Short Description
The SMU has developed a new structure for exhibition planning. We want to make the planning process transparent and give interested parties the opportunity to contribute their exhibition ideas to our program planning.
Exhibitions at the SMU are planned two years in advance. Twice a year (once in spring and once in autumn), a program meeting is held to present and discuss proposals for possible exhibitions. The board, management, and leadership team participate in this meeting. Together, this committee decides which exhibition projects are interesting and feasible for the SMU. These decisions always apply to the year after next. One to three projects are selected each year.
It is important to note that a positive decision at the program meeting does not mean that the exhibition will actually be implemented. Since the SMU has hardly any exhibition budget of its own, we have to finance every exhibition through external funding. At the program meeting, we decide which projects we want to apply for funding for in the following year. This means that at the 2025 program meetings, we will decide what to apply for funding for in 2026, and if successful, the exhibition can then be developed and shown in 2027.
What exhibitions can I suggest to the SMU?
The SMU presents exhibitions that raise topics for discussion from a queer perspective. The topics are open and can be viewed from an artistic, historical, or cultural-historical perspective. A mix of all three formats or a completely different, new approach is also conceivable. Exhibitions can be designed for spaces with an area of 140, 235, or 375 square meters. An overview of previous exhibitions can be found here.
Exhibition concepts should take into account the SMU’s mission statement and be designed to be as barrier-free and accessible as possible. Exhibitions and curators should reflect on their own position and work in a manner that is sensitive to discrimination. It is desirable that the exhibitions incorporate the Schwules Museum’s collection, but this is not a prerequisite.
We do not usually hold solo exhibitions by individual artists, but art exhibitions featuring several artistic positions are possible.
Who can propose an exhibition to the SMU?
We are a museum founded by the queer community and see ourselves as part of it. Accordingly, we particularly encourage people from queer communities to submit their exhibition projects. Curators, artists, activists, or individuals committed to a particular topic can all contribute an idea—regardless of whether they have previous exhibition experience.
The SMU values self-representation, i.e., we want curators to have a connection to the respective community or topic and/or to involve groups and individuals with these identities. This means, for example, that we would not organize an exhibition on a trans* topic that is developed by a team of curators who are exclusively cisgender, etc.
What do I submit as a concept?
We require a brief, concise concept that outlines your exhibition project, is generally understandable, and clearly explains the theme, its relevance, and the form in which it will be discussed. Images of the objects, artworks, or scenography are helpful, as is a rough estimate of the potential costs. Concepts may be submitted in German or English.
Please also send us a few words about yourselves—who you are, what experience you have with the topic, with exhibitions, etc., how you position yourselves, and perhaps how you work. Your proposal does not have to be a finished application text; we just want to get to know you and your project idea in 4–5 pages.
Submission Requirements
– Exhibition outline (what theme, how it should be presented, possible artists or objects)
– Information about yourselves as curators
– Visual material (artworks, objects, or exhibition design); larger files such as videos can be sent as links via a file-sharing platform
How to Apply
Please send your exhibition proposal in a PDF document with a maximum file size of 2 MB to Collin Klugbauer (they/them) at the following email address: ausstellungen@schwulesmuseum.de
Program Benefits & Awards
If the decision is positive, we will work with you to develop a joint application for funding. This means that we will need to turn the idea into a comprehensive project description (usually 10 pages), a financial plan, and possibly other aspects (barrier removal, educational concepts, press concepts). Unfortunately, we cannot compensate you for the joint preparation of the funding application. The exhibition can only be realized if this application is successful.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Berlin, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 August 2025
Website Link: https://www.schwulesmuseum.de/presseaktuell/call-for-proposals-fuer-die-ausstellungsplanung-im-smu/?lang=en
