Inspired by the legendary 1001 Arabian Nights tale of the magic (or flying) carpet – a ‘fantastic device’ for traversing the world in the blink of an eye – Magic Carpets is a dynamic platform that propels emerging artists and curators across Europe, fostering creative exchange and storytelling in collaboration with local communities.
Now entering its next four-year cycle, Magic Carpets remains committed to increasing the visibility and circulation of emerging European talents – both artists and curators – and supporting the development of their careers through tailored responses to sector-wide needs. These include opportunities for mobility, training, professional development, and fair remuneration.
Uniting 17 cultural organisations, the Magic Carpets platform aims not only to strengthen the professional conditions of emerging talents, but also to foster mutual understanding, social cohesion, and cultural diversity within European communities – while upholding the fundamental values of the European Union.
Over the last seven years, the platform has become known for its socially engaged and responsible artistic practices, working to enhance access to and participation in cultural events, and supporting audience engagement and development.
The Journey So Far
During its first co-funding period (2017–2021), the platform developed innovative curatorial methods rooted in storytelling and inclusive, co-creative processes. Around 150 emerging artists undertook residencies in partner countries – or, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, completed projects in their home countries – working closely with local communities.
This initial cycle culminated in the Magic Carpets: Landed exhibition, which featured 57 emerging artists and was part of Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022.
The second chapter (2022–2025) focused on supporting small-scale cultural initiatives in the NGO sector and aiding the recovery of cultural professionals in the aftermath of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The closing event of this cycle – Superorganism – combined an international exhibition, symposium and storybook and was presented as part of European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.
Looking Ahead: The 2025–2028 Cycle
As the platform enters its next stage, it draws on the trust, collaboration, and co-creative ties developed so far. These foundations will support new artists and curators in navigating an uncertain global context – and in accelerating their ideas and careers.
Curator Brigita Bareikytė notes: “The 2025–2028 residencies are turning towards topics that connect people – such as food, traditional cuisines and agriculture. We are more open than ever to implementing politically strong and honest projects, speaking up and standing for the true values of humanity, no matter the current geopolitical landscape.”
The platform is now expanding in multiple directions to fulfil its mission:
Partner Network
Two new organisations are joining the platform in this cycle: Budweis – European Capital of Culture 2028 (Budweis, Czech Republic) and the Centre Claude Cahun (Nantes, France), expanding the Magic Carpets platform’s geographical coverage of European countries.
Emerging Artists’ Residencies
Each year, more than 50 international and local emerging artists will participate in residencies hosted across the platform’s member countries. These residencies will provide space, time and support for artistic development, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
Emerging Curators’ Capacity Building Programme
Taking place twice a year over a four-year period, this programme will be hosted in various European cities and will offer selected emerging curators the chance to work alongside both local and international experts. The programme will focus on co-creation with artists, community engagement, and curatorial practice in public and non-institutional spaces, equipping participants with the tools and experience to navigate diverse curatorial contexts.
Programme Coordinator Austėja Bliumkytė-Padgurskienė explains: “The Magic Carpets Emerging Curators’ Capacity Building Programme offers a unique chance for curators to grow professionally in a socially responsible, inclusive and collaborative way. In this cycle, we will continue working with both local and international artists, encouraging mutual trust among curators, and involving professionals from local cultural scenes. We will place increased emphasis on ethical curating, audience engagement, and networking across the platform.”
End-of-Year Events
Led by Artistic Director Virginija Vitkienė, the platform will organise annual end-of-year events designed to disseminate its activities and raise the visibility of participating artists and curators. Confirmed locations for these events include Wrocław, Poland (2025), Rome, Italy (2026), Liepāja, Latvia (2027), and Budweis, Czech Republic, which will hold the title of the European Capital of Culture in 2028. Further details on the full programme will be announced soon.
European Community Award – CO-CREATE & COMPREHEND
Platform members will also support the CO-CREATE & COMPREHEND European Community Award – recognising projects where communities actively share stories, resources and skills with artists and cultural professionals to foster a better cultural, emotional and social environment.
Magic Carpets is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Led by Kaunas Biennial (Lithuania), the platform includes Members: Budweis – European Capital of Culture 2028 (Budweis / Czech Republic), IDEIAS EMERGENTES – Produção Cultural, CRL (Porto (Guimarães) / Portugal), Jam Factory Art Centre (Lviv / Ukraine), Lab852 d.o.o. za promidžbu (Zagreb / Croatia), Latitudo Srl (Rome / Italy), META Cultural Foundation (Bucharest (Slon) / Romania), New Theatre Institute of Latvia (Riga / Latvia), Novo Kulturno Naselje (Novi Sad / Serbia), OPENART, Örebro Kommun (Örebro / Sweden), Openspace.Innsbruck (Innsbruck / Austria), Tbilisi International Photo Festival (Tbilisi / Georgia), Unfinished Foundation (Gzira / Malta), Wroclaw Institute of Culture (Wroclaw / Poland); Associated Partners: Centre Claude Cahun (Nantes / France), Diyalog Derneği (Istanbul / Turkey), Folkestone Fringe (Folkestone / United Kingdom).
In Lithuania, the project is financed by the Lithuanian Culture Institute.