The Young Curators Programme (YCP) is designed for emerging Belgium-based curators. Beyond encouraging the interaction between Dutch and French-speaking professionals, the YCP aims to promote curatorial practice and development, offering an exceptional work and exposure opportunity for young professionals in the frame of the Venice Biennale, a major and prestigious international art event. The six participants selected for the YCP’s 2026 edition will partake in bilingual duos for one of the programme terms offered during the 61st Venice Biennale. They will actively participate in the mediation and the life of IT NEVER SSST by Miet Warlop, a multidisciplinary project at the crossroads of performance, music and visual art, commissioned to represent Belgium in the national pavilion in the Biennale’s Giardini.
Download the full open call ycp-open-call.pdf.
Eligibility Criteria
- You have graduated in the last ten years from a curatorial programme in Belgium with a focus on exhibition-making or curatorial studies.
- Current students may only apply for Term 3, provided they graduate by July 2026. They are not eligible for Terms 1 and 2.
- You are between 18 and 35 years old.
- You must provide proof of residency in Belgium for a minimum of two years.
YCP Provides
- One return ticket from Brussels to Venice for one 7-week-long term.
- Remuneration payable by invoice or via Amplo (Social Office for Artists); the exact wage is to be confirmed, pending budget approval to ensure a fair starter pay scale.
- Accommodation in a shared apartment (with private rooms).
- Access to Biennale venues.
- A Venezia Unica City Pass for transportation within the lagoon (tickets at participant’s own expense).
- Occupational accident insurance for the duration of the stay.
- Participants must arrange their own travel insurance (covering hospitalisation and medical costs) and civil liability insurance.
Pre-Programme in Antwerp
- Week 1: 5 February 2026
- Week 2: 12 February 2026
- Week 3: 19 February 2026
- Week 4: 26 February 2026
Dates in Venice
- Opening Week (all participants): 5 – 10 May 2026
- Term 1 (7 weeks): 12 May – 29 June 2026 (follows straight after the opening week)
- Term 2 (9 weeks): 30 June – 31 August 2026
- Term 3 (12 weeks): 1 September – 23 November 2026
Application
- Submit your application in a single PDF no later than 2 November 2025, midnight.
- Your application must include:
- CV (max. two pages)
- Motivation letter in English with your views on live art, curating and mediation (max. one page)
- Indication of your availability and preferred term
- For non-Belgian nationals, a certificate from the commune/gemeente stating that you have been living in Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia for at least two years.
Email your application to ycp@belgianpavilion.be
