INTRODUCTION
Moderna galerija is issuing a public call for the selection of a curator, author or authors’ group, and project for the presentation in the Slovenian Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, running from 9 May to 22 November 2026.
The purpose of this call is to select a project that will be exhibited, and a project team that will conceive, produce, and present the exhibition, in the Slovenian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Art Biennale. The call is aimed at curators who will present their proposals for the project and its execution.
The Venice Biennale is the oldest and most prestigious biennial exhibition of contemporary art, held since 1895. Its aim is to present the most comprehensive overview of ideas, themes, and projects in contemporary visual art. The Biennale offers an exceptional opportunity for international networking, as it brings together leading-edge artists, curators, and other creators from around the world.
Based on a decision of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Moderna galerija has been appointed the institution responsible for preparing, organizing, and executing the presentation of Slovenia at the 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice.
PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CALL
Appointed institution:
Moderna galerija
Windischerjeva ulica 2
1000 Ljubljana
Email: info@mg-lj.si
Who can participate
We invite curators of projects involving artists, at least one of whom holds Slovenian citizenship or has permanent residence in Slovenia. Applicants should be active in the field of visual arts.
The applicant is responsible for defining and managing the authorship relationships and rights within the group.
Members of the jury or individuals directly personally, familially, or professionally connected to Moderna galerija are not allowed to participate.
A cooperation agreement will be signed with the selected applicant, outlining the specific terms and deadlines for participation.
The name of the selected applicant or applicant group will be publicly announced on the Moderna Galerija website. The organizer commits to protecting and using the collected personal data in accordance with applicable data protection regulations and solely for the purpose for which it was obtained, and will not disclose it to third parties without consent.
Conditions for Application:
Documentation for the Application:
Proposals should be submitted in one document, exclusively in electronic form via WeTransfer, to the following address: info@mg-lj.si (subject: "Venice Biennale 2026"). They must not exceed 2 GB.
The committee shall assess only those proposals that meet the call’s criteria as defined above. Incomplete or late submissions shall not be considered.
Location of the Pavilion
The Slovenian Pavilion will presumably be located in the Arsenale, on an area of approximately 120 square meters.
The organizer La Biennale di Venezia is providing an empty exhibition space – all the lighting, electrical wiring, and any necessary construction work must be included in the production costs. The venue also has no storage space – all packaging must thus be removed or incorporated and stored within the exhibition structure.
Selection Criteria
An expert jury will consider the following criteria when evaluating the proposals:
Jury Members:
Selection Process
The project for the Slovenian presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, will be selected by the jury in a two-stage process:
Stage 1: Review of the submitted proposals and a shortlist (approximately 2–5 applications),
Stage 2: Interviews with the applicants selected in the first stage, and the final selection of the project.
The commission will evaluate only proposals that meet the application requirements, based on predefined criteria. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. The commission reserves the right to consult with external experts.
Execution of the Pavilion
In addition to production resources, Moderna galerija provides rental space in the Arsenale, organisational, logistical, and communication management of the presentation, the organisation of the opening, and the maintenance of the pavilion during the duration of the biennale. The organiser's support will be more specifically defined in the contract with the selected applicant.
Moderna galerija reserves the right to shape the budget based on the amount of funds that will be allocated for 2026 by the Ministry of Culture's decision.
The proposers of the selected project are required to carry out the project in cooperation with the commissioner, who confirms the stages of the project's development and execution and manages and approves the budget.
Deadlines
The public call will be published on the Moderna galerija website.
Questions and Answers
Questions regarding the call can be sent to info@mg-lj.si by April 25, 2025 (subject: "Venice Biennale 2026").
Moderna galerija reserves the right to change the deadlines.
Notification of Selection
Moderna galerija will notify the applicants about the outcome of the call via email (to the address provided on the application form). The decision of the expert jury is final.
Language
The official language for the call for proposals for the Slovenian Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia is Slovenian. All printed and digital materials (catalogue, brochures, exhibition texts) shall be in Slovenian and English.
The program of Moderna galerija and Slovenia’s presentation at the Venice Biennale is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.
