Application deadline: March 1, 2024
In Hamburg, art in public space has played an important role for decades. In 1981, the Hanseatic city became the first German metropolis to replace the previously practised commission programme entitled Kunst am Bau (Art in Architecture) with Art in Public Space. This decision was made in response to cultural and social change and the related demands placed on the city as a space for living and interaction. By opening up the urban realm to independent visual arts projects, a significant step was taken towards the democratic shaping of urban culture.
The City Curator project marks another major step in the long history of art in public space in Hamburg. The initiative project was launched by the city for the first time in 2014. It examined the question of how art in public space can impact and spark social debate today. The Hamburg model set decisive standards and attracted nationwide attention as a unique example of the advancement of public art. From 2013 to 2016, the first City Curator, Sophie Goltz, sparked a lively debate about the topicality and relevance of art in public space. Dirck Möllmann, who was the second City Curator from 2016 to 2019, has contributed long-term impetus to this discussion.
The Kunsthaus Hamburg and the Ministry of Culture and Media Hamburg now relaunch the City Curator project together and extended it to a project period of five years. With the Kunsthaus, an established centre for contemporary art becomes the supporting institution for the programme. The aim is to build a bridging link between local, national and international artistic trends. In future, Hamburg-specific themes and discourses of current social relevance, which are in focus of the Kunsthaus, will also be addressed in the urban realm.
Curators (m/f/x) or artistic groups interested in filling the City Curator programme with life for five years may apply for the project from January 15 to March 1, 2024. The international call for applications can be found along with further information on the Kunsthaus website.