Open Call: Behind the Scenes (Yemen)

The Goethe-Institut Jordan is inviting artists and cultural practitioners residing in Yemen to apply for the “Behind the Scenes” grants under the Yemen Creative Hubs programme. The initiative will provide 14 grants of €1,500 each for artistic and socio-cultural projects that explore mental health themes such as anxiety, loneliness, fear, trauma, depression, and emotional distress through creative expression.

About the Yemen Creative Hubs “Behind the Scenes” Grant

The Yemen Creative Hubs programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut together with consortium partners. The programme supports artists and cultural practitioners in Yemen by creating opportunities for artistic expression, experimentation, and socio-cultural engagement in Aden, Mukalla, Sana’a, and Taiz. The “Behind the Scenes” grant focuses specifically on the relationship between art, emotional wellbeing, and mental health. Artists are encouraged to explore emotions and experiences that are often hidden or difficult to express publicly. Projects can use different artistic disciplines to make these experiences visible, tangible, and open to discussion. What Is the “Behind the Scenes” Theme? The theme encourages applicants to creatively explore internal emotional experiences that may remain invisible to others.

Possible themes include:

Loneliness and isolation Anxiety and fear Depression Trauma Inner tension Deep worries Emotional distress Hidden feelings Personal or collective experiences affecting mental wellbeing The programme views artistic expression as a way to explore, communicate, and potentially transform experiences related to mental health. Applicants do not need to work exclusively in traditional visual arts. A wide range of creative disciplines is eligible. Grant Amount and Funding Details

Each selected project will receive:

Grant amount: €1,500

Number of grants: 14

Total number of supported projects: 14

Approximate value in USD: $1,600 per grant

Project implementation period: November 2026 to March 2027

The grant is intended to support artistic and socio-cultural projects that respond meaningfully to the “Behind the Scenes” theme. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project is realistic within the available funding and implementation period. Eligible Artistic Disciplines The programme accepts applications across a broad range of artistic and cultural practices. The programme aims for at least 50% of the grants to be awarded to women. This emphasis is intended to encourage broader and more diverse participation in Yemen’s creative and cultural sector. Why This Grant Matters The “Behind the Scenes” programme connects creative practice, cultural participation, and mental health awareness. Many emotional experiences remain difficult to communicate through conventional public discussions. Artistic methods can provide alternative ways to express personal and collective experiences.

The programme can therefore help artists:

Explore difficult emotional themes through creative work. Encourage conversations about mental health. Create culturally relevant forms of expression. Connect personal experiences with wider social issues. Strengthen creative and socio-cultural activity in Yemen. Give greater visibility to experiences that are often overlooked. The initiative also contributes to the broader development of creative spaces and opportunities for artists in Yemen. What Types of Projects Could Be Proposed? A strong proposal should clearly connect the artistic approach with the “Behind the Scenes” theme.

Potential project concepts could include:

A photography project exploring loneliness among young people. A short film examining anxiety and hidden emotional experiences. A theatre or performance project about trauma and recovery. A sound-art project representing fear, isolation, or inner tension. A visual storytelling project exploring depression and social stigma. A textile or mixed-media project representing emotional memories. A digital art project examining invisible aspects of mental wellbeing. An oral storytelling project exploring personal experiences of emotional distress. These are examples of possible approaches rather than prescribed project formats. How the Grant Works Selected artists will receive financial support to develop and implement their approved artistic projects during the programme period.

The projects must be implemented between:

November 2026 and March 2027 The proposed work should therefore be achievable within the available timeframe and €1,500 grant budget. Applicants should focus on developing a clear connection between: Mental health theme → artistic concept → activities → expected creative or social outcome How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should develop a proposal that is clear, focused, and directly connected to the programme theme.

1. Define the Mental Health Theme

Identify the emotional or mental health issue your project will explore.

For example:

Anxiety Loneliness Trauma Fear Depression Hidden emotional struggles

2. Explain the Artistic Concept

Describe what you want to create and why your chosen artistic medium is appropriate. Explain how the creative work will make the selected theme visible or understandable.

3. Describe the Activities

Clearly outline what you will actually do during the project. The maximum grant is €1,500, so the project should be appropriately scaled. Budget planning should demonstrate how the available funding will directly support project implementation.

5. Demonstrate Your Artistic Experience

Applicants should present relevant artistic or cultural experience that demonstrates their ability to complete the proposed project. Previous artistic work, portfolios, exhibitions, performances, publications, or other relevant activities can help establish credibility where requested by the application process.

6. Consider Inclusion

Projects that thoughtfully consider participation and representation can align well