Open Call for JELO6 Project Athens

Through their own practice, participants are invited to express how art can become a space of co-creation and dialogue, care and community, expression and resistance, conscious and responsible action.

More about the theme:
Art has always been a field of expression, conflict, dreaming, and resistance. But today, in a world of social inequalities, environmental crisis, and political and cultural fluidity, can we truly speak of apolitical art? Or is every act of creation—even the most “private” one—already a political gesture, because it expresses a way of existing and relating to the world?

Participatory art emerges from the need to redefine the relationship between creator, artwork, and viewer. At its core lies the act of “togetherness”—the belief that art is not the privilege of a few, but a shared space of expression, co-formation, and social dialogue. When the viewer is invited to co-create, to share experiences, or to bring their personal story into the process, art ceases to be an object of aesthetic consumption and becomes a political act of participation.

In a world where social inequalities and cultural exclusions are widening, participatory art functions as a framework of care, community, and empowerment. Creation becomes a way for silenced voices to be heard, for knowledge to emerge from the margins, for relationships to be built through collaboration. The aesthetic experience is transformed into a social act, into a micro-political field where every gesture matters—from shaping an object to telling a story.

Participatory art does not promise to change the world in a spectacular way; it invites us, however, to re-imagine how we coexist within it. In this collective act of creation, the “I” shifts toward the “we”—and it is precisely there that the most essential form of politics is born.

JELO6 Athens 2026 invites creators of contemporary jewelry, ceramics, and art objects to approach this question through their own practice. To explore how material, gesture, and the relationship with the public can express participation, coexistence, and the political dimension of creation. To create works that speak not only about the world, but with the world.


Read about the Vision and Goals


THE PROJECT:
JELO6 Athens 2026 will take place from 13–17 May 2026.

The central exhibition, JEWELRY + OBJECTS + our 6 SENSES, will be hosted at the Benaki Museum – Pireos 138. Satellite exhibitions and events will unfold across collaborating galleries and art spaces, as well as in alternative venues throughout the center of Athens, creating a vibrant network of artistic activity across the city.

Participation Criteria
JELO6 Athens 2026 welcomes applications from schools, independent designers/creators, collectives, and galleries from across Greece and from all countries worldwide, who:
 

• Understand contemporary jewelry, wearable art, ceramics, small-scale sculpture/ objects, and the applied arts more broadly as mediums of self-expression, self-knowledge, and—where relevant—healing, through embodied engagement during periods of transition.
• Through their practice, seek to expand the boundaries between disciplines—whether artistic or academic—as well as between past and future, building bridges and interconnected approaches.

We are also seeking authentic artistic voices and a high level of craftsmanship.
There are no restrictions regarding materials or conceptual approach for the works submitted.
Brand names will not be accepted.

Please note:
All works must be new and carefully selected to engage meaningfully with the theme of the event.
Works belonging to older collections (more than two or three years old) or previously exhibited will not be accepted.

ARTISTS, COLLECTIVES, GALLERIES, AND SCHOOLS SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION MUST BE PREPARED TO PERSONALLY TRANSPORT THEIR WORKS TO ATHENS AND TO ATTEND THE OPENING EVENT.


Important Dates

• 1 March 2026: Application deadline.
• 30 April 2026: On-site delivery of works, Benaki Museum, Pireos 138 (10:00–12:00, unless otherwise agreed).
• 13 May 2026: Completion of installation (17:30) & Opening at 19:00 h.
• 17 May 2026: Deinstallation of works after the Awards Ceremony.

The Jury Committee
The central exhibition JEWELRY + OBJECTS + our 6 SENSES is a juried project.
The members of the jury committee will be announced before the end of January 2026.
All satellite exhibitions will also undergo a selection process, conducted by the JELO6 Project team.

> INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS: Application Guidelines for the Central Exhibition of JELO6
Project Athens“JEWELRY + OBJECTS + our 6 SENSES – Can Art Be Apolitical?”


Note: All submitted materials must describe one cohesive body of work.
Submission Deadline: Until 1 March 2026
No applications will be accepted after this date.

Financial Terms / Participation Fee
- Application Fee: €25 (nonrefundable). Payment is made electronically during the submission process.
- Participation Fee: For the main exhibition and for INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS, the participation fee is €495 (VAT included).
- Applications submitted before 1 February 2026 are eligible for a 10% discount.
- Selected artists must complete payment of the participation fee by 20 March 2026.
- Failure to meet this deadline will result in cancellation of participation.

Selection Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Conceptual Approach – coherence, depth of research, and clarity of the artistic idea.
2. Originality – innovation in design, composition, and use of materials.
3. Craftsmanship & Technical Innovation – quality of execution and inventive technical solutions.

> Application link: APPLICATION FORMS. Please select the relevant category.


> SOLO EXHIBITIONS, ARTIST GROUPS, COLLECTIVES, GALLERIES, AND ART & DESIGN SCHOOLS: Application guidelines for Satellite Exhibitions — JELO6 Athens 2026.
As part of its broader cultural program, JELO6 Athens 2026 will host a series of Satellite Exhibitions across selected venues in the city of Athens. These exhibitions will complement the central exhibition at the Benaki Museum (Pireos 138) and will contribute to the creation of a diverse, citywide artistic network that reflects the scope and vision of the JELO6 Project.

The Satellite Program is open to solo artists, artist groups, collectives, galleries, and art & design schools engaged in the fields of contemporary jewelry, ceramics, small-scale sculpture/objects, wearable art, and the applied arts. The aim of the program is to support high-quality artistic presentations that enrich the cultural landscape of the festival and foster dialogue within the international creative community.

Financial Terms / Participation Fee
Application Fee: €25 (nonrefundable). Payment is made electronically during the submission process.
Participation Fee: To support the administrative, promotional, and organisational framework of the festival, the following participation fees apply:

• Solo Exhibition: €300 (VAT included).
• Artist Groups / Collectives: €400 (VAT included) for 2-8 participants.
• Galleries: €400 (VAT included) for 2-8 participants.
• Art & Design Schools: €250 (VAT included) for 2-8 participants.
• Open Studios and Studio Visits: €250 (VAT included).

Participants are responsible for their own exhibition venue/set up/opening. JELO6 Project ATHENS will help with spaces, providing suggestions and solutions. There will be several options: from shop/gallery windows to low-cost art spaces.
For more information, get in touch with the JELO6 Project team by writing to: jelo6project@gmail.com

In return, JELO6 Athens 2026 will provide:

• Inclusion in the printed Catalogue.
• Inclusion in the official printed and digital program of the festival.
• Promotion through the JELO6 communication channels.
• Coordination, support and visibility within the official festival map and unfolding of the event.
• Integration into the broader international network of JELO6 participants and audiences.

(IN CASE OF SALES DURING THE EVENT, JELO6 Project and JELO6 Project Team WILL HAVE NO CLAIMS OR TAX LIABILITY)

> Applications submitted before 1 February 2026 are eligible for a 10% discount.

> Selected artists must complete payment of the participation fee by 20 March 2026.

Failure to meet this deadline will result in cancellation of participation.

Eligibility and Requirements
Proposals will be considered from entities that demonstrate:

• A clearly articulated curatorial or artistic concept
• Professional presentation and high standards of craftsmanship
• Relevance to contemporary practices in jewelry, ceramics, objects, or applied arts
• A contribution to the thematic, artistic, or discursive framework of JELO6 Athens 2026

Submission Procedure
Applicants are invited to submit:

• A concise exhibition proposal (concept, objectives, participating artists).
• Visual material (images or sketches of proposed works).
• Venue information (confirmed or under negotiation).
• A profile of the artist, collective, gallery, or institution.
• Contact details for the responsible representative.

> Application link: APPLICATION FORMS. Please select the relevant category.

JELO6 Athens 2026 encourages proposals that demonstrate artistic integrity, conceptual clarity, and a commitment to advancing contemporary creative practice. We look forward to receiving submissions that will contribute to a rich and multifaceted
festival program.


Check here the Responsibilities of the Organising Team and Terms and Conditions