ELIA Opens Global Satellite Host Call for Biennial Conference 2026

Amsterdam, Netherlands — The European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) has announced an open call for hosts to participate in its Global Satellite Programme, a key component of the ELIA Biennial Conference 2026. The initiative aims to expand the conference’s reach beyond its physical location by connecting participants, institutions, and communities across different regions and time zones.

Applications for the programme are open until July 20, 2026, with successful proposals becoming part of the wider Biennial programme before, during, and after the conference.

Biennial Theme: Going Off Centre

The 2026 ELIA Biennial Conference will be held November 18–21, 2026, in Zwolle, the Netherlands, and will be hosted by ArtEZ University of the Arts.

Under the theme “Going Off Centre,” the conference will examine how artistic education and creative communities can respond to periods of uncertainty and change. Organisers describe the theme as an exploration of what becomes possible when institutions and practitioners move away from dominant narratives and established structures.

According to ELIA, the conference seeks to reposition the art school not by returning to a previous model, but by reimagining it as a dynamic and evolving space for knowledge creation. The concept encourages participants to challenge rigid definitions, hierarchical structures, and fixed assumptions while fostering new ways of learning and collaboration.

Extending the Conference Worldwide

The Global Satellite Programme has been designed as an integrated extension of the Biennial, allowing participation from individuals and organisations that may not be able to attend the conference in person.

The programme will begin prior to the conference, contribute to the live experience in Zwolle, and continue afterward through a variety of formats, including online, hybrid, asynchronous, and locally based initiatives.

All content produced through the programme will be accessible online to Biennial registrants and ELIA member institutions, ensuring broader international engagement with the conference’s themes and discussions.

By operating across different geographical locations and timeframes, the programme aims to enrich the Biennial’s public outcomes and conversations. ELIA says the initiative will bring together diverse perspectives, artistic practices, and collaborative projects that might otherwise remain outside the scope of a traditional in-person conference.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to representatives of ELIA member institutions as well as a wide range of collaborators, including:

• Artists and artistic collectives
• Cultural organisations
• Community centres
• Researchers and research groups
• Advocacy and activist networks
• Local initiatives
• Non-arts institutions

However, every submission must include at least one ELIA member institution acting as either the lead organiser or co-organiser.

Additionally, proposals originating from Europe must include a collaborating partner based outside Europe, reinforcing the programme’s international and cross-cultural focus.

Organisations and individuals who are not currently ELIA members are encouraged to contact the organisation to learn more about membership opportunities and potential collaboration options.

Encouraging Innovative Formats

ELIA is encouraging applicants to move beyond traditional online presentations and experiment with creative and participatory formats aligned with the Going Off Centre theme.

Suggested formats include:

• Podcasts
• Video blogs (vlogs)
• Hybrid performances
• Social media interventions
• Collective mapping projects
• International collaborative art initiatives
• Student-led activities
• Live online interventions
• Recorded contributions
• Radio programmes
• Other innovative and unconventional approaches

The organisation hopes these formats will create meaningful connections between participants across different locations while fostering dialogue around contemporary artistic education and practice.

Submission Requirements

Applicants are required to provide the following information:

• Content title
• Description of the proposed contribution, including timing details (maximum 300 words)
• Technical requirements and specifications
• Information about contributors, presenters, and participating organisations
• Contact information

Those seeking detailed guidance on preparing an application can consult the ELIA Biennial Conference website.

Application Deadline and Contact Information

All proposals must be submitted no later than Monday, July 20, 2026.

For additional information regarding the application process and programme guidelines, applicants can contact Janja Škerget, ELIA Conference Manager, at janja.skerget@elia-artschools.org.

ELIA is headquartered at Lab 106, A-Lab, Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam, Netherlands. Additional information about the organisation and the Biennial Conference can be found through ELIA’s official website and social media channels.

As preparations continue for the Biennial Conference 2026, the Global Satellite Programme is expected to play a significant role in broadening participation and creating new opportunities for artistic exchange, collaboration, and international dialogue beyond the boundaries of a traditional conference setting.