Open call: Goethe-Institut Tanzania immersive art projects

The German cultural organisation is seeking innovative and imaginative ideas that create transformative and multisensory experiences, blurring the lines between art, audience and environment.

“Immersive art has the power to transport viewers into captivating and interactive realms, engaging them on a deeply personal and emotional level,” Goethe-Institut Tanzania said. “Through this open call, we aim to support projects that utilise technology, space design, performance and other artistic elements to create immersive experiences that challenge perceptions, evoke emotions, and foster connections.”

Proposals within this open call could include:

• Site-specific installations: Projects that transform physical spaces into immersive environments, taking into consideration the architecture, history and cultural significance of the location. These installations can incorporate multimedia elements, soundscapes, lighting, and interactive components to engage and transport audiences.
• Sensorial experiences: Initiatives that engage multiple senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, to create immersive experiences that go beyond the visual realm. These projects can explore synesthetic approaches, explore haptic technologies, or experiment with multisensory storytelling.
• Virtual and augmented reality experiences: Proposals that utilise virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) technologies to create immersive narratives, interactive worlds, or transformative experiences. These projects can merge the physical and digital realms, offering participants new perspectives and immersive storytelling.
• Performance-based immersive art: Projects that integrate live performances, theatre, dance, or interactive experiences to create immersive narratives and engaging encounters. These performances can invite audience participation, blur the boundaries between performer and spectator, and invite viewers to become active participants in the artistic process.
• Immersive storytelling and narrative experiments: Initiatives that explore new forms of storytelling through immersive techniques, including interactive narratives, transmedia projects, or nonlinear storytelling. These projects can leverage technology, game design principles, or participatory elements to create captivating and emotionally resonant experiences.

Applicants are encouraged to think creatively, embrace experimentation and consider the inclusivity and accessibility of their projects.

Selected projects will receive a funding up to 7 million Tanzanian shillings (about $2 800) including honorarium, production requirements and marketing budget. Goethe-Institut Tanzania provides the opportunity for selected projects to utilise its event space in Dar es Salaam without any cost.

Goethe-Institut Tanzania accepts proposals in both Swahili and English.

Eligibility

• Open to contemporary cultural practitioners based in Tanzania. All disciplines are welcome.
• Participation is open to regional or international participants as long as at least one project partner is based in Tanzania.
• Production funds can be supplemented by sponsors, which should be shared with Goethe-Institut Tanzania’s programmes team.

Assessment and criteria

Each proposal will be assessed based on the applicants’ proposal and the quality of the application.

Relevant areas of consideration include:

• Artistic innovation.
• Quality and cohesiveness of the proposal.
• Relevance to contemporary discourses.
• Feasibility of the proposal.

How to apply

Please send your project proposal to the cultural coordinator of Goethe-Institut Tanzania, Mr Daniel Sempeho, at daniel.sempeho@goethe.de.

The proposal should include the following:

• Two sentences defining the goal of the project.
• Elaboration of the project, including length of project and plans for public presentation – no more than 500 words.
• CV.
• Budget plan.

Applicants who are chosen will be invited to present their project ideas to a jury comprising members from the cultural field and representatives of the Goethe-Institut.

Application window

The application deadline is 30 November 2023.

View the original call here.