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South Africa

OPEN CALL: GOETHE-INSTITUT GALLERY 2026

An image taken of the Abafabazi Exhibition at Goethe-Institut Johannesburg © Thabang Taukubung

The Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg would like to invite artists, curators and collectives to submit rough proposals for gallery interventions, exhibitions and experimental projects that spark debate which is reflective of the various current global topics affecting us in South Africa, the continent and beyond.
This open call offers use of the Goethe-Institut Gallery and other negotiated spaces within the Institut, marketing, PR and social media support. We encourage proposals which take a dynamic approach to the understanding of space and its limitations - and thus this call invites proposals which explore, breakdown, unpack and repack thought-provoking conceptions of the gallery walls and the institution as a whole – inside, outside and the spaces in between.

Projects have to be non-commercial and (further) developed in partnership with a Goethe-Institut project managers.

An image taken of the outside of Goethe-Institut Johannesburg at the Abafabazi Exhibition showing the attendees outside of the institute © Thabang Taukubung

Funding criteria

Deadline for projects to be implemented from January to May 2026 is July 15th

Deadline for projects to be implemented from June to December 2026 is October 15th

  • We encourage the proposal of good project ideas rather than finalized projects
  • Proposals which have a high-level of public engagement (possible “activations”) integrated in the programming
  • Relevance of the concept to contemporary issues
  • A realistic budget
  • The grant invites experimentation with interdisciplinary formats of presentation
  • We encourage you to raise further funds.
  • Proposals can, but do not have to include a relationship/partnership with a German counterpart
  • Organisations or departments of institutions of higher learning are welcome to apply

Required documents

A complete and eligible application will consist of the following information:

  • Contact information of the applicant
  • Names and personal profiles/CVs, weblinks of all project partners
  • The names of key participants
  • Project information (working title, brief description, detailed description, etc.
  • Proposed schedule
  • Budget (revenues, expenses, own and third-party funds)

For more informaiton, contact:

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