Diaspora Artists Commissions
Call for Artworks — Refugee Week Greece 2026
Theme: Courage (cor — heart)
Refugee Week Greece is a grassroots arts and culture festival founded in 2021 that celebrates the creativity, resilience, and contributions of refugees and migrants while promoting equality, diversity, and social inclusion across Greek society.
Taking place each June as part of the global Refugee Week movement, the festival uses culture as a tool for belonging, amplifies the voices of diaspora artists, and fosters meaningful connections between communities through co-creation rather than charity — positioning refugees and migrants as cultural contributors and leaders.
Theme 2026: Courage
The word courage comes from the Latin cor, meaning heart.
Inspired by the lives and experiences of people seeking sanctuary, Refugee Week 2026 invites us to explore the theme of Courage.
For refugees around the world, courage is often a daily necessity. It is the courage to face unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems, or simply to wake up each morning and step into an uncertain world.
At a time when some seek to divide and blame, Refugee Week 2026 calls us to come together and share the courage to welcome, to stand for what we believe in, and to celebrate culture and community — to be joyful, imagine new possibilities, dream, heal, and connect.
Courage isn’t always loud or bold. It can be found in simple acts: opening your door to a neighbour, trying new food, reading a book, watching a film that changes your view of the world.
It can be speaking up, asking for help, sharing your story — or simply having the courage to be yourself.
Through art, stories, and community, we celebrate the courage that lives within us all — and how connection helps it grow.
Refugee Week 2026 also marks 75 years since the 1951 Refugee Convention — the landmark agreement affirming that those forced to flee deserve protection, dignity, and hope.
Open Call for Artworks
In collaboration with the Athens Coordination Center for Migrants and Refugees (ACCMR), Refugee Week Greece (15–21 June 2026) invites artists to submit work inspired by this year’s theme COURAGE and the everyday acts of hope that often go unse
We welcome all forms of artistic expression, including but not limited to:
- Visual arts
- Illustration & comics
- Photography & video
- Installation
- Textile & craft
- Mixed media
- Participatory or community-based work
What You Can Submit
Your proposal can be:
- A new project developed specifically in response to the theme, or
- An existing project you have been developing that aligns with the theme and can evolve through this opportunity.
What Selected Artists Receive
- 4 artworks / projects will be selected
- €300 production grant per artwork
- Mentoring support from the Refugee Week Greece team to help you develop your work
- Exhibition during Refugee Week Greece 2026
Who Can Apply
We strongly encourage applications from:
- Refugee, migrant, and diaspora artists
- Artists working with refugee or migrant communities
- Artists interested in themes of belonging, courage, and community
Artists based in Greece are prioritised, but collaborations across borders are very much welcome.
Key Dates
- Submissions Deadline: 20 May 2026
- Festival dates: 15–21 June 2026
- Exhibition presented as part of the official Refugee Week Greece programme (17 – 19 June 2026)