Organismo 2026

Organismo | Art in Applied Critical Ecologies is not just a program; it’s an experimental ecosystem where art, research, and activism converge. Created by TBA21–Academy and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Organismo works with artists, researchers, institutions, and communities to prototype bold responses to today’s ecological urgencies.

What is Organismo?

Organismo is a six-month applied research program (January–June 2026) that blends weekly online labs with three short residencies in Spain. It is designed to go beyond reflection: participants collaborate across disciplines to create experimental prototypes for ecological and social transformation.

At its heart are the Working Cells—small, dynamic groups of participants, artistic voices (pulsos), facilitators, coordinators, and experts. Each cell self-organizes and evolves throughout the program, embodying Organismo’s commitment to collective intelligence, choral authorship, and real-world impact.

The Case Studies of 2026

This edition unfolds through five case studies, each tackling a distinct challenge:

 - The End of the Real → Navigating reality in the absence of a common truth.

 - Planetary Theatre of Tourism → Rethinking performative regimes of unproductivity.

 - Last Resorts → Exploring how climate imaginaries shape our futures.

 - Premium Stuff → Investigating storage ecologies and the logics of conservation.

 - Florestania → Prototyping communal governance systems for territorial reparation.

Each case is anchored in a local context, but together they form a global conversation.

Enrollment & Scholarships

Organismo offers two participation paths:

 - Full Enrollment (€670): Join a working cell, attend all residencies, and co-author the collective prototypes.

 - Studio Enrollment (€350): A lighter path, focused on the transversal study program (without residencies).

To ensure accessibility, scholarships (up to 30% of places) cover enrollment fees—and, for full participants, even travel and accommodation for residencies. Scholarship recipients, known as sustratos, play a vital role in evaluation and impact assessment.

How to Apply?

Applications are open until November 9, 2025 (23:59 CET).

Access the online form through the APPLY button at tba21.org/organismo and respond to the questions corresponding to the modality you want to apply to. If applying for a scholarship, respond to the specific question with this aim. Optional materials include a short video (max. 2 minutes) or a visual dossier (up to 5 pages).

We call on you to unsettle comfort, weave alliances across disciplines, and give shape to the worlds yet to come—answer the call.