportunity is structured in two stages:
Stage 1 – Expression of Interest & Research Visit
Individual artists or artistic duos submit a portfolio and an expression of interest. At most, five applications will move to the next stage.
Each selected application will receive:
● Travel and accommodation for up to two people (if applying as a duo) for a site visit (3-4 days) to Zagreb
● A seed development fee of €1000 (note that this amount will be the same for individual artists and artistic duos)
The research visit will take place in the last week of October 2025 (27-31 October), enabling artists to connect with the MBZ team and local partners, explore potential locations, and develop their concept into a full proposal, which should include at least one other LAB artist.
Stage 2 – Commissioning & Production
Final projects will be selected in early 2026 and co-produced by MBZ for presentation in April 2027 as part of the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb.
MBZ LAB production budgets and timelines for each selected project will be developed in close collaboration with the chosen artists to reflect the specific needs and scope of each project.
Eligibility
We 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, with a developed body of work and some public presentation history, but are not yet regularly commissioned by major institutions or festivals (approximate age range: 25-35 years old). An ongoing collaborative practice is essential. While priority is given to those based within approximately 500 km of Zagreb, we also welcome applications from artists with strong contextual ties to the region (e.g. origin, language, or past collaborations).
Artists must be available for a 3–4 day research visit in Zagreb, scheduled between October 27 and 31, 2025. Core activity days are October 28, 29, and 30, with October 27 and 31 intended as travel days.
Please note that applicants must be able to work legally in Croatia independently, as we are unable to provide a visa or work permit support at this stage.
How to Apply
Please complete a brief form to share your artistic statements, capture essential contact information and verify your eligibility.
Application deadline is: 1 September 2025, midnight CET
Your application must include:
● CV of the artist or creative team (up to two pages - if applying as a duo, include both individual and joint achievements)
● Portfolio of selected works (up to three works / five pages total maximum. May include photos, text and links to video/audio.
● Artistic statement addressing the following three questions (1000 words max / 6000 characters):
1. How does your work engage with sound, music, or acoustic practices in unconventional spaces?
2. What is your collaborative practice?
3. What kind of experience do you aim to create for your audience?
Please ensure your statement communicates your creative methods and vision in relation to these themes.
Selection Process
A jury composed of external experts and the MBZ Artistic Directors will review all applications. Selection will be based on:
● Artistic experience and the relevance of the portfolio
● Demonstrated interest in collaboration and experimentation
● Geographical proximity, possibility to travel by means other than flying
Due to the high volume of submissions, we cannot provide individual feedback at this stage. However, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section will be available on our website. An online information session with the MBZ team will take place on Monday, 21 July (12-1 pm), and the recording will be made available to all. Sign up here to attend the session and receive an updated FAQ afterwards.
Shortlisted artists will receive detailed feedback and engage in follow-up conversations with the MBZ team before submitting full proposals.
Timeline
● 21 July 2025 12 pm CET – Online meeting with MBZ team (watch here) (password: j7H*?251)
● 1 September 2025 midnight CET – Application deadline (apply here)
● 2–5 September 2025 – Jury meeting
● September 10 2025 – Shortlisted artists notified; first online meeting
● October 27th – 31st 2025 – Research visit to Zagreb
● 8 December 2025 – Deadline for full proposals
● January 2026 – Follow-up conversations with artists
● February–March 2026 – Final project selection
● April–May 2026 – Selected commissioned projects announced
● April 2027 – Premières at the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb
For any questions contact: fanny.martin@mbz.hr
*MBZ LAB is generously sponsored by Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne