| LAAF Open Call
We invite artists to participate in the second edition of the international LAAF (Lodz Abstract Art Festival) competition. This year, we are accepting projects that explore emotions and sensations.
Theme of the Competition
The aim of the competition is to select works that express emotions or evoke sensations through form, expression, or composition. The competition is dedicated to abstract art, where emotions are the main vehicle of meaning.
The open call is addressed to students and graduates of art schools as well as adult creators without a diploma who are actively working in the field of art. We welcome artists working in abstract art.
This year, we are asking for coherent projects instead of individual works – small exhibition concepts that form a thoughtful and strong artistic statement. Applications can be submitted in three categories: flat projects, spatial projects, and time-based projects.
| Number of Selected Artists
18 artists, announced by 15.01.2026
| Exhibition
Spring 2026, Off Piotrkowska, Łódź, Poland
| Prizes
Participation in the group exhibition, publication in the exhibition catalogue, webinar series participation, and an a cash prize of 1000 PLN
| Application Deadline
October 31, 2025
| Flat projects
e.g. painting, graphics, drawing, photography, textiles
| Spatial projects
e.g. sculpture, 3D objects, immersive installations
| Time-varying projects
e.g. film, generative art, performance, time-based installations
- Open to artists from Poland and abroad.
- Works must be finished pieces.
- Submissions must be the sole property of the applicant and created by them.
- By submitting, participants declare that the work does not infringe on the rights of third parties.
Applications must be submitted via the online form.
Required materials:
- Photos of the works in JPG format (300dpi)
- Video files (google drive, youtube, vimeo, dailymotion), static shot possible for presentation in an album
- Project description (1500 characters)
- Bio (500 characters)
- Artist statement (1500 characters)
Each category will be assessed by two jurors whose expertise complements one another:
| Category 1 (Flat Projects)
Franciszek Ammer
Fotofestiwal representative, photography
Agata Szwajcowska
LAAF Association representative, painting
| Category 2 (Spatial Projects)
Tomasz Haladaj
artist, sculpture
Marta Krześlak
artist, immersive installations
| Category 3 (Time-Based Projects)
Łukasz Ogórek
artist, curator, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz, new media
Jan Barnaś
LAAF Association representative, film
| head of the jury
Estera Lipman
Head of the Jury, representative of the LAAF Association
| 11.08.2025 - 31.10.2025
Submission of entries
| 01.11.2025 - 30.11.2025
jury deliberations
| 31.11.2025
announcement of the list of Finalists
| 01.12.2025
Individual notification of Laureates of their Project qualification
| 02.12.2025 - 31.12.2025
Confirmation of participation in the Competition by sending the Laureates’ works*
*If the works are not received by the Organizer by 31.12.2025, disqualification will occur. A place in the Exhibition is offered to the next person on the reserve list.
| 15.01.2026
announcement of the list of Laureates
| 01.02.2026 - 15.02.2026
Album publication
| 15.02.2026 - 28.02.2026
organization of Webinars
| 28.02.2026
Transfer of payments
| 17.04.2026
Exhibition opening
| 17.04.2026 - 03.05.2026
Exhibition display
| 04.05.2026 - 18.05.2026
return of the competition works (date of shipment)
Please direct any questions to:
Or contact us via social media:
@laaf.lodz
You can find all the details about participation, terms and conditions in the full terms and conditions available on our website.
| Who can participate?
Artists working in the field of abstract art
| Can a project be submitted to two different categories?
No, if all the elements of the project then the submission goes to category , if there is at least one spatial element then the submission goes to category 2, if there is a time-varying element then the submission goes to category 3.
| How many projects can be submitted?
2.
| How does the LAAF define Abstraction?
For us, abstraction is not only a form of non-representational art, but above all it is a way of thinking and feeling. Focused on ideas, forms, concepts beyond the traditional schemes of perception. This type of work invites the viewer to individual interpretation and personal reflection.
| What are the categories?
Flat designs, Spatial designs, Time-varying designs.
| Can I submit more than 1 work?
Yes, the subject of the competition is projects that have a coherent artistic message.
| What are the technical requirements?
Technical requirements are divided into two parts: those for entire projects and individual components.
1. whole project requirements:
Submissions can be for projects in one of three categories, with a specific limit on display space:
Flat design - a maximum of 10 meters in length of the display wall.
Spatial design - a maximum of 12 m² of floor space and 10 meters of wall length.
Time-varying design - a maximum of 10 meters of wall length or 12 m² of floor space and 10 meters of wall length.
2 Dimensions of the various elements of the project:
Flat elements
(e.g., paintings, graphics) - maximum size: 2 m x 2 m
Spatial elements
(e.g., sculptures, objects) - maximum dimensions: 1.9 m (height) x 0.8 m (width) x 1.2 m (depth)
| Until when can I submit applications?
Applications will be accepted until 31/10/2025 (11:59 pm).
| How to report a job?
Applications should only be submitted via online google forms (link).
| Is my application anonymous?
Yes.
| Can collectives submit works?
Yes, but keep in mind that the salary will be divided equally among the members of the collective.
| What are the rewards?
Participation in the exhibition and presentation of works in an album, participation in a series of webinars, remuneration worth PLN 1000.
| When and where will the exhibition be held?
Lodz, Off Piotrkowska, Spring, 2026.
| How can I contact you?
By email: j.jakubczyk.laaf@gmail.com
| Where can I find more information?
| What will the webinars be about and what is their format?
Those who are interested are invited to webinars. These will be group meetings with artists, during which we will talk about their work, motivations and artistic process. We will delve into what they create, what they call their works, what inspires them and what their creative process was like. The meetings aim to better understand their philosophies and inspirations.
| Can I resubmit a project submitted in the previous edition?
Yes, unless the elements of your project have already participated in previous editions of LAAF. We care about the freshness of each iteration of the festival :)
Creative department
creative@lodzabstractartfestival.comMedia Department
media@lodzabstractartfestival.com