OPEN CALL: Submissions For the 2023–24 Edition of Forecast Mentorships

We’re happy to announce the six new mentors and our call for project ideas for Forecast 8.

Artistic practitioners and cultural producers working in all creative fields, anywhere in the world, are encouraged to apply to Forecast’s international mentorship program with projects that could benefit from the expertise of one of this edition’s mentors and their unique approach to material and knowledge production.

Send us your project ideas for the chance to work with one of the following mentors: Poet Gabeba Baderoon (South Africa); drummer Greg Fox (USA); visual artist Roee Rosen (Israel); fashion designer Irakli Rusadze of Situationist (Georgia); photographer Mila Teshaieva (Ukraine); and performance artist Yuya Tsukahara (Japan).

The mentors in Forecast’s 2023–24 edition engage with practices that highlight the autonomy of creative endeavors, and emphasize the significance of independent art-making in today’s deeply politicized climate of cultural production and its reception.

The call is open to applicants of all ages and does not prescribe a theme. The only requirement is to submit projects that are relevant to the expertise of the mentor you wish to work with. Find out more about each mentor’s field of expertise and what they are looking for in a potential mentee here. The deadline for applications is 11:59pm CET on Sunday, February 26.

About the mentorship program
As an international mentorship program with annual editions, Forecast offers artists and creative thinkers from anywhere in the world the chance to work with accomplished mentors toward bringing their projects to fruition. Each edition of Forecast is different; the selected mentors impact the nature and content of every iteration. Forecast is not a grant. It is first and foremost a mentorship program meant to promote a deep transdisciplinary exchange and extend professional networks. If you are selected as a nominee and later, as a mentee, you will also receive an artist fee and production budget, in addition to support in applying to further collaborations and/or funding.

The selection process is two-tiered. First, the mentors carefully review all proposals and invite three nominees each to workshop with the mentor and present their ideas at the Forecast Forum in Berlin, taking place in July 2023. All eighteen nominees receive an artist fee. Following the Forum, each mentor will select one mentee.

Those six mentees will receive a production budget and a licensing and artist fee, and will have several months to produce their project with the mentor’s support. In addition to ongoing exchanges, this period also includes a one-on-one work-stay with the mentor at an international partner institution.

The final productions will be presented to the public at the Forecast Festival in spring 2024. The Forum and the Festival both take place at Radialsystem, Berlin. Travel and accommodation are covered by Forecast (if you apply as a duo or collective, note that Forecast can only cover the cost of one representative).

Forecast can only accept applications submitted in English via the online application form. Please consult the Guidelines and FAQ sections on our website before applying. Forecast is a project by Skills e.V. It is supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.