Rules

Biennale Larnaca: Terms, rules, conditions and general information. Please read through

*Participation is open to all artists, professionals or amateurs, art students, designers and photographers who are 18 years old or above, on the 31st of March 2025 inclusive. Groups of artists are also entitled to participate as a team with a single proposal. An artist can apply as a member of a group and also apply for solo participation.

  • Participants must send the application form with up to three photos of the suggested work, (an entire image of the work and one or two photos of selected details) in jpeg form smaller than 3MB (3,000k) with at least 1,800 pixels on its shorter side. It is important to provide professional quality digital photos (300dpi) of your work because these will be used in the printed catalogue of the exhibition, provided that your work is selected. If you wish, you may also write up to a 200-word statement about your work. The application form should be completed in English.
  • Artists who intend to participate with installations should also send photos of their work, or a good 3D rendering of their proposal, or at least three photos of sketches of their work and write on the application form up to 200 words supporting their proposal. Video artists should send a still from their proposed video and the video or video link and write on the application form up to 200 words supporting their proposal. The format of the video should be MP4, Codec H.264 and the duration of the video should not exceed 5 minutes.

Performance artists should also send three photos and a video, or link of their performance and write a statement up to 200 words for their proposal.

  • Deadline for submissions is the 31st of March 2025 inclusive.
  • Application fees are €50= for individual artists, €75= for groups of two artists and €100= for groups of 3 artists up to 5. The fees apply for a single proposal. Any additional proposal an additional fee applies.  The application fees are non-refundable.
  • Size of works. There are no general restrictions concerning the dimensions of works but due to limited space in the exhibition places the organizers suggest that works should remain in moderate dimensions. In general, works on walls should not exceed 2.5m height X 5m width and installations must not exceed the size of a room measuring 4mx6mx3m.
  • Material, technique, style and medium for works is open. Installation artists or artists with very large works and works that will be placed in open space, may be asked to install their work on their own on a certain date arranged with the Biennial curator. The participants should arrange for all technical matters and materials for their works. Performance artists will collaborate with the curator of the biennial concerning the dates and place they will perform. Their performance will be added to the Larnaca Biennale Map and events calendar. The Biennial organizers will cover transport expenses and accommodation for the Installation and performance artists (limitations apply).

Regarding Video Artists, the Biennial Curator will choose how their videos will be displayed. That might be on a big screen on a loop along with other artists, or a TV set, or a projector. There is no charge for the use of this equipment.

  • All works should conform to safe display and health safety. Therefore, all participants should have their works ready for display with professional hanging systems or professional framing if necessary and they should have in mind that the works will be displayed in a place with visitors of all ages. Works made with any dangerous, loose, toxic or leaking materials, wet paint etc., might not be accepted.
  • Works that do not match the quality or are not identical with the photos submitted will be rejected.
  • The committee reserves the right to reject works for various reasons.
  • The Larnaca Biennale will grand a total of 13 + awards. The Grand Prix of the Biennial, 3 awards of Excellence and 6 awards for short listed artists. The 11th is an Award for best presentation by a Cypriot Artist. The 12th and 13th awards, ‘’Artist of the world award’’ and ‘’Artist of the Mediterranean award’’ will be awarded by WAVA World Association of Visual Arts. The winners will be announced and awarded at the opening ceremony on the 15 of October 2025.
  • The decision of the selection of the committee is final.
  • No member of the selection committee is allowed to compete. First degree relatives of the committee are also excluded from the competition.
  • Communication between the organizers and participants will be conducted via e-mail.
  • All participants will be notified by email whether their work has been selected, by the second week of May 2025.
  • Participant artists may also take part in parallel events or assist the Biennial as volunteers.
  • The deadline for delivery and final installation of selected works is Wednesday 17 of September 2025. The delivery period has been set from Wednesday 3 of September 2025 to Wednesday 17 of September 2025. Each artist will be notified by email as where her/his artwork will be sent. Works will be returned right after the completion of the exhibition and the postal services will be notified to collect the works from the exhibition center. All exhibition spaces should be empty the latest two weeks after the completion of the Biennial. The expenses for delivering and returning of works will be paid by the participants.
  • Participants may deliver and collect their works personally, on the dates as above.
  • Artists with large installations will cooperate with the curator and the organizers for the display of their works. It will be their responsibility to set up their work, and their presence is obligatory. The Biennale organizers will provide free transport and free accommodation for these artists. (limitations apply).
  • Packaging. Unless you deliver your work personally, please make sure that your work is shipped in a professional package to ensure safety during transport and storage. The box will be kept by the organizers for the return of your work.
  • Works that will not be delivered on time will be excluded from the exhibition and competition.
  • The selected works will be exhibited in various established exhibition venues in Larnaca center and Larnaca district. Outdoor installations will be added to the Larnaca Biennale official map.
  • Successful participants will receive invitations for the opening ceremony via e-mail and a pass for two persons for the private reception after party on the 16 of October 2025. They will also receive a complimentary copy of the exhibition catalogue. Successful participants who will visit Larnaca during the exhibition are advised to inform the organizers, so as to receive any possible help or guidance about their stay and about the exhibition and its parallel events. The Biennial organizers will offer free or discounted air tickets for artists to visit Larnaca for displaying their work or as visitors upon availability and priority. Priority will be given to artists that have to set their installations and performance artists. Furthermore, the organizers will provide free or discounted accommodation in selected hotels based on availability. In addition, they will be given a package of offers and discounts in selected amenities in Larnaca. Participating artists from abroad will be offered free transportation to and from Larnaca airport to Larnaca.
  • Although the organizers will handle, display and take care of the works, they will not be responsible for any damages or loss during transport, packaging, unpackaging and exhibition of the works. Therefore, the selected artists are advised to insure their works for all possible risks during transport and display.
  • Although the participants own the copyright of their works, the organizers of the Biennial reserve the right to use photos of the works in the exhibition catalogue, in any public media, written or electronic and/or the social media and other sites of the Biennial. Also, visitors will be allowed to take photos of all venues and displayed works. Furthermore, the organizers will not accept responsibility for use or misuse of photos taken at the exhibition by visitors and others, or photos downloaded from the web page of the Biennial.
  • No work chosen for display can be removed for any reason before the end of the exhibition.
  • Works exhibited are not for sale and the Biennial organizers cannot be asked to take part, or be responsible for any transaction between participants and possible buyers.
  • A participant artist may offer its work as a gift to the Larnaca Biennale. If accepted this will be kept at the Larnaca Biennale archive and maybe offered as a loan to public exhibitions and collections or as otherwise agreed by the two parts.
  • Participant artists are not allowed to display any printed or promotion material at the exhibition spaces.
  • All participating and applicant artists must comply with the terms and conditions of the Biennial. In the event of not complying with the terms, conditions and rules of the Biennial, the organizers reserve the right to refuse or disqualify any work and participant.
  • By applying for participation and or participating to the Larnaca Biennale you accept the terms, conditions and rules applied by the organizers.