Organizer Information
Kunstraum Memphis is a contemporary art space in Linz, Austria, whose programme has been developed since 2014 through internal initiatives and collaborations with invited contributors. Its practice engages with the intersections of art, society, politics, economics, and technology, encouraging critical inquiry and transdisciplinary approaches. With MEMPHIS CALLING, the organization is opening its programme to external curatorial perspectives through an international open call for the first time. The initiative seeks to introduce independent ideas that complement, challenge, or expand the existing programme.
Title & Description
MEMPHIS CALLING: International Open Call for Curatorial Exhibition Concepts
MEMPHIS CALLING invites curators, artists, and cultural practitioners to submit an original curatorial concept for a group exhibition scheduled for early 2027. Under the guiding question, “What haven’t we thought of yet?”, the open call encourages proposals that examine contemporary developments, conflicts, and emerging questions through experimental and interdisciplinary approaches.
Submissions may address social, political, ecological, economic, or technological issues, including themes such as digital infrastructure, memory, resistance, community, exile, and alternative forms of knowledge and production. These subjects provide context rather than mandatory themes. Applicants are encouraged to develop independent perspectives that introduce questions or approaches not yet explored by Kunstraum Memphis.
The proposed exhibition may incorporate spatial, performative, discursive, participatory, or other artistic formats. Applicants may identify participating artists and specific artworks in advance, although confirmed participants and works are not required at the submission stage. The Memphis Light Box, a 1 × 6-metre illuminated display on the building’s exterior façade, may also be incorporated into the concept.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Projects
- Contemporary Art
- Installation Art
- Performance Art
- Participatory Art
- Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Art
- Discursive and Experimental Exhibition Formats
- Text-Based Art
Eligibility
The open call welcomes international applications from curators, artists, and other cultural practitioners with curatorial experience or practices. Applications may be submitted by individuals, duos, or collectives. There is no specified nationality or age restriction in the published guidelines.
The opportunity is intended for applicants proposing exhibitions that bring together multiple artistic positions. Projects primarily focused on presenting the applicant’s own artistic work are not sought. Applicants should demonstrate the curatorial quality, coherence, and practical feasibility of their proposals.
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected proposal will receive a project budget of up to €7,500, depending on the requirements of the exhibition. The budget covers the curatorial fee, participating artists’ fees, and necessary travel, transportation, production, materials, and project-specific technical expenses. Fees are guided by the Fair Pay recommendations of Kulturrat Österreich, within the available budget.
Additional support includes exhibition space and existing infrastructure at Kunstraum Memphis, organizational and technical assistance, design and production of standard printed and communication materials, press and public relations, support for the opening and related events, and documentation for the organization’s website and social media.
The selected applicant may also undertake an optional working stay of up to ten days in Linz, with accommodation provided free of charge. Further publications, expanded documentation, and specialized communication formats are not automatically covered and must be budgeted separately or independently organized.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 October 2026
- Selection announcement: By 15 November 2026.
- Exhibition period: Mid-January to the end of February 2027.
Location
Kunstraum Memphis, Linz, Austria
Additional Details
Selection will be conducted by the Memphis team in collaboration with an external expert. Evaluation criteria include curatorial quality, conceptual coherence, and feasibility within the available space, timeframe, and budget. The selected concept will be developed further in collaboration with the Memphis team.
Applicants should account for all anticipated production and communication expenses in their preliminary budgets, particularly if their proposals require additional documentation, publications, or specialized promotional formats.