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The Luxembourg Ministry of Culture has appointed Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg commissioner of the Luxembourg Pavilion, along with the luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture.

Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg was established as an initiative of the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture. The public institution has since become a key partner in the support and promotion of professionals from the following sectors: architecture, design and crafts; multimedia and digital arts; visual arts; literature and publishing; music; and performing arts.

luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture was set up 30 years ago as the Fondation de l’Architecture et de l’Ingénierie with the primary task of promoting quality architecture as a cultural reality. Today, luca takes a multi-scalar and interdisciplinary approach to the issues facing the stakeholders involved in the production of the built environment.

La Biennale di Venezia was established in 1895 and is today acknowledged as one of the most prestigious cultural institutions. La Biennale di Venezia stands at the forefront of research and promotion of new contemporary art trends and organizes events in all its specific Departments: Art (1895), Architecture (1980), Cinema (1932), Dance (1999), Music (1930), and Theatre (1934) – alongside research and training activities.

As the world’s largest cultural event for architecture, this international exhibition aims to give the world an overview as comprehensive as possible of the themes and projects capable of addressing the future’s scenarios in the fields of architecture, urbanism, the city, and our ever-changing society and societal issues.

The 19^th edition will take place from May to November 2025. The Fondazione la Biennale di Venezia has not yet nominated the Chief curator of this edition, but their name should be communicated by the end of the year.

However, the selected proposal will need to be suitable for presentation within the Venice Biennale’s context and take into consideration the specific nature of the Pavilion. The concept developed by the curatorial team will address the typical themes explored in this international event and offer relevant thoughts on contemporary research and subjects in the field. The project must be designed with a view to possible presentation and adaptation in a Luxembourg venue after the biennale.

Official opening: mid-May 2025

The call is open to multidisciplinary curatorial teams, with the project leader being a Luxembourg-based professional of architecture, living in Luxembourg or able to demonstrate cultural integration within the Grand Duchy whose expertise can contribute to the reflection, conceptualisation, design, production and mediation of this Exhibition. For instance, artists, architects, engineers, designers, urban planners, landscape architects, researchers, critics, curators, writers, philosophers, and others can be part of the team. In addition, the teams may enlist the assistance or services of third parties.

Applicant teams must have experience in organising and producing exhibitions and be able to develop an architectural/ curatorial discourse that they can present and defend publicly.

Proposals may take various forms, such as exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops, readings or other relevant formats.

The selection will be carried out in two sessions:

The first session will focus on the preliminary brief projects. The application deadline for the first session is midnight on December 17, 2023 and applications must be submitted through the website https://support.kulturlx.lu/en 

The second session will focus on the detailed projects. The application deadline for the second session is 6:00 P.M on March 15, 2024.

The project for the Luxembourg Pavilion will be chosen by a jury comprising:

• Maribel Casas, Scientific Director, luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture;
• Michelle Friederici, President, Ordre des Architectes et des Ingénieurs conseils Luxembourg;
• Claudine Hemmer, Visual Arts and Architecture Advisor, Ministry of Culture Luxembourg;
• Marija Marić /Francelle Cane, Curators of the Luxembourg Pavilion 2023;
• Eléonore Mialonier, Project Manager Architecture/Design/Crafts, Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg;
• Marion Waller, General Director, Pavillon de l’Arsenal, Paris;
• Nemanja Zimonjić, Director, Ten Studio, Zürich.

Constitution of application files:

• First session:
  Deadline: December 17, 2023

The application must include the following components:

• References and portfolios of the team members (portfolio + CV);
• Presentation of the concept/project proposal of a maximum of 2 A4 pages written either in French, German or English indicating its challenges and implications and the form it could take;
• A preliminary budget estimation.

The jury will convene between Januray 8 and 12 to shortlist a maximum of three applicants, who will then be invited to further develop their projects and present them in front of the jury during the second session. The announcement of the shortlisted projects will be made by January 19.

• Second session:
  Deadline: March 15, 2024 at 06 :00 pm at the latest

For the second session, the 3 shortlisted candidates must submit:

• A title for their project;
• The detailed project including all relevant visual elements such as layout plans, photos, videos, etc.;
• A detailed budget forecast specifying the costs of the primary expenditures;
• A set and detailed timetable fitting the deadlines that will be sent over to the selected candidates after the first session;
• A format for a possible adaptation of the project in a second venue.

Physical files (models, boards, etc.) must be sent / brought to Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg / 5-7 rue de l’Alzette, L-4011 Esch-sur-Alzette) by March 15 from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm at the latest.

The jury’s deliberation for the second session will take place between March 17 and 20. Applicants will be invited to present their project in the presence of the jury.

The jury will submit its proposal for a winning project to the Minister of Culture

Please note that the jury’s decision is considered final.

The announcement of the winning team will be disclosed on March 27, 2024.

Selected applicants for the second session will receive an allowance of € 1,500 for the preparation of their applications for the project’s finalisation for the second session. For the selected team, this lump sum is to be considered a down payment. The names of the three shortlisted projects will be published.

Evaluation Criteria:

The Ministry of Culture has appointed Kultur | lx Commissioner of the Luxembourg Pavilion, along with luca. Kultur | lx holds the responsibility for the coordination of the project.

As the project Coordinator, Kultur | lx will oversee the entire execution of the Luxembourg presence in Venice and coordinate all aspects of the project.

Under Kultur | lx supervision, the curatorial team will be responsible for:

• The curatorial concept of the exhibition and the writing of all associated texts for the presentation, mediation and communication on the project;
• The design/ scenography of the exhibition layout, including the detailed construction plans and precise description of the chosen materials (including all necessary details for the construction of the exhibition) and its visual identity;
• The editorial management of the exhibition catalogue (including negotiations with contributors, authors, copyright holders, graphic designers, publishers, etc.);
• The production of the exhibition (including the search and consultation of the service providers, all budgetary commitments must receive prior approval from Kultur | lx;
• The supervision of the on-site setup and deinstallation, in close collaboration with the local coordinator and construction/installation team.

The missions must be carried out within the budget and schedule established in agreement with Kultur | lx. Applicants commit to being available throughout the entire period to meet the deadlines essential for the successful completion of the project, as well as those required by La Biennale di Venezia.

The curatorial team will also provide its availability for public presentations/lectures about their project in Luxembourg and/or in Venice within the time frame of the Exhibition in accordance with Kultur | lx communication strategy and luca programme.

In close collaboration with the curatorial team, Kultur | lx will manage the following:

• The follow-up of the general timetable;
• The management of the administrative and budgetary aspects of the project (validation of each expenses, drafting contracts, etc.);
• The interactions and communication with the Foundation La Biennale di Venezia;
• The communication campaign and press relations;
• The organisation of the opening and associated events in Venice.

The specific roles and responsibilities will be further refined, based on the selected team and project, in an agreement to be drawn up within two months of the announcement of the winning team.

Budget Overview:

The budget designated for exhibition production and publication is € 270 000 (excluding adaptation costs for Luxembourg). This sum includes expenses for installation, deinstallation, transport (roundtrip and storage after return), travel and accommodation for the selected team, and all costs related to the publication.

The winning curatorial team will receive of fee ranging from € 42 000 up to € 63 000. It should be incorporated into the overall provisional budget to be submitted for the second session.