Horizons d'eaux 2026: call for artistic projects
Les Abattoirs is launching a call for projects for the creation of an original work for the Le Tourmente barge at the Convivencia Festival. This is a unique opportunity to participate in an exceptional anniversary edition that showcases the heritage of the Canal du Midi.
An artistic project along the water
As part of the European RELIGHT programme and in partnership with Voies navigables de France, Les Abattoirs is reviving the Horizons d'eaux artistic trail for a special edition in 2026. This year marks a double anniversary: 30 years since the Canal du Midi was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 30 years since the first Convivencia Festival.
Since 2017, Horizons d'eaux has been creating a dialogue between contemporary creation and river heritage. Artists such as Joël Andrianomearisoa, Maya Rochat, Béatrice Utrilla, Samir el Kordy and Amélie Bertrand have used the boats La Naïade and Le Tourmente to create veritable floating works of art.
The Canal du Midi, a major 17th-century innovation and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become a laboratory for sustainable cultural tourism, a testing ground for artistic experimentation and a driver of regional development. This project is part of a collaborative effort with cultural, tourism and institutional stakeholders in the regions it passes through, with a particular focus on the history of the Canal du Midi and the specific characteristics of the regions it crosses, paying particular attention to its natural environment.
The artistic commission
The temporary work will be installed on the barge Le Tourmente, which will become a floating stage from late June to late July 2026. It will make 15 stops between Tarn-et-Garonne and Hérault, passing through Haute-Garonne and Aude.
The creation will have to adapt to the barge's dual purpose: navigation on the canal and configuration as a concert stage. The selected artist will have complete freedom in the choice of materials, while respecting the environment and public safety.
Key dates to remember
- 23 February 2026: Deadline for applications
- March 2026: Sketching phase for the three shortlisted artists
- April-June 2026: Creation of the artwork
- 27 June 2026: Inauguration of the Convivencia Festival
- June-July 2026: Tour of the canal with 15 stops
How to participate
The selection process takes place in two stages. First, candidates submit an application including their CV, accompanied by a biography, an artistic portfolio and a statement of intent of no more than one page. Three artists will be shortlisted by a steering committee composed of representatives of the partners, technical experts and professionals from the arts sector.
The selected artists will then receive detailed specifications and will be invited to develop a complete project with technical studies, sketches and a provisional budget.
Particular attention will be paid to artists with proven experience in creating works in public spaces, as well as their ability to adapt and engage in dialogue with the various stakeholders involved in the project.
Téléchargements
Contact
Emmanuelle Hamon
Head of Artistic Projects, Occitanie Region
Les Abattoirs, Museum – Frac Occitanie Toulouse
emmanuelle.hamon@lesabattoirs.org
This call for applications is part of the European RELIGHT programme, in partnership with the French government, Voies navigables de France, the Occitanie Region and the Convivencia Festival.