Mentoring Programme: Take off Venice Biennale
Kultur | lx has just launched a new mentoring programme to support artists and professional curators in the visual, digital and/or performance. It includes unique opportunities for immersion in a professional setting, mentoring support and the chance to network at international level. Participants will also gain first-hand experience of the 2026 Venice Biennale, learning how it works from the inside while also developing their own artistic practice.
The programme will include a maximum of 5 participants.
Who is it for?
Artists and curators from Luxembourg (nationals or residents) working in the visual, digital and/or performance sectors.
Exclusions and restrictions
Artists and curators who have already represented Luxembourg at the Venice Biennale (Art/Architecture).
Aims
• Promote the creation and circulation of ideas and sharing of knowledge.
• Develop the participants’ international professional networks.
• Raise participants’ international profile in the arts sector.
• Support deeper reflection into practices and goals.
• Offer individual and group support from experienced mentors (see below).
Financial Conditions
Each participant shall receive a grant of €1,000 to cover participation in the programme and submission of the required final presentation.
In addition, a travel grant up to a maximum of €3,000 shall be awarded to each participant to cover travel and accommodation costs for the visit to Venice. This support shall cover actual costs and shall be paid upon presentation of supporting documents (invoices paid, tickets etc.).
The support shall be paid in two instalments:
- A first instalment upon signing of the contract, including the €1,000 grant and 50% of the travel allowance;
- A second instalment at the end of the programme equal to the final balance for the travel allowance paid upon presentation of a detailed breakdown of costs accompanied by proof of payment of invoices.
For participants who are not resident in Luxembourg, a flat rate to cover travel costs and accommodation for meetings in Luxembourg shall be considered and awarded on a case by case basis. This flat rate shall be a maximum of €800.
Each participant shall be expected to organise and pay for their own travel and accommodation.
Eligibility
- Anchored in Luxembourg’s cultural landscape;
- Contribution to the arts sector, artists or Luxembourg’s cultural organisations and their impact;
- Proven professional experience, including specialist training and/or recognised practical experience, as well as recognition from peers or by experts;
- Work presented in a professional setting (museums, foundations, galleries, festivals, publishers etc.);
- Clear relevant motivation presented in the application submitted;
- Connection between the programme and the applicant’s professional career;
- Identification of programme’s expected impact on the applicant’s career development path;
- Commitment to a spirit of collaboration and exchange;
- Active involvement in the contemporary art scene;
- (Additionally) Compatibility with the issues and themes featured at major international arts events.
Selection Process
Participants will be selected following a call for applications by the selection committee made up of the mentors.
Call for applications opened: July 1, 2025
Deadline for submitting applications: midnight on 20 August 2025
List of participants published: mid-September 2025
By submitting an application, applicants undertake to be available for the mentoring programme on the dates listed in the indicative programme above. The exact dates will be confirmed at a later stage. Participants must attend all activities included in the programme.
The programme will include a maximum of 5 participants.
If the jury decides that the applications submitted do not fulfil the requirements, Kultur | lx reserves the right to select less than 5 participants
Documents Required
- Artistic CV;
- Biography;
- Presentation of work (portfolio highlighting the main themes explored, projects and/or research in progress);
- A cover letter outlining the reasons for submitting an application, why you would like to attend the Venice Biennale professional days, and how you think you would benefit from the programme in terms of career development and international networking opportunities.
Image credits: dalbera from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
