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Archives, as repositories of cultural memory and knowledge, are increasingly under pressure in many countries due to populist and extremist policies.Content that challenges the narratives of these policies has been censored, reinterpreted, or deleted in some regions.
FILE NOT FOUND fosters a dialogue between various international archives, some already affected by this pressure, others operating in a grey area, and some that still feel safe.At the heart of the initiative is a exchange between 10 artists and 10 cultural archives in several countries, through in-person artistic residencies. In these residencies, artists engage with existing archival practices to develop artistic approaches that reinforce archives in the face of external influences.
In this open call, which ran until February 20, 2026, we invited archives in Portugal to apply to host an artist in residence., collaborating closely throughout the development of the research and artistic work.
FILE NOT FOUND is an international initiative led by the Goethe-Institut, in collaboration with Gerador. More information about the project coming soon.
This open call is open to archives and archival institutions based in Portugal, with a collection or archival practice that can be clearly identified as:
• Archives: public or private
• Archives: independent or community-based
• Archives: cultural, artistic or research
• Archives linked to museums, libraries or cultural organizations
Format
On-site residency (mandatory) with an artist.
Duration
Up to 2 months
Period
Between September 2026 and March 2027 (exact dates to be agreed individually)
Direct financial support to the archive in the amount of €1.500
Coverage of costs related to the presence of the selected artist
Participation in an international project with other archives and cultural agents
Application deadline
February 20, 2026
Pre-selection and interviews
between February 25 and 27, 2026
Final confirmation
March 6th, 2026
Participation in the international archives meeting
March 23-26, 2026
Residency period
between September 2026 and March 2027
