SPARK Art-Science Initiative
The Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen and Art Hub Copenhagen are together launching a new Art–Science Collaborative initiative. This initiative aims to foster meaningful exchanges between artistic and scientific practices, encouraging joint exploration of the big questions that shape our understanding of life, health, and the environment.
The initiative provides a production budget and institutional support for artistic outputs emerging from art–science duos. Each project team must consist of at least one artist and one Globe Institute scientist, though multiple collaborators on either side are welcome.
The initiative provides support for artists to partner with a Globe scientist for a year to realise a joint artistic project. Applicants are invited to outline how their partnership will foster interactions and inclusion for the artist in laboratories, fieldwork, scientific approaches or any other part of the scientific process. Thereby providing the artist with inspiration, experience and an in-depth understanding of the scientific world.
In exchange the participating scientist, through exposure and interaction with the artist, can develop new perspectives and ways of understanding their own work, possibly leading to novel ideas or ways of working. The culmination of this process will be an artistic output led by the artist, inspired by, or possibly co-conceptualised with, their scientific partner. The collective outputs will benefit from the curatorial expertise at Art Hub, forming a public exhibition of the work at the conclusion of the initiative period.
This call will support five duos consisting of artist and scientist participants (artist groups or groups of scientists working on a single project are acceptable but only one award will be made per duo)
Artists will be
- From any discipline and arts background.
- Based in Denmark or internationally and without visa restrictions that would prevent participation in the initiative. We are unable to sponsor visa applications for this initiative.
- A professional artist evidenced by an existing body of artistic output.
Scientists will be
- At any career stage.
- Engaged in a research project within the Globe Institute.
- Employed at Globe for the entirety of the proposed project.
- If not a principal investigator, have explicit support of their group leader for participation.
Note - Artist(s) and scientist(s) may not appear on more than one submitted project. The duos may consist of new or existing collaborations, but the proposed project must be substantively different to previous work and new.
We particularly encourage applications from:
- Artists with an interest in the cultural and social significance of scientific research and interdisciplinary.
- Scientists open to developing new forms of research communication and exchanges.
- Collaborative teams with a strong capacity to work across disciplinary boundaries.
Conditions of support
-Artist participation support fee of 75,000 DKK
-An artistic production budget of up to 75,000 DKK for the realization of the work.
-Curatorial support for the final shared exhibition
-Access and support from Art Hub staff as appropriate
-Shared exhibition, or alternative output as mutually agreed upon'
Selection and announcement
A jury composed of representatives from AHC and Globe, and two external experts from the art-science field will review submissions. Selection will be based on the quality of the project idea, the strength of the collaboration, and its potential for public engagement.
The selected duos will be notified directly by email, and results will be published on the Globe Institute and Art Hub Copenhagen websites and social media channels.
Applicants should submit a project overview (maximum 2-page) as outlined below, and a short (1-page) CV for each partner(s) outlining their artistic/scientific practice and relevant interdisciplinary experience and skills for participation in art-science partnerships. Applications must be submitted in English by 9th March 2026. Attendance at the matchmaking is not a prerequisite for funding through the initiative. Everyone who meet the criteria are welcome to apply
Project title
A shared working title under which the work will emerge
Project participants
Artist(s) and scientist(s) involved (with PI affiliation stated for science partner if not applicant)
Project description
A project description that outlines the overall scope of the artistic project and integration with the Globe science partner. An overview of the process through which the partners will work together (e.g. participation in fieldwork, laboratory hosting, ad-hoc meetings), and a speculative statement on possible outputs and the form of the work.
Motivation
A statement on the motivation for the project and collaboration.
Applications to be received by 17:00 on 9th March to spark-art-science@sund.ku.dk
About the Globe Institute
The Globe Institute is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural and medical sciences and the humanities.
About Art Hub Copenhagen
Art Hub Copenhagen is an art institution in Denmark dedicated to facilitating and accelerating artistic development through residencies, production facilities, research programs, public events, exhibitions and interdisciplinary collaborations. By offering a wide range of diverse and tailored programming, AHC supports both emerging and established artists, curators and other art professionals in developing their practice, networks and public voice, thereby strengthening the contemporary art scene at large.
Matchmaking event
16 January, 2026 at AHC
Sign up (for Globe researchers)
Submission deadline
9 March, 2026 at 17:00
Announcement of selected projects
30 March, 2026
Project start
April 2026