Curators’ Agenda: VIENNA 2026

INTENSIVE RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR EMERGING INTERNATIONAL CURATORS ORGANIZED BY DAS WEISSE HAUS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS VIENNA.

Application deadline: February 28, 2026 (23:59 CET)
Program duration: September 15 – November 10, 2026
Program location: Vienna, Austria (DAS WEISSE HAUS, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, different locations around Vienna)

Are you an emerging curator seeking to deepen your curatorial practice within an international, research-driven context?

Curators' Agenda (C'A) offers an intensive residency in Vienna that combines theory, hands-on exhibition making, sustained professional exchange and collaborative learning within an international peer group.

Launched in Vienna in 2015 by the Vienna-based organization BLOCKFREI, Curators' Agenda has been realized since 2024 within the annual program of DAS WEISSE HAUS, in partnership with the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. Building on the excellent outcomes of its 2024 and 2025 editions, we are pleased to announce the open call for Curators' Agenda: VIENNA 2026.

For whom is C'A designed?

C'A is designed for emerging curators from all around the world who seek to engage with Vienna’s contemporary art scene and are eager to immerse themselves in its diverse narratives and practices, while deepening their knowledge of exhibition-making through both theoretical reflection and hands-on curatorial experience.

C'A Program Structure and Components

The Curators' Agenda (C'A) is structured as an integrated program that combines theoretical reflection, curatorial practice, professional skills development, and direct engagement with Vienna’s contemporary art scene.

The residency program concludes with a collectively co-curated group exhibition at DAS WEISSE HAUS, scheduled to open between 7–9 November 2026. The exhibition will be conceived and developed within the seminar Exhibition Making: Theory and Practice, led by curatorial mentor and supervisor Anamarija Batista, PhD, at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. The seminar guides participating curators through all stages of exhibition making, combining theoretical discussion and critical exchange with hands-on curatorial practice, including the development of a shared exhibition concept, curatorial positioning, text writing, and artwork selection. Artists—students and recent alumni of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna—will be selected through an open call and invited to present their work to the curators.

The conceptual framework of the final exhibition will align with the overarching theme of the 2026 annual program at DAS WEISSE HAUS: IN(TER)DEPENDENCE. This framework proposes an understanding of shared existence that moves beyond notions of independence and dependence, emphasizing relationality, mutual support, and interconnection between human and more-than-human actors. In 2026, DAS WEISSE HAUS will focus on artworks, projects, and installations situated at the intersections of science, art, and technology, exploring themes of symbiosis, solidarity, and survival.

Complementing the seminar and exhibition process, the program includes a range of equally essential components designed to provide practical knowledge, professional orientation, and meaningful engagement with the local art ecosystem.

These include:

• Lectures and talks with established curators and cultural educators from leading institutions and independent spaces, as well as with freelance curators and art professionals

• Visits to artists’ studios

• Guided tours and visits to current art fairs, institutions, off-spaces, galleries and museums in Vienna

• Workshops on Press & Communication as well as Exhibition Production with the team of DAS WEISSE HAUS

C'A program costs

The program participation fee is covered by DAS WEISSE HAUS and program partners. This includes entries to museums, art fairs, and other special events, as well as workshops, lectures, studio visits, and the production costs of the group exhibition. The program does not cover any accommodation, travel costs, or per diems.

Based on their applications, participants will be selected by the leadership of DAS WEISSE HAUS. After their participation is confirmed, selected participants must sign an agreement with DAS WEISSE HAUS committing to the residency.

The registration fee is €50 (this processing fee is non-refundable). The registration fee payment must be made by the deadline of February 28, 2026 (23:59 CET), and proof of payment must be sent to application@dasweissehaus.at. The selection of C'A program participants will be finalized following the application deadline, and all applicants will be informed in due course.

Selected curators will be enrolled as non-degree associate students at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and may earn 4 ECTS upon successful completion of the seminar. Participants will be required to cover the enrollment fee (as non-degree students) of ca. € 25.

C'A application

Please send us your CV/biography (one A4 page), a letter of motivation (one A4 page) explaining why you want to take part in this program, the completed registration form (available here), as well as, the proof of registration fee payment, by February 28, 2026 (23:59 CET) to: application@dasweissehaus.at, with the subject line: Application Curators' Agenda: VIENNA 2026.

Important information

• The working language of the program is English.

• Applicants of all ages are welcome to apply.

• Each participant will receive a certificate of completion of the Curators' Agenda program upon finishing the residency.

• If you require a traveling visa for Austria, make sure to learn what you need for that purpose in a timely manner (an invitation letter can be provided).

• The accommodation, travel insurance, and medical insurance, as well as the public transport tickets are part of the responsibility of the selected participants.

• Bank fees and wire costs should be covered by the participants, please take this into account when making a payment.

• Participation entails a commitment to attend all scheduled sessions, visits, and activities throughout the full duration of the program.

• The organizers reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or alter the program should unforeseen circumstances arise.

Contact:
All inquiries regarding the program can be directed to: application@dasweissehaus.at.

You can find more information about the previous collaborative exhibitions in the framework of the Curators' Agenda program here: 2025, 2024, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.