OPEN CALL:Applications for /ecm 2026–28 engaged curatorial practice call

How can museums change society? What consequences can curatorial actions have? Curators and educators, organizers and designers, artists and scholars today are looking for ways not only to critically analyze existing notions and narratives of exhibition-making but also to intervene in them and reformulate them through curatorial practices.

The /ecm—/educating /curating /making study program in exhibition theory and practice at the University of Applied Arts Vienna is a postgraduate, fee-based course that provides comprehensive knowledge and skills in the expanded field of museums and exhibitions. In collaborative processes, we experiment with different methods of curatorial research, theory and practice. Thus, discourses, ruptures, and horizons emerge that challenge the canon, occupy exhibition spaces and the public sphere, and seek not only to digitize museums and collections but above all to democratize them.

Structure
The study program is aimed at a diverse group of up to 25 participants. They may be anchored in institutions or freelancers in the art and culture sector, deal with questions of display and representation, mediation and communication, and have varied educational and professional backgrounds. It takes place over four semesters with a total of 22 weekend modules and offers two different paths (a/ and b/). Both paths are conducted simultaneously as a joint program. Noteworthy distinctions exist in the admission requirements and the nature of the academic thesis for each pathway.

a/ an associate Master’s degree program with a Master’s thesis, graduating with the academic title “Master of Arts (Continuing Education)”—abbreviated MA (CE);

b/ a university course with a practice-based research project, graduating with the academic title “Academic Curator”.

/ecm directors’ team
Martina Griesser-Stermscheg, Christine Haupt-Stummer, Renate Höllwart, Beatrice Jaschke, Monika Sommer, Nora Sternfeld and Luisa Ziaja.

Application
The next round of the /ecm begins in October 2026. Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2026. Upon positive assessment of your application, you will be invited to attend a mandatory one-day admission seminar. The first dates for the seminars are March 19, 2026 and April 17, 2026. More detailed information about the application process can be found here.

We look forward to receiving your application!