Turner Contemporary invites artists to join international Dogger Bank expedition
12 November 2026
One artist or filmmaker will be selected to join an extraordinary sailing expedition across the North Sea in 2027, exploring the connections between art, ecology and the future of one of Europe's most important marine ecosystems.
Dates: 22–29 May 2027
Turner Contemporary is inviting artists and filmmakers to apply for a unique opportunity to join an international sailing expedition to the Dogger Bank in May and June 2027.
Working in partnership with the Embassy of the North Sea, Turner Contemporary will fund one artist or filmmaker to participate in the Embassy of the North Sea: Dogger Bank Expedition 2027, travelling aboard the historic sailing vessel Morgenster from Germany (Bremen port) to the UK (Ipswich) from 22 May to 29 May 2027.
The selected artist will join an international group of artists, scientists, researchers and environmental organisations exploring the ecological significance and future restoration of the Dogger Bank. Through observation, research and creative practice, they will document and interpret the expedition, developing new perspectives on the relationship between people and the marine environment.
The artist's research and creative response will contribute to the Embassy of the North Sea's Dogger Bank Days in The Hague in October 2027, an international programme bringing together art, science and public engagement around the future of the North Sea. There will also be potential opportunities to develop this work further through Turner Contemporary's One Ocean Summit in June 2028.
Located beneath the waters of the North Sea, the Dogger Bank is a vast, shallow sandbank and one of Europe's most important marine ecosystems. Supporting a rich diversity of marine life, it is an area of significant ecological importance, but one that has experienced considerable environmental pressures. The Rewilding Dogger Bank programme seeks to build awareness and support for the restoration of this vital marine landscape.
Christiane Bosman, European Programme Director, Embassy of the North Sea said: ‘The North Sea is a living ecosystem that connects countries, communities and countless forms of life. By bringing artists, scientists and researchers together on this expedition, we want to create new ways of seeing and understanding this remarkable marine environment. Artistic perspectives are vital in helping us imagine what a healthier, more resilient North Sea could look like.’
‘Artistic perspectives are vital in helping us imagine what a healthier, more resilient North Sea could look like.’
Through its involvement, Turner Contemporary is extending its commitment to connecting art, science and environmental action, building on the conversations initiated through its One Ocean Summit in 2026.
Art has an important role to play in environmental conversations. By offering different ways of seeing, questioning and imagining, artists can help make complex ecological challenges more accessible, encourage new perspectives and inspire people to consider their relationship with the natural world.
Toby Parkin, Head of Learning & Participation at Turner Contemporary, said: ‘At Turner Contemporary, we believe art can open up new ways of understanding the world around us and help us imagine different futures. The Dogger Bank expedition is an exciting opportunity to bring artists into conversation with scientists and environmental thinkers, exploring how creativity can contribute to the urgent questions facing our oceans. We are delighted to support an artist to be part of this international collaboration and to build on the conversations begun through our One Ocean Summit.’
‘The Dogger Bank expedition is an exciting opportunity to bring artists into conversation with scientists and environmental thinkers, exploring how creativity can contribute to the urgent questions facing our oceans.’
The open call welcomes applications from artists and filmmakers interested in exploring the intersections of artistic practice, ecology and environmental change. The selected participant will have the opportunity to experience the North Sea at first hand, exchange ideas with an international network of specialists and develop a creative response to an extraordinary, shared environment.
Applications are open until 30 November 2027
For full details of the opportunity, eligibility criteria and how to apply, click the link below
Notes to editors
About Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is one of the UK’s most visited contemporary art galleries and part of Margate’s vibrant creative community. Opened in 2011 and designed by David Chipperfield, the gallery presents an ambitious programme of exhibitions, events and learning opportunities inspired by JMW Turner’s legacy and his enduring connection to the town. In 2026, Turner Contemporary marks its 15th anniversary. Since opening, the gallery has played a pivotal role in the region’s cultural and economic regeneration, welcoming over 5.2 million visitors and contributing more than £146 million to the local economy.
Through its Art & Environment programme and initiatives including the One Ocean Summit, Turner Contemporary is exploring how art can contribute to conversations about climate, biodiversity, the ocean and our shared environmental future.
About the Embassy of the North Sea
The Embassy of the North Sea is an international initiative exploring new relationships between people and the North Sea. Working across art, culture, science and environmental research, it seeks to give greater visibility and representation to the more-than-human life of the sea and encourage new ways of thinking about its future.
About the Dogger Bank
The Dogger Bank is a large, shallow sandbank in the central North Sea, extending across the waters of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. It is an ecologically significant marine area, supporting diverse marine habitats and species.
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