An open call for artists and creative practitioners to explore experimental generative AI tools is accepting applications until 30 September 2026, with selected participants receiving €20,000 in funding for projects running from January to September 2027.
The Trust Me, I’m an AI/rtist
initiative, launched by Waag and supported by Fundsforngos, invites artists, theatre makers, choreographers, dancers, game designers, and creative technologists to submit proposals that critically engage with seven experimental AI Enablers. These tools, co-created with technologists and professionals in dance, theatre, and gaming, are designed to challenge conventional approaches to AI in the arts.
Program Structure and Objectives
The open call emphasizes critical investigation over mere adoption of AI technologies. Applicants are encouraged to explore the assumptions, cultural implications, and creative possibilities of the AI Enablers rather than focusing solely on their technical functionality. The program aims to foster artistic interventions that question how AI systems are developed, what biases they encode, and how they might be reimagined for new applications.
Selected artists will work directly with the seven AI Enablers, which are part of the Horizon Europe project HAMLET. These tools include a Generic Procedural Content Generation Enabler, a Data-Driven Cultural Content Adaptation Enabler, and a Dance Style Analysis and Generation Enabler, among others. Each Enabler is tailored to specific creative disciplines, such as 3D asset generation, audience engagement analytics, and motion analysis for dance.
Eligibility and Funding
Eligible applicants must have a VAT number in Europe and be affiliated with disciplines including visual arts, theatre, dance, game design, and creative technology. The program offers a commission fee of €20,000 excluding VAT, covering artist fees, travel, accommodation, and production costs. Final presentations are scheduled for September 2027.
A preparatory information session was held on 31 July 2026, featuring demonstrations of the AI Enablers by technology partners. Applications must be submitted via the Homerun platform, accompanied by a PDF of the completed application template. Details about the Enablers and their technical specifications are outlined in the Guide for Applicants.
Key Stakeholders and Next Steps
The initiative is coordinated by Waag, a Dutch organization focused on technology and society, and funded through the Horizon Europe project HAMLET. The AI Enablers are developed in collaboration with institutions such as The Centre for Research and Technology, Hellas, and The Audience Agency in the UK. Artists are encouraged to engage with the Enablers during their development phase, interrogating their datasets, interfaces, and underlying assumptions.
Applications close on 30 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Successful candidates will begin their projects in January 2027, with final presentations planned for September 2027. The program seeks proposals that are speculative, critical, or disruptive, aiming to push the boundaries of how AI is integrated into artistic practice.