Grant Program
2025
✺ Applications are now open ✺
✺ Introduction
The Singer-Zahariev Foundation has a strong belief in the value of making real-life contacts across borders and between diverse communities. Beginning in 2021-2022, the Foundation launched a program of grants to promote the aims of the Foundation which includes support for Bulgarian contemporary art institutions, artists and curators across the spectrum of the visual arts.
The main idea of the grant programme is to provide simple and non-bureaucratic funding for projects and activities which support international collaboration and connect artists and international art professionals. S-Z Foundation aims to support 5-10 projects annually.
The program was very well received, and we decided to continue it in 2025. This time, the submission process is planned to have one deadline – 15 March.
✺ Specific focus of support
✺ Exhibitions, contemporary visual art performances, workshops, on-site artistic interventions and other events.
✺ Supporting creative processes – production, documentation and performance of new artworks.
✺ Participation of Bulgarian artists in international exhibitions, biennales, festivals, and competitions.
✺ Involvement of international artists, curators, and institutions in contemporary art activities in Bulgaria.
✺ Professional development for artists through workshops, residencies and other public events.
✺ Print publications, catalogues, online events, websites etc…
✺ Visits and residences for artists and curators in Bulgaria and abroad.
✺ Promoting contemporary art activities in regional centres and rural regions in Bulgaria.
✺ Other initiatives which promote the aims of the SZ Foundation.
✺ Requirements and process
Priority will be given to projects which already have secured a significant share of the necessary funding e.g. financing from external sources (local, European or other international structures), but which have a funding gap and require additional funding to fully implement the aim of the proposed project or activity. The projects and activities should be not for profit.
The individual grant amounts will be in the indicative range of 500 to 5000 Leva.
Proposals can be submitted by individuals, public and private institutions.
Deadline for the submission of proposals for grants under the SZ CONTACT Program is 15 March 2025.
They will be reviewed and approved by the managing organ of the Foundation and evaluated according to the above criteria and the availability of budget.
It is expected that on average 4-10 projects will be approved annually for the duration of the Program.
✺ Submission process
Project proposals should be submitted by filling out this google application form.
Applicants may be asked to present the project in a personal interview and provide additional materials if necessary.
Projects selected for funding will be informed as soon as possible after the end of the respective submission deadline.
In urgent cases, where funding is needed in full before the deadline for submission, the decision on whether funding can be made available is taken in a shortened timeframe.
Project proposals should be submitted by filling out this application form.
Applicants will then present the project in a personal interview and provide additional materials if necessary.
Projects selected for funding will be informed at the end of the calendar quarter following the application. Exceptionally, projects which require faster approval can be evaluated immediately.