The day has finally come! With the publication of the Open Call, we are officially launching the 20th edition of the ibug Festival.

For 20 years we have been combining urban art with industrial culture. Using painting, graffiti, stencils, paste-ups, illustrations, installations and multimedia art, we transform abandoned industrial buildings into an exhibition that can be experienced. In doing so, we also want to bring the industrial wasteland and its history into the focus of public perception and thus create an opportunity to engage with the past and future of the site.

Once again, we would like to invite you to engage with the specific location, the environment and/or the history.

If you would like to take part this year, please answer the following questions:

  • Who are you as an artist(s)?
  • Why do you want to take part in ibug?
  • How can we find you on social media?
  • Which of your current works present you best?

Please write us a few words in which you respond to the questions and send us 3-5 photos or videos (jpg, png, mp4) of your current work.

We don’t like to see finished portfolios or commissioned work.

Please send your application by e-mail to: artist@ibug-art.de

The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2025 23:59 (CEST)

We can hardly wait to show you the site. But in keeping with good old tradition, we will keep the venue a secret for as long as possible. We can only reveal this much: this year’s edition will take place as part of the official program of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025.

An important part of the ibug festival is the creative phase, during which you can develop and realize your works on site. So please mark this time in your calendar. The creative phase is expected to take place from August 1 – 15, 2025. In consultation with you, we will see which period suits you best.

The timeline at a glance:

  • Application phase: January 31 – February 28, 2025
  • Deadline for submissions: February 28, 2025 23:59 (CEST)
  • Curation and announcement: End of March 2025
  • Creative phase: August 01 – August 15, 2025
  • Festival weekends: August 22 – 24 / August 29 – 31 / September 05 – 07, 2025