Die Musikbiennale Zagreb (MBZ) lädt Einzelkünstler:innen und Künstlerduos aus Südost- und Mitteleuropa, die im Bereich Klang und Musik tätig sind, zur Teilnahme am MBZ LAB ein, einem „Projektinkubator“-Experiment. MBZ LAB stellt die Art und Weise, wie Festivals neue Werke in Auftrag geben und produzieren, neu dar, insbesondere kollaborative, klangbasierte Projekte, die für unkonventionelle Räume konzipiert sind.
Music Biennale Zagreb (MBZ) invites individual artists and artistic duos from South East and Central Europe working in sound and music to join MBZ LAB, a ‘project incubator’ experiment. MBZ LAB reimagines how festivals commission and produce new works, particularly collaborative, sound-based projects designed for unconventional spaces. We are seeking bold, imaginative, and process-driven artists who want to activate public spaces or unusual sites and reimagine the audience experience.
Application Deadline: 1 September 2025, midnight CET – apply here
About Music Biennale Zagreb (MBZ)
Founded in 1961 by Milko Kelemen and organised by the Croatian Composers’ Society (HDS), MBZ is Croatia’s leading international festival of contemporary music. Held every spring in odd-numbered years in Zagreb, the festival features symphonic and chamber concerts, experimental music theatre, opera, dance, electronic and alternative music, sound art, and installations. It presents world premieres, national and international commissions, workshops, masterclasses, and professional networking opportunities, hosted across more than 20 venues throughout the city.
The 2025 edition, curated by Davor Vincze, Tomislav Oliver, and Ivan Josip Skender under the theme “Broken Relationships,” featured over 30 events in diverse venues, including symphonic halls, black box theaters, museums, converted stables, and a disused shipbuilding facility. The 2027 edition, led by the same curatorial team, will continue to expand MBZ’s commitment to experimentation, artistic dialogue, and creative use of space throughout Zagreb.
*MBZ LAB is a new initiative generously supported by Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne
About this call
This opportunity is structured in two stages:
Stage 1 – Expression of Interest & Research
Visit Individual artists or artistic duos submit a portfolio and an expression of interest. At most, ve applications will move to the next stage.
Each selected application will receive:
- Travel and accommodation for up to two people (if applying as a duo) for a site visit (3-4 days) to Zagreb
- A seed development fee of €1000 (note that this amount will be the same for individual artists and artistic duos)
The research visit will take place in the last week of October 2025 (27-31 October), enabling artists to connect with the MBZ team and local partners, explore potential locations, and develop their concept into a full proposal, which should include at least one other LAB artist.
Stage 2 – Commissioning & Production
Final projects will be selected in early 2026 and co-produced by MBZ for presentation in April 2027 as part of the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb.
MBZ LAB production budgets and timelines for each selected project will be developed in close collaboration with the chosen artists to reect the specic needs and scope of each project.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from composer-performers, sound and installation artists, improvisers, new-media artists, instrument makers, as well as visual, multimedia, and/or performance artists whose work engages with sound and music in expanded or non-traditional ways. Applicants should be in the early-to-mid-career stage, with a developed body of work and some public presentation history, but are not yet regularly commissioned by major institutions or festivals (rough age range: 25-35 years old). An ongoing collaborative practice is essential. While priority is given to those based within approximately 500 km of Zagreb, we also welcome applications from artists with strong contextual ties to the region (e.g. origin, language, or past collaborations).
Artists must be available for a 3–4 day research visit in Zagreb, scheduled between October 27 and 31, 2025. Core activity days are October 28, 29, and 30, with October 27 and 31 intended as travel days.
MBZ is committed to accommodating your needs at all stages of the process. If you have any specic requirements related to mobility, caregiving, neurodivergence, or other circumstances, please let us know during the application or research visit planning stages.
Please note that applicants must be able to work legally in Croatia independently, as we are unable to provide a visa or work permit support at this stage.
How to Apply
Please complete a brief form to share your artistic statements, capture essential contact information and verify your eligibility.
Your application must include:
- CV of the artist or creative team (up to two pages – if applying as a duo, include both individual and joint achievements)
- Portfolio of selected works (up to three works / ve pages total maximum. May include photos, text and links to video/audio.
- Artistic statement addressing the following three questions (1000 words max / 6000 characters):
- How does your work engage with sound, music, or acoustic practices in unconventional spaces?
- What is your collaborative practice?
- What kind of experience do you aim to create for your audience?
Please ensure your statement communicates your creative methods and vision in relation to these themes.
Selection Process
A jury composed of external experts and the MBZ Artistic Directors will review all applications. Selection will be based on:
- Artistic experience and the relevance of the portfolio
- Demonstrated interest in collaboration and experimentation
- Geographical proximity, possibility to travel by means other than flying
Due to the high volume of submissions, we cannot provide individual feedback at this stage. However, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section will be available on our website. An online information session with the MBZ team will take place on Monday, 21 July (12-1 pm), and the recording will be made available to all. Sign up here to attend the session and receive an updated FAQ afterwards.
Shortlisted artists will receive detailed feedback and engage in follow-up conversations with the MBZ team before submitting full proposals.
Timeline
- 21 July 2025 12 pm CET – Online meeting with MBZ team (register here)
- 1 September 2025 midnight CET – Application deadline (apply here)
- 2–5 September 2025 – Jury meeting
- September 10 2025 – Shortlisted artists notied; rst online meeting
- October 27th – 31st 2025 – Research visit to Zagreb
- 8 December 2025 – Deadline for full proposals
- January 2026 – Follow-up conversations with artists
- February–March 2026 – Final project selection
- April–May 2026 – Selected commissioned projects announced
- April 2027 – Premières at the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb
Additional Information
- Applications should be submitted in English
- No application fee is required
- Commissioning fees and production budgets will be claried and co-designed with selected artists during the second round.
- Residency, mentorship, and development opportunities will be tailored to meet the specic needs of each selected project.
Application Form Questions
Contact & Identity
- Full name (individual or lead contact for duo)
- Pronouns (optional)
- Email address
- Phone number (with country code)
- City and country of residence
Online Presence
- Website (optional)
- Up to 3 social media links (optional)
Eligibility & Availability
- Are you available for a 3–to 4–day research visit between October 25 and November 2, 2025? (Yes/No)
- Where are you currently based? If you spend part or all of your time outside the 500 km radius from Zagreb but maintain strong contextual ties to the South East and Central European regions relevant to this call, please briey explain.
- Please provide at least one researched, ight-free itinerary you would be willing to take to Zagreb (include route, travel time, and mode of transport).
Portfolio & CV Upload
- Upload CV (PDF, maximum two pages)
- Upload portfolio (PDF or ZIP; up to three works, ve pages total) or provide a link to portfolio.
Narrative Questions (max 1000 words total)
- What is your collaborative practice?
- How does your work engage with sound, music, or acoustic practices in unconventional spaces?
- What kind of experience do you aim to create for your audience?
Open question
- Please let us know if you have any access needs or other considerations that would help us support your participation in this opportunity