Space for New Art – open call for artists

Three artists will be annually selected for HAM’s Space for New Art through an open call. The open call highlights annually changing themes, unique exhibition content, and the connection created between the artists, exhibitions, and HAM’s audiences. With the introduction of the Space for New Art, HAM aims to enable multidisciplinary, versatile art-making and innovative exhibition concepts. Additionally, HAM wants to provide its audiences with meaningful and surprising encounters with art and artists. HAM will deepen its relationship with artists and collaborate in the exhibitions’ curation and production process.

What is HAM searching for?

In the first call, the focus is on exhibition plans that enliven art exhibition through performative and/or audience-engaging methods. The proposed exhibition should include a performative element that the audience can engage with during the entire exhibition or at an event related to it. The exhibition must also be an attractive experience itself.

HAM wants to explore and support performative elements in the exhibition context and art’s influence on the viewer’s body and mind.

Successful applications are expected to introduce new, exceptional art, demonstrate a willingness to challenge traditional practices of creating art, and readiness to interact with our audiences.

Selection panel: HAM’s curators and an external member

Application period: 13 March – 7 April 2025

Applicants will be notified of the selection on 6 May 2025.

The first exhibition at the Space for New Art will open at the beginning of June 2026.

What HAM offers to applicants

The artist will create an exhibition in collaboration with HAM’s content and production professionals. The artist will be responsible for their exhibition project’s artistic content, in collaboration with HAM’s curator. The redesigned exhibition space is on the museum’s first floor (approximately 150m²).

The artist will have access to a work and break area during the exhibition installation. Museum conditions set certain parameters for working in the exhibition space. HAM has final authority over the exhibition project’s schedule and production.

Who can apply

Applicants must be professional visual artists.

We are looking for new work and exhibition ideas. We are not looking for group exhibitions, previously exhibited works, or exhibition ideas created by curators.

Applications that are incomplete, do not clearly meet the selection criteria, or arrive late will be eliminated in the pre-selection process.

Submission details

The application must include all essential information for the selection process. In principle, we do not explore artists’ websites or social media channels. The application form must include a single file in PDF format with a maximum size of 5 MB.

The file must include the following information:

Applicant introduction

CV, images…

Project plan

Describe the content and details of your exhibition plan clearly and concisely: How will the exhibition be positioned in the given space? What is essential for the success of your exhibition plan, and what potential risks are involved in it? How does your project meet HAM’s selection criteria? Briefly outline the project’s significance and impact in today’s context.

Create a desired schedule for your working and exhibition period

• installation
• exhibition’s opening period for the public (approximately three months)
• dismantling

Describe how you will take HAM’s audience into account in your exhibition project

Is your working process before the official opening of the exhibition, during the installation phase, such that visitors can participate in or observe it in the gallery space? How can our audience take part in the exhibition during its opening period?

What is the cost estimate (incl. VAT) for your exhibition?

Production support of €3,000 (incl. VAT) will be paid to selected artists. They will also be paid an artist fee of €4,000 and exhibition remuneration determined by Kuvasto. HAM will cover, in accordance with its practices, the exhibition’s management costs, curation, production, installation, dismantling, marketing communications, documenting, and audience engagement. You don’t have to include these costs in the cost estimate.