Outdoor Arts Portugal launches an annual programme dedicated to supporting emerging artists in the creation of original works in the fields of street arts and contemporary circus, accompanying all stages of development, from the initial concept to the public premiere. The Outdoor Arts Portugal Creation Grant 2026 has been awarded to two projects that stood out for their artistic consistency, conceptual clarity, and feasibility within the context of public space creation.

This edition received 23 applications, of which 21 were deemed eligible for assessment. The selection was carried out by a panel composed of representatives from Bússola/Outdoor Arts Portugal, 23 Milhas (Ílhavo), Casa Varela (Pombal), and Ponto C (Penafiel), based on the criteria set out in the open call guidelines: aesthetic and dramaturgical innovation, coherence and feasibility of the proposal, contribution to the sector, and touring potential.

The two selected projects are:

Homúnculo, by Homens dos copos - George Swattridge and Rafael Gonzalez

À Deriva, by Fernando Nogueira

Both projects will receive financial support, artistic residencies with technical and dramaturgical mentoring, a dramaturgy lab, communication support, and their premieres will be integrated into circuits with international visibility, within a shared co-production model involving the four partner organisations. The Creation Grant aims to support proposals that invest in new dramaturgies and modes of engagement with public space, contributing to the affirmation of early-career artists and the strengthening of networked contemporary creation.

The 2026 edition reaffirms its commitment to experimentation, mobility, and the sustainable development of artistic creation, reinforcing the role of public space as a site for encounter, circulation, and critical reflection.