unFinished

What remains when art cannot take place?

Since 7 October 2023, the conditions for artistic practice in Berlin have changed profoundly for many Jewish and Israeli artists, as well as artists critically engaged with antisemitism. Projects have been cancelled, collaborations discontinued and funding has failed to materialise. At the same time, social and political developments, personal experiences and changing life circumstances have reshaped artistic perspectives.

What was left undeveloped? What was never produced? What was never shown? And what might still emerge?

unFinished takes these questions as its starting point. The aim is not to document cancellations or assess institutional decisions. Instead, the project focuses on artistic works that were interrupted or could not be realised – and on the possibilities of developing them further under new conditions.

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Three perspectives on the unfinished

1. Shifting perspectives – art after 7 October

What happens to an artistic work when the conditions in which it was conceived change?

7 October 2023 and its social and political consequences have shifted artistic perspectives and raised new questions. Grief, uncertainty, antisemitism and public controversies can directly affect artistic processes.

unFinished seeks works whose development has been interrupted, altered or redirected as a result – regardless of whether they explicitly address 7 October, Israel or antisemitism.

2. Lack of funding – art without space

What happens to an artistic idea when the conditions needed to realise it are no longer in place?

Cancelled exhibitions, withdrawn invitations, unavailable funding or discontinued collaborations can prevent artistic works from being developed further or realised.

unFinished aims to create new opportunities for these works – without reconstructing or assessing the decisions that led to their interruption.

3. New contexts – Israeli artists in Berlin

What changes when an artistic work leaves the context in which it was created?

This focus area is particularly aimed at Israeli artists who have come to Berlin since 7 October 2023 and/or as a result of the war.

The focus is on works already in progress that were originally developed for different spaces, languages or social contexts and can now be translated, adapted or reimagined in Berlin.

Unfinished is not a shortcoming

unFinished understands the unfinished not as a deficiency, but as an open artistic state.

A work does not necessarily have to pick up where it left off. It can change, take on a new form or move in an unexpected direction.

The artistic process is at the heart of the project. Alongside further developed works, the public presentation may therefore also include sketches, fragments, research materials, rehearsals or discarded approaches.

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Open call – apply now

Your work isn’t finished. Neither is its story.

Have you started an artistic work that you were unable to complete? A project that was never realised or publicly presented? An idea that needs to take on a new form under changing circumstances?

We welcome applications from all artistic disciplines, including visual arts, photography, film, performance, installation, music, literature, dance, theatre, digital art and interdisciplinary practices.

The works do not need to directly address Berlin, Israel, 7 October or antisemitism. What matters is their connection to at least one of the project’s three focus areas.

The project has a particular focus on Berlin. We welcome applications from artists whose work, artistic practice or personal history has a connection to the city.

What we offer

• Needs-based coverage of costs ranging from €500 to a maximum of €5,000. The amount will be determined based on the project’s documented individual work and resource requirements, as outlined in the application.
• Access to the existing resources and infrastructure of the Institut für Neue Soziale Plastik
• Artistic guidance, feedback and critical exchange
• A public presentation of the further developed works, planned for 27 May 2027 in Berlin

The presentation is open to a variety of formats – from installations and performances to screenings, concerts, readings, discussions and open rehearsals.

How to apply

Please submit a single PDF document of no more than eight pages, including your portfolio, CV and project description.

Your application should address the following questions:

• What is your artistic work about, and how far has it progressed?
• Why was its development interrupted or altered?
• What would you like to develop further as part of unFinished?
• What steps, time and financial resources will you need?
• Will additional artistic or technical collaborators be required?

Sketches, fragments, research materials, prototypes and other preliminary work are explicitly welcome.

Selection process

Participants will be selected by the board members of the Institut für Neue Soziale Plastik. The selection criteria include artistic quality and originality, the work’s potential for further development, and the plausibility and feasibility of the proposed work plan.

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Application details

Application deadline: 8 November 2026 Language: German or English Coverage of costs: €500–€5,000, based on individual needs Public presentation: Planned for 27 May 2027 in Berlin Format: One PDF document, maximum eight pages, including portfolio and CV File name: unFinished_Name Send applications to: info[at]neue-soziale-plastik[.]org