Vereinigung bildender Künstler*innen Österreichs (Austrian Association of Wom*n Artists), invites you to send in a proposal for our annual program running from March 2027 to February 2028.
Around the world, authoritarianism, militarization, and extractive capitalism are on the rise, while care is privatized and solidarity criminalized. Following feminist, queer, anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-authoritarian traditions, we believe another way of living is not something to wait for — it is something we rehearse together through how we organize, create, care, and struggle. Our program brings together practices of communal care and creates a platform for collective rehearsals of alternative futures. VBKÖ, founded as a feminist association in 1910, acknowledges that its own history includes exclusion and discrimination, and today actively opposes all forms of discrimination, including trans-exclusionary radical feminism, standing together with its artistic communities.
We are looking for proposals that allow for tenderness, that are not afraid of ugly feelings, and different truths. We welcome projects that explore how contemporary queer and feminist perspectives resonate across artistic, social, and political movements. We welcome proposals for exhibition formats that bring together multiple artists, collectives, or collaborative practices. We encourage proposals that activate the exhibition through public programming, including screenings, performances, workshops, lectures, and other events. Please note that we do not support solo exhibitions, individual presentations, or projects centered on the work of a single artist.
What We Offer
Budget: VBKÖ supports each selected project with a total budget of both artist fees and production costs, which includes EUR 4,000. This budget may be allocated to fees, materials, labor, production, transport, and other project-related expenses.
* If participants are based outside Vienna, any additional travel, accommodation, shipping, or related costs must be included within the proposed project budget or covered through external funding.VBKÖ can provide invitation and support letters to assist applicants in securing additional funding to cover project expenses beyond the allocated budget.
Graphic design of online promotional material, press announcements, and photo documentation
Technical support for setting up (up to 10 hours)
*Please note that installing and de-installing must be done/arranged by the selected groups.Technical equipment (↝ Technical list)
The regular opening hours are Fridays and Saturdays, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. If the exhibition is to be open outside these hours, the selected groups are responsible for arranging and staffing the additional opening times.
Possible duration of the program: 4 to 6 weeks (The project should happen between March 2027 and February 2028)
The selection process
The shortlist will be compiled by the VBKÖ team, and the final proposals will be selected by the VBKÖ board, with an external jury member who has extensive international experience in contemporary art, activism, and community building.
Please take note of the requirements; incomplete applications will not be considered. If necessary, we would ask you to meet with the Jury to present the proposal. The selected proposals will be announced at the beginning of October 2026.
What we require from you
A description of the program (max. 2 pages, including images if any). Proposals can be written in English or German. Please include preferred dates/duration.
A CV and biography from all participants involved in the proposal (max. 1 page for each).
A financial plan: We encourage you to make your plan based on Fair Pay
Technical requirements
Three high-resolution images of work or sketches for the exhibition (if you want to send video files in addition, please include the links in your proposal)
A contact person’s information (email, & mobile number, and main residence)
Please send all your written materials via a single PDF (max 5MB) and submit the high-res images within the email or through a download link (please label images with artist’s name, work title, year, proposal title) to opencall@vbkoe.org with the Subject: Open Call + your proposal title.
☆ Deadline: September 10, 2026, 23:59
If you have any questions, please contact info@vbkoe.org.
Hintergrundbild: © isabel prade / @isaprae