OPEN CALL:Curators for PopUp Goethe Iceland

Goethe-Institut London is currently seeking a curatorial duo for a paid, freelance contract to establish and manage PopUp Goethe Iceland, with a project period extending from March 2021 to September 2022.

Application deadline: January 31, 2021

Initiated and led by Goethe-Institut London, in collaboration with the selected curatorial duo

Background
Iceland has always been an important partner in Germany’s international cultural relations, exchanging and cooperating on key issues such as sustainability, AI, feminism as well as collaborating in the teaching of the German language. Despite not having a Goethe-Institut in Iceland, the country has always been an important focus of the Goethe-Institut networks in the North-western European region. The current open call aims to strengthen the existing cultural relations and to foster new and meaningful ways of global and cross-national exchange, and thus to produce knowledge.

Aim
PopUp Goethe Iceland is conceived as a vessel for hybrid, ambitious projects that can speak across and between frameworks, both conceptual, as well as physical. It should include existing / conceived / ongoing projects by the Goethe-Instituts in North-western Europe as well as develop new ideas that resonate with the local audience. The following aspects should be reflected in the programme:

-Public accessibility is paramount
-The duration should be limited to a specific time period and to venue(s)/space(s) across Iceland (the festival format is suggested)
-A clear commitment to sustainability should be demonstrated
-Digital and hybrid formats are to be included and explored
-Reflections on a sustainable continuation, possibly online

Timeline
Phase 0: Selection of Curatorial Team – Mid February 2021
Phase 1: Concept Development – March to August 2021
Phase 2: Project production – Sept 2021 to June 2022
Phase 3: Event(s) – August/September 2022

Eligibility
-The application is open to curators, artists, festival leaders, educators, writers, organizers and other practitioners.
-The application should be sent in as a duo / tandem.
-It is expected that one member of the duo is based in Iceland and the other one in Germany.
-Ideally, both curators are fluent in English, one of the two in Icelandic.
-Experience in presenting contemporary art (such as exhibition curation, art writing, organizing discursive events, mediation, etc.) is expected as well as knowledge of Icelandic/German art scene.
-While not a requirement, priority will be given to applicants with a degree in art, philosophy, architecture, design, social sciences and/or critical theory, or demonstrable equivalent experience.

Application guidelines
Please send your application materials by e-mail as ONE pdf document (maximum 1 MB) no later than January 31, 2021. Your application should include the following, in English:

-A short text articulating how you imagine PopUp Goethe Iceland should be conceived and what your practice will bring to it, considering this call’s details (maximum 500 words)
-Key sentence – synopsis of your application (maximum 30 words)
-CVs (maximum 2 pages each) + any relevant links to website/social media

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and therefore encourage applications from those from diverse/under-represented backgrounds.

Further information
For further information and contact details please see our website

About the Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive image of Germany by providing information about cultural, social and political life in our nation. Our cultural and educational programmes encourage intercultural dialogue and enable cultural involvement. They strengthen the development of structures in civil society and foster worldwide mobility. With our network of Goethe-Instituts, Goethe Centres, cultural societies, reading rooms and exam and language learning centres, we have been the first point of contact for many with Germany for almost seventy years. Our long-lasting partnerships with leading institutions and individuals in over ninety countries create enduring trust in Germany. We are partners for all who actively engage with Germany and its culture, working independently and without political ties.