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 and dangerous 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 the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention — the life-saving legal instrument affirming that those forced to flee deserve protection, dignity, and hope. A proof that even in our darkest hours, we can choose to protect each other.
Open Call for Artworks
In collaboration with the Athens Coordination Center for Migrant and Refugee issues (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 unseen.
We welcome all forms of artistic expression, including but not limited to:
- Visual arts
- Poetry
- 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 artist
- 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 prioritized, but collaborations across borders are very much welcome.
Key Dates
- Submissions Deadline: Sunday 24 May 2026
- Festival dates: 15–21 June 2026
- Artworks will be displayed as part of an exhibition presented in partnership with UNHCR within the Refugee Week Greece official programme and the 75th Anniversary of the Refugee Convention (17 – 19 June 2026)
Before applying, please read carefully the terms of participation:
- Submitted works must respond to this year’s theme: “Courage” and align with the values of the festival
- The open call welcomes all forms of artistic expression
- Participation is free, open to all, and there are no age restrictions
- Each participant may submit one (1) artwork/project
- Works that have already received awards in other national or international competitions are not eligible.
- Submissions must be original. Works created by others or heavily based on third-party material will be excluded
- Copyright remains with the artist. By submitting, participants confirm they are the creator and rights holder of the work
- Artists are responsible for ensuring their work complies with all applicable laws, including copyright, consent, and privacy rights. Any identifiable individuals must have given permission; special care must be taken when depicting minors
- Submitted works may be used by the organizers for non-commercial promotional purposes (e.g. exhibitions, website, social media, press), with proper credit to the artist and without additional compensation
- The selection by the independent committee is final and not subject to appeal
- Results will be announced following the completion of the selection process, and selected participants will be notified directly
- Submission to this open call implies full acceptance of these terms
Τhe actions and services of ACCMR are implemented within the framework of the project Open Social Net (OSN), funded by the Attica 2021–2027 Programme (NSRF 2021–2027), co-financed by the European Union (ESF+), and implemented by Develop Athens S.A..