Open Call for the Young Curators Programme during the Venice Biennale 2026

YCP?

The six participants selected for the YCP’s 2026 edition will partake in bilingual duos for one of the programme terms offered during the 61st Venice Biennale. They will actively participate in the mediation and the life of IT NEVER SSST by Miet Warlop, a multidisciplinary project at the crossroads of performance, music and visual art, commissioned to represent Belgium in the national pavilion in the Biennale’s Giardini.

How to apply

Submit your application in a single PDF with the following information:

● CV (max. two pages)
● Motivation letter in English with your views on live art, curating and mediation (max. one page)
● Indication of your availability and prefered term
● For non-Belgian nationals, a certificate from the commune/gemeente stating that you have been living in Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia for at least two years.

Email your application to ycp@belgianpavilion.be with the subject line “YCP 2026 Application + your name”.

Organised by

The Young Curators Programme is an initiative of Curatorial Studies, KASK & Conservatorium, the school of arts of HOGENT and howest; Master en Pratiques de l’Exposition (CARE), ARBA-ESA; Vlaamse overheid; Direction des Arts visuels de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles; and Bureau International de la Jeunesse (BIJ). The 2026 edition is organised in collaboration with MORPHO and KANAL-Centre Pompidou.

Selection procedure

• Application period: October 2 – November 2, 2025
• Notification of the shortlisted candidates: November 10, 2025
• Jury interviews with the shortlisted candidates: November 13, 2025
• Notification of the results: by November 20, 2025
• Introductory gathering with the selected curators: November 28, 2025
  

Pre-programme in Antwerp

• Week 1: 5 February 2026
• Week 2: 12 February 2026
• Week 3: 19 February 2026
• Week 4: 26 February 2026

Dates in Venice

• Opening Week (all participants): 5 – 10 May 2026
• Term 1 (7 weeks): 12 May – 29 June 2026 (follows straight after the opening week)
• Term 2 (9 weeks): 30 June – 31 August 2026
• Term 3 (12 weeks): 1 September – 23 November 2026

YCP provides

• One return ticket from Brussels to Venice for one 7-week-long term;
• A remuneration payable by invoice or via Amplo (Social Office for Artists); for this edition, the wage remains to be confirmed because of an ongoing effort by the partners of securing a budget that can guarantee a fair starter pay scale;
• Accommodation in a shared apartment (with private rooms);
• Access to the Biennale venues;
• A Venezia Unica City Pass, for transportation in the lagoon (tickets are the responsibility of each participant);
• The programme will provide occupational accident insurance for the duration of the curator’s stay. Participants are expected to arrange their own travel insurance (covering hospitalisation and medical costs) as well as civil liability insurance.

Eigibility criteria

• You have graduated in the last ten years from a curatorial programme in Belgium with a focus on exhibition-making or curatorial studies;
• Current students may only apply for Term 3, provided they graduate; by July 2026. They are not eligible for Terms 1 and 2;
• You are between 18 and 35 years old;
• You must provide proof of residency in Belgium for a minimum of two years. Participants are expected to
• Be available and present in Venice for the whole duration of their programme terms, as well as participate in the pre-programme in Antwerp;
• Play a role in connecting the daily life of the performance to the pavilion’s visitors and team as its representatives in Venice;
• Offer active mediation in the pavilion approximately three times a week from 11am-4pm (May-September) or 10am-3pm (October-November) during their stay in Venice;
• Contribute to the maintenance and well-functioning of the exhibition together with pavilion manager Giulio Piovesan. This might include occasionally assisting in light performative actions or organisational tasks;
• Create content (text, sound, image or short video) to the YCP section of the Belgian Pavilion website or project instagram at least once during their stay;
• Write a short report or organise an event (at MORPHO or in their alma mater) about their research related to the histories, presents and possible futures of the Belgian pavilion following their stay.
  

Required profile

• Interest in mediation in relation to live arts, specifically how visual art can intersect with music and performance;
• Curiosity in developing teamwork methods;
• Positive energy, critical thinking and the drive to make it your own;
• Good knowledge of English;
• Punctuality and respect for commitments;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Questions?

If you have questions about the programme and application procedure, send an email to YCP Coordinator Laila Melchior at ycp@belgianpavilion.be.