OSTEN BIENNIAL of CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS Skopje 2026. OSTEN BIENNIAL (organized by OSTEN Skopje, North Macedonia) is an event open to everything that is new and is much more comprehensive than the traditional one, giving priority to works that break the old and worn-out art matrices, works that have a specific artist’s mark or hint at an attempt for stepping outside the established academic rules, into the free space of creation. The Biennial challenges artists to push conventional boundaries, both in terms of the use of techniques, tools, and media, and in terms of creative freedom of expression. So – feel free to submit your most innovative and creative works, regardless of form, technique, or medium. All are welcome:
1. Art on paper (drawing, print, and mixed media)
2. 2D and 3D (painting, objects, installations, textile art)
3. Photography, video art, multimedia art
The OSTEN BIENNIAL offers the opportunity for artists aged 18+ to participate in two categories:
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION, and
GROUP PARTICIPATION (up to 7 artists), where the group can register with:
JOINT CONCEPT (with separate works by group members united around the concept)
JOINT WORK (one work created by all group members with group authorship)
* For groups over 7 artists – in separate communication with the Organizer.
The possibility of group participation is our contribution to encouraging collaboration between artists.
CONDITIONS for PARTICIPATION
For REGULAR PARTICIPATION, the artist should:
– Submit the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM along with a short bio and portrait photo (for promotional activities of the Biennial)
– APPLY WITH (up to five) WORKS created between 2024-2026 (the works that consist of more parts – diptych, triptych, polyptych – are to be considered as one work).
– ATTACH DIGITAL IMAGES of the work/s, as an integral part of the online application (obligatory full photo of the work/s + optional details) in .jpg, .png, or .tiff format (300dpi), 2MB/photo.
* Keep in mind the FORMAT OF THE PHOTOS, as they will be used for the catalog of the Biennial, if selected.
* By sending the ONLINE APPLICATION, the artist agrees that the organizer will use, exhibit, study, and publish her/his work/s for the needs of the OSTEN BIENNIAL and the OSTEN Museum.
* The SELECTED WORK (exhibited at the official exhibition and presented in the catalog) by the AWARDED ARTISTS and FINALISTS shall remain within the collection of the OSTEN Museum, and the donation of the other submitted works to the collection of the OSTEN Museum is optional.
ONLINE APPLICATION DEADLINE – 31 May 2026
IMPORTANT!!! At this stage, artists should not send the original works. Only FINALISTS will be informed to send their original works after the selection process.
deadline: 31 May 2026
more info: https://www.osten.mk/en/ob-2026-call-for-participation/
