- The regional authority is providing a direct grant of €80,000 to support the professional development of resident artists and the advancement of their creative processes.
- The funding received by the Centre for Artistic Production, which operates under the City Council, places it at the forefront of the European art scene.
(Bilbao, 27 April 2026). Bilbao City Council and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, through the Department of Culture, have today unveiled a new partnership agreement to support the BilbaoArte Arts Production Centre. This institutional collaboration initiative aims to support the ongoing professional development of artists and the advancement of their creative processes.
This agreement establishes a direct grant of €80,000 from the Provincial Council to fund part of the 2026–27 Production Grants scheme for the realisation of 11 artistic projects in the form of studio grants at BilbaoArte. On this occasion, the amount has been increased by €30,000 compared to the previous financial year, which stood at €50,000.
A press conference was held this morning at Bilbao City Hall to present this collaborative initiative between institutions, attended by Gonzalo Olabarria, Councillor for Culture and Governance at Bilbao City Council; Leixuri Arrizabalaga, Provincial Councillor for Basque Language, Culture and Sport at the Provincial Council of Bizkaia; and Helena López, Deputy Director of BilbaoArte.
Gonzalo Olabarria pointed out that “in a city like Bilbao, where culture in general and art in particular play a very important role, it is essential that institutions pull together to support our artists: those who were born here, those who come from elsewhere and put down roots here, and those who come to BilbaoArte and then move on, putting to good use what they have learnt and achieved at BilbaoArte. So that, together with all the stakeholders involved, we can continue to ensure this Centre for Artistic Production has a bright future and remains a major benchmark worldwide”.
He also explained that “at the City Council, we are aware that culture generates wealth and creates jobs, and that is why we must continue to support initiatives such as this one, which brings us together with the Provincial Council of Bizkaia to help ensure that BilbaoArte continues to grow and evolve alongside its team of professionals and artists”.
Leixuri Arrizabalaga, for her part, explained that “by strengthening this partnership, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia aims to provide a direct benefit to artists, which in turn benefits society as a whole. Beyond increasing financial support, we are working towards a model that guarantees fair professional remuneration for artistic work, ensuring that it is recognised on a par with any other form of employment. We believe that by improving conditions for creators, art gains a greater presence, stability and value in our lives”.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR A LEADING VENUE
The agreement ensures the continued provision of financial support for resident artists, alongside access to studios, accommodation, technical facilities and personalised professional guidance, amongst other benefits. These conditions enable artists to devote more time and energy to developing their creative practice. This range of resources places BilbaoArte at the forefront of the European art scene, consolidating its position as a leading centre for contemporary creation since its inception 27 years ago.
The combined efforts of the institutions present at today’s launch – Bilbao City Council and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia – together with contributions from the Basque Government and BBK, which also support the municipal Centre for Artistic Production, bring to fruition the present and future of the various grant schemes, artist exchanges with international institutions, residencies and creation grants developed by the BilbaoArte Fundazioa Foundation.
This institutional commitment to joining forces is key to attracting talent, driving innovation and fostering local talent. All this, without losing sight of the objective of these grants, which aim to ensure that every artist becomes a professional in the art sector.
The interaction between artists from different countries, age groups and backgrounds at a centre such as BilbaoArte helps their projects to gain in substance and scope. The direct improvement in artists’ living and working conditions translates into better conditions for artistic production: more resources mean more time, stability and professionalisation.
GRANTS AND RESIDENCIES TO FOSTER TALENT
This year, 12 artists are benefiting from grants to carry out artistic projects in various formats: studio space at the Urazurrutia headquarters; the Silver Grant, aimed at creators aged 50 and over; and the EHU Grant, exclusively for students at the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
The grants include financial support of €14,300, accommodation in Bilbao with living expenses included, access to workshops and technical guidance from workshop tutors, professional support from the BilbaoArte team, and free access to training courses organised throughout the academic year.
In addition, a few days ago, BilbaoArte published the call for applications for the 2026–27 Production Grants for the realisation of 11 artistic projects in the form of studio residencies, which is open until 10 May. The projects will take place between September 2026 and July 2027.
BILBAOARTE
The BilbaoArte Fundazioa Foundation is an Artistic Production Centre dedicated to the training, promotion and professional development of artists, offering time, space and resources to the artistic community. Building on its history and founding principles, BilbaoArte focuses its activities on supporting contemporary artistic production processes, improving the training and professional development of artists, generating knowledge and fostering a skilled artistic community.
