Apply for TAIGA!
Apply for TAIGA - Unlearning and Empowerment Program for women, trans and non-binary folks working in Arts and Culture in/from Eastern Europe and the Baltics.
Are you an artist, activist or cultural practitioner interested in exploring transformative cultural leadership rooted in queer feminist and decolonial perspectives?
Would you like to build nourishing connections with like-minded practitioners from the region?
Would you like to acquire practical skills and relational tools for self and community care in times of deep socio-ecological crises?
Are you interested in exploring ways of doing cultural/artistic work that acknowledge and address the social and ecological challenges of our time?
Apply by the 30th of november to join the 7th cycle of our TAIGA Program!
Key Dates:
11th of November 2025: Application opens
30th of November 2025, midnight: Application closed
12th of December 2025: Participants are selected and notified
19th of December 2025: Participants need to confirm their participation
First weeks of January 2025: 30 min. Listening Sessions with each participant
21st of January 2026: Opening Circle, 17.00 - 19.00 CET
28.01.26 - 11.03.26: Online sessions on Wednesdays 17.00 - 20.00 CET
18th of March 2026: Closing Circle, 17.00 - 19.00 CET
What is it?
TAIGA is an Unlearning and Empowerment program born as a response to the challenges of womxn within the realms of arts and culture. It also stems from a longing for safe learning spaces to explore transformational and non-patriarchal ways of working, leading and being together.
We especially encourage people identifying as Queer and/or BPOC to apply.
microTAIGA is an online program consisting of:
Listening session before starting the program to hear your needs and respond to them;
6 Facilitated workshops;
3 Learning circles;
Workbook with self-reflection exercises, concepts, and toolboxes;
Peer-to-peer learning.
The 4 learning modules we will focus on are:
WILLOW. Self- and community care: Focused on exploring interdependence with others (humans and more-than-humans); reflecting on what care means and looks like; acquiring embodied and relational tools for self- and community care.
MOSS. Activism: Focused on exploring social power structures with an intersectional lens; reflecting on how we are all part of the problem and part of the solution; and acquiring approaches and practices for being proactive and reactive in face of injustices.
ELM. Human and Planet-Centred Practices: Focused on exploring different systems of economic organisation; reflecting on how all our practices are connected with other areas of work and the world; acquiring new perspectives on organisational structures that challenge capitalism.
MAPLE. Stewardship: Focused on exploring and broadening understanding and approaches of leadership; empowering oneself and one another; reflecting on stewardship that drives positive change, self- and community care.
Time commitment:
We ask you to book Wednesdays between 21st of January and 18th of March, for workshop sessions and learning circles. Your time commitment can vary from 2-4 hours per week or as much time as you need or want. It is up to you to decide how much you want to give and take from the community! We do ask for a commitment to attend all online meetings as this is where the magic happens - they are interactive, relational and we do not record them.
Who is it for?
women, trans and non-binary folks working in the arts and culture sector;
based in or from the Baltics and Eastern Europe;
grassroots activists who want to/already organize community spaces using art as a tool for change;
artists, curators, and producers that want to shift mainstream narratives and create spaces where marginalized people are centered;
cultural practitioners who want to develop anti-oppressive practices and transformative leadership approaches;
those committed to building communities who want to move resources and improve movement-building skills.
The past cohorts have gathered artists, designers, cultural workers, storytellers, embodiment practitioners, and community organisers — people whose practices strive for connection, meaning, and change.
WHAT THE PROGRAM CAN AND CANNOT OFFER?
TAIGA offers space for:
Self-reflection
Connection
Widening perspectives
Learning through emotions and the body
Valuing process over the result
New approaches and relational tools
TAIGA cannot offer:
Linear answers to challenges
Lecture-based sessions
Hierarchical teaching
Concrete plans/solutions
Step-by-step guides
Ready-made strategies
Participation costs
We prioritize the accessibility of TAIGA program for everyone interested; therefore, nobody will be sent back due to lack of funds.
The proposed contributions are:
Solidarity fund: 11 EUR per week - 100 EUR
Regular price: 22 EUR per week - 200 EUR
Supporter price: 33 EUR per week - 300 EUR
Prepare the application
Fill in the application form.
Be Gentle with yourself and keep it AUTHENTIC.
We want the whole of you to be part of our community!
The application results will be announced by December 12, 2025.