The Antwerp Queer Arts Festival (AQAF) is looking for contributors in all art and activist forms for this annual queer activist event in Antwerp. These contributions can be artistic, activistic or academic. 

As long ast it starts with an a… just kidding. 

The deadline is Thursday, 17th of February 2022.

“We welcome submissions exploring gender, sexuality, queer identities, non-binarity, and counterculture”, the invitation says. 

These works can take many shapes: video, audio, podium performances such as music, theatre and dance, literature, lecture, literature, street art etcetera. “We aim for diversity, representation and queerness.”

AQAF welcomes contributions from around the world but especially encourages for queer artists and students working and or living in Belgium to send in submissions. 

Queer Lab

For starting queer artists, there’s Queer Lab. AQAF has a (not limitless) budget to accommodate young queer artists. The funding is there to cover travel expenses. Other fees need to be negotiated.

What is Antwerp Queer Arts Festival?

Antwerp Queer Arts Festival is a multidisciplinary arts festival, questioning gender and sexual diversity. It combines art with activism and academia. “For the past eight years, we have programmed both local performers and international talent within a variety of art forms: music, literature, film, dance, theatre, exposition, performance… We work with open calls and have a particular interest for new queer talent.”

AQAF is more than an arts festival. Collaborating with academia and activists, we create a space and a platform for people to express themselves and to meet others. AQAF is a grassroots initiative. It relies on community support to create the spaces and representation that we need. Your ticket purchase or donations directly supports queer performers.

AQAF 2022

AQAF is not actively communicating exact dates for 22 yet, but just states “August”. Although independent from Antwerp Pride, AQAF has always been held simultaneously with Antwerp Pride. 

Antwerp Pride 2022 is scheduled for 10 to 14 August. So expect AQAF to start at the beginning of August, hold its main events in the second week and perhaps have ‘afterparty’s’ after Pride. 

Silence

By the way. Both Antwerp Pride and The Belgian Pride (organising the Belgian Pride in Brussels) are conspicuously silent on their 2022 plans. 

The Belgian Pride ís looking for a new coordinator. 

But neither pride organisers have made some kind of New Year’s announcement.