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CALL FOR ARTISTS! Application for the 59th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje // until 15 February 2026

Dear artists, we invite you to participate in the 59th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje, which will take place from 9 to 13 June 2026 at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje, Slovenia.

ORGANIZER: Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje, within the Centre for Education and Culture Trebnje (CIK Trebnje).

The Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje is proud of its unique collection of naïve and self-taught art from around the world. Its collection is the result of more than half a century of tradition in organizing the International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje, held annually since 1968. The collection comprises around 1,500 artworks by more than 360 artists. The Trebnje Meeting is the only institution in Slovenia that provides self-taught artists with a platform for exchanging ideas, meeting, and exhibiting their works.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

The International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje is a multi-day gathering and creative event for artists who apply in advance and are selected by a professional board. Self-taught visual artists – naïve artists – are invited to apply. During the Meeting, the invited artists create their artworks and demonstrate their creative process in the gallery spaces of the organizer.

The organizer provides each participant with free accommodation and meals, reimbursement of travel expenses, and basic art materials for the duration of the event. At the conclusion of the Meeting, each participant donates at least one of their original works to the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje.

The Meeting will begin on 9 June 2026 at 10:00 in the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje.

AWARDS:

A professional jury will evaluate the artworks created during the Meeting based on their originality, relevance, and other artistic criteria, and will present recognitions and a financial award in the gross amount of €2,000. The awarded artist will also receive the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje. The announcement of the award winners will take place at the conclusion of the 59th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje on Saturday, 13 June 2026.

We warmly invite you to take part!
Online applications are open until 15 February 2026.

[Link to the online application form]

RULES FOR PARTICIPATION on 59th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje

The Meeting is organized by the Centre for Education and Culture Trebnje, unit Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje (hereinafter referred to as the organizer).
These Rules have been adopted by the organizer’s Professional Council.
The Meeting will take place from 9 to 13 June 2026 at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje (Goliev trg 1, 8210 Trebnje, Slovenia).
The term applicant, written in the masculine grammatical form in this document, is used in a gender-neutral way to refer to both women and men.
Anyone who meets the conditions and agrees to the terms of participation may apply for the Meeting.
Preference will be given to applicants who have not yet participated in the International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje.
The organizer reserves the right to invite artists directly to participate in the Meeting.
The Meeting is open to self-taught visual artists. The choice of technique and theme is left to the artists.
The application form and these Rules for Participation are available at http://www.galerijatrebnje.si/
In the application form, the artist must provide basic personal information, a short biography, documentation of past projects, 4–5 photos of original artworks, links to active websites, and a list of required basic materials.
The completed application form will be confirmed by a reply message. The organizer uses the submitted data for the promotion of the event and other legitimate purposes (documentation, future exhibitions, etc.). The applicant must inform the organizer of any data changes.
Applications are open from the date of the Call for Artists until 15 February 2026.
From all applications, the organizer’s Professional Council will select up to 10 artists, who will be notified of their selection by 31 March 2026 at the latest.
Invited artists will be provided with basic working materials, accommodation, and meals. The organizer reimburses travel expenses only upon submission of original receipts.
The basic art materials are supplied by the organizer. Any unused materials remain the property of the organizer. Additional materials needed for the planned art project must be provided by the artist.
Invited artists must arrive at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje no later than 9 June 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Exceptions are possible only with prior agreement and approval by the organizer. Upon arrival, participants will register at the Gallery and receive the event schedule.
Artists may be accompanied by guests; however, the organizer does not cover the costs of travel, accommodation, meals, or any other expenses incurred by accompanying persons.
Each participating artist donates to the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje at least one artwork created during the Meeting. The donation is unconditional and irrevocable. In accordance with the Copyright and Related Rights Act, the author transfers all economic rights to the Gallery but retains all moral rights.
During the International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje, the jury awards prizes and recognitions. The jury is appointed by the Director of the Centre for Education and Culture Trebnje and may include external experts. The jury evaluates originality of concept, relevance, and execution.
The jury’s prize consists of a financial award of €2,000 (gross) and the opportunity for a solo exhibition at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje. The jury may grant the award to a maximum of two artists.
The jury’s decisions are final and irrevocable.
Prizes and recognitions will be awarded at the conclusion of the 59th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
The organizer can be contacted by phone at +386 7 34 82 106, +386 31 371 404, or +386 7 34 82 100, by email at galerija@ciktrebnje.si or by mail at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje, Goliev trg 1, Trebnje, during gallery opening hours.
By submitting their application, artists confirm that the organizer may collect, store, process, and publish their personal data for accounting purposes, to fulfil the obligations of this call, to maintain records and statistical data, prepare documentation and reports for the competent ministry or other authorities, and for the needs and promotion of the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje, in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act (ZVOP-2)
By confirming the application form, the artist accepts these Rules and agrees that the organizer has the right to seek compensation in the event of subsequently discovered false or misleading information in the application.