Short Description
Founded in 1969 on a grassroots democratic model, neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst (New Society for Visual Art, https://ngbk.de/en/institution/) is an art society funded by the City of Berlin. With its program of exhibitions, events, and mediation, it creates spaces for discourse within society and fosters debate. Establishing itself early on as a location for contemporary art and exhibition production, the nGbK has influenced generations of curators, artists, and cultural producers with pioneering experimental exhibition concepts.
This two-stage open call for curatorial projects invites existing and future members of the nGbK to submit proposals in one of three categories (see below) online by October 12, 2025 The nGbK’s program for 2027 will be selected from the projects submitted by a vote at the 169th general assembly on January 24, 2026.
Projects may be submitted in the field of fine art and related disciplines, not only group exhibitions but also solo shows, events, and other presentation formats. Whatever format is chosen, it must ensure a continual annual program for the nGbK location on Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse. The nine-week timeslots set by the office team must be strictly adhered to, and project scheduling must be clearly reflected in the proposal. Further information on requirements for project proposals, project funding by the nGbK, and other funding options, as well as active art society membership, can be found in the Q & As at the
end of this document, or by calling the nGbK office for advice.
Proposals may be submitted in one of three categories with different conditions. Projects are either funded entirely by the nGbK (Category A) or receive only initial funding from the nGbK (Categories C and N). The three categories are described in detail below:
Category A: one-year projects funded by nGbK
Work groups in this category may consist of experienced project organizers and of persons wishing to gain initial experience with project implementation.
- Realization period: January 2027– December 2027
- Max. total budget €74,999 (subject to funding); funds are available from January 2027 and should cover all project costs; third-party funding is not permitted in this category.
- An exhibition or events series must take place at the location on Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse throughout the duration of the project. Addi- tional locations are possible, e.g. the station urbaner kulturen/nGbK Hellersdorf or locations by other cooperation partners.
Category C: projects with external funding
This category is designed to facilitate the preparation of a larger-scale project by work groups with previous curatorial experience, providing initial financial support while additional project-specific external funding is applied for.
- Realization period: from 2027.
- Applications for third-party funding (e.g., from Hauptstadtkulturfonds, Kulturstiftung des Bundes, or the Berlin Senate’s open fund) will be made with the support of and in consultation with the office team. From 2027, the nGbK itself provides up to €16,000 in funding for each project.
- Once third-party funding has been secured, an activity (exhibition, event series, etc.) must take place in 2027 (or at the latest in 2028) in the nGbK exhibition space at its location on Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse or at the station urbaner kulturen/nGbK Hellersdorf. Further venues are possible via cooperation partnerships.
- Those applying for this funding must have proven curatorial experience, documented in the form of up to three reference projects by at least one of those applying.
Category N: external funding, local neighborhood
This category is designed to facilitate the preparation of a project by work groups with previous experience in curating and mediation, providing initial financial support while additional project-specific external funding is applied for. This new format aims to focus increased attention on the nGbK’s historical-political context, urban situation, and local neighborhood on and around Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse.
- Realization period: from 2027.
- Applications for third-party funding will be made with the support of and in consultation with the office team. From 2027, the nGbK itself provides up to €4,000 in funding for each project.
- Once third-party funding has been secured, an activity must take place in 2027 (or at the latest in 2029) at an outdoor location around the nGbK location on Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse or at the additional nGbK location in Hellersdorf. The specific urban space of the historical city center between the churches of St. Mary and St. Nicholas (Marienkirche, Nikolaikirche) can be used as an anchor for art-based curatorial projects. A partnership exists between the nGbK and Museum Nikolaikirche/Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin for this purpose. Further information about Museum Nikolai-kirche is available from the office team. In Hellersdorf, interesting locations include Alice-Salomon-Platz and Kastanienallee.
- Those applying for this funding must have proven experience in curating and mediation, documented in the form of up to three reference projects by at least one of those applying.
Eligibility
The nGbK only realizes projects proposed by its own members in work groups of at least five people. Work group members may have an art-historical, political-activist, sociological, or applied-arts background. Work group members must not necessarily be members of the nGbK at the time of
application, but must join at the latest after their project has been selected by the general assembly. Only in exceptional cases where it can be justified in curatorial terms may members of the work group show their own works in an exhibition. Based on past experience concerning project realization and work within the nGbK, it is recommended that at least three members of the work group be based in Berlin.
Submission Requirements
- Personal Info
- Project concept
- Information on the work group
- Schedule
- Financial plan
How to Apply
Please register by mail to: office@ngbk.de
Entry Fee
None
Location
Berlin, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 12 October 2025
Website Link: https://ngbk.de/en
