Contour Biennale is looking for a curator for the 11th edition from late August until November 2026 in Mechelen, Belgium.
As Contour steps into its 11th edition, it enters a phase of transformation. A new organisational structure marks not just a shift in approach but also an opportunity to rethink the essence of what a biennale can be. To navigate the delicate balance between sharp, uncompromising artistic choices and the need to reach a broad audience the organisers are seeking to create an act of balance, resistance, and generosity. At its core, Contour is committed to inclusivity, fair practice, and ecological awareness, anchoring itself in both local and global contexts.
The curator of Contour Biennale 11 will shape its concept, content, and form and steer the biennale into new territories of engagement. The organisers are looking for a curator with a strong affinity for moving images who will develop a concept that will strengthen the biennale from a place of care, based on a sustained dialogue with the group that re-established the biennale in 2024. This process of exploration and collaboration will happen in conversation with the biennale’s general and artistic director.
In the first phase the curator will develop a concept, artists list and location selection, due on 15 August, which will serve as the base for further fundraising in close collaboration with the biennale team. The next phase will entail the production of new works, the planning of the installation and writing of texts to conclude in a final phase with overseeing the opening and public programming of the biennale. This will include talks, events and an international visitor’s programme.
For this small-scale edition of the biennale the available curator fee is 15,000 EUR. The fee will be increased accordingly if funds allow for a larger biennale. Travel and accommodation are covered separately by Contour.
