Mekong Cultural Hub (MCH) is calling for applications from culture practitioners in Asia to participate in the Curated Conference programme for 2025, with an in-person gathering in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 16 to 18 October 2025.

The aim of this programme is to create space for diverse cultural practitioners to discuss and explore topics that concern them, and to be able to share the outcomes of their discussions with a wider public audience. There are two topics for this year’s conference programme, both inspired by our theme Building Bridges:

• Economic Empowerment through Creative Work, curated by Sasiwimon Wongjarin (Aom), Studio 88 (Thailand)
• The Citizens of In-Betweens, curated by Andrei Venal, DAKILA (Philippines)

There will be two groups selected with 4–6 people each. There will be monthly online exchanges Feb–July 2025 and the preparation for public sharing August–September 2025, followed by public sharing at the meeting in October 2025.

The working language is English. 

Eligibility

• Diverse practitioners working closely with art and culture field (including artists) with interest and experience to contribute to a durational conference on one of the two topics proposed by the curators
• From anywhere in Asia (citizens from Cambodia and Lao PDR are strongly encouraged to apply)

Support

All expenses for participating in Meeting Point will be covered by the organisers as well as a 300 USD stipend per participant. 

Mekong Cultural Hub 2025 conference application guidelines 

Deadline: 17 November 2025

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