Photo: Thomas Meyer
Focus International
FOCUS INTERNATIONAL is a new project BMKÖS Republic of Austria. The same is true at FOCUS INTERNATIONAL BMKÖS Inclusion and culture policy focus on a specific cooperation country for a period of three years each.
The BMKÖS The program promotes international artistic and cultural exchange in both directions, preferably supporting Austrian artists and art projects in the country, but is equally committed to the internationality of Austria when it comes to artists and cultural workers within the framework of the program for Austria.
The heart of FOCUS INTERNATIONAL is the training program for cultural workers, in which young professionals from the cultural world are given the opportunity to complete a two-month internship at one of Austria’s leading cultural institutions.
The FOCUS International Trainee Program is organized in the form of an open call, which is published on the BMKÖS homepage in the autumn of each year. Scholarship holders are decided by a jury of experts.
In addition, Focus International is committed to networking Austrian cultural institutions with potential partner institutions in their respective focus country and supports at least one specific bilateral arts program offered in the focus country and in Austria.
In principle, countries selected for the FOCUS International program have or will conclude bilateral cultural agreements. In this context, the current program sees itself as a tool to revive these agreements.
tenders
Kosovo is one of the most exciting candidate countries to join the EU and has a particularly dynamic arts scene. The Cultural Work Training Program for Cultural Managers Austria – KosovoLaunched in early 2023, it was the pilot project and starting point for the entire project.
Since then, 12 young cultural managers from Kosovo have been able to work in the most interesting Austrian cultural institutions for two months each in their home country.
As we think about culture in an international, especially European context, the Republic of Kosovo was an ideal starting point for our project. European solidarity and initiative should be left only to the new partner countries, but may come from Austria.
Focus International Kosovo 2025 Call for Entries
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Europe’s importance in the world, but the big questions about the future of the planet, whether it is about democratic coexistence or tackling the climate crisis, these fundamental issues can only be solved with and in relation to the African continent. But from a purely artistic and cultural perspective, Africa is an endless source of talent and inspiration, while having the world’s fewest horizontal ties. This is where FOCUS INTERNATIONAL South Africa wants to get involved. Over three years, young cultural workers from South Africa will be invited to Austria through an open call for two months each to gain work experience in leading Austrian cultural institutions. Personal and professional connections should be developed.
It should be an encounter, an artistic discovery leading to both Austria and South Africa, from which new cultural relations and concrete projects arise.
Call for entries on Focus International South Africa 2025
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Contact:
Union Ministry of Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sports
Unit IV/10/b – International Affairs
Mac.A Karin Zimmer
Phone: +43 (1) 71 606 851113
Email: [email protected]