OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS
WONDER
Women
Narratives
During the
European Resistance
Residency and production of a work of art at the Women’s Museum in Hittisau / AT under the EU programme CERV
Guadaloupe Aldrete / FMH Residency 2021
© Momo Beck / Women`s Museum Hittisau
The Hittisau Women’s Museum is seeking an artist for a residency on the theme of women’s* resistance to National Socialism in Vorarlberg and Austria. The research will result in a new artistic work, which will be exhibited at the museum from April 2027.
Who can apply?
Professional artists residing in Austria or another EU Member State who are able to travel to Hittisau easily for a residency and exhibition. A connection to Austrian – and ideally Vorarlberg – history and contemporary life is desirable. A good command of German is essential, as research and artistic work will be conducted in German.
When and where?
A residency lasting a total of four weeks at the Hittisau Women’s Museum (Vorarlberg), from mid-January to the end of March 2027; this may also be split into several blocks. Exhibition from 17 April 2027 at the Hittisau Women’s Museum. Applications must be submitted in English. Closing date for applications: 6 December 2026 (23:59 CET).
What should be done?
Research, development and production of a new work in the field of participatory, socially engaged visual arts, such as photography, film, animation, digital art, sound or small-scale installations. A fee of €3,000 and a production grant of up to €1,000. Accommodation, travel expenses and a daily allowance are provided.
Why WONDER?
The contribution made by women* to the resistance against National Socialism remained largely overlooked for decades. WONDER is giving a voice to this silenced form of resistance, in collaboration with four other cultural organisations across Europe.
WONDER is a European project that researches and honours the contribution of women* to the resistance against Nazism – as leaders, fighters, organisers, couriers and supporters. This contribution remained largely overlooked for decades.
The Hittisau Women’s Museum focuses on the resistance of women* in Vorarlberg and Austria. A historical overview by the historian Roswitha Fessler serves as the basis for the research. Building on this, the selected artist will develop a new participatory work, which will be shown from April 2027 as part of the annual exhibition on the theme of shame. We do not expect applicants to submit a fully completed work at the application stage. What is crucial is an independent artistic approach to the theme, from which a new work will emerge during the residency.
FAQs about WONDER
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We are looking for a professional artist, aged 18 or over, resident in Austria or another EU Member State, who can easily travel to Hittisau for the residency and exhibition. A connection to Austrian – ideally Vorarlberg – history and contemporary life is desirable. Applicants must have a demonstrable artistic practice (training, exhibition experience or a comparable career) and a good command of German, as research and artistic work are conducted in German.
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Participatory, socially engaged visual art: photography, film/video/animation, digital and multimedia works, sound and small-scale installations. The work must be suitable for display within the museum spaces. Purely theatrical, dance or performance-based formats are not eligible.
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The selected artist will receive a fee of €3,000 as well as a production cost grant of up to €1,000, which will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts. In addition, travel and accommodation for the residency and presentation in Rome will be provided, along with a daily allowance of €30 for each day spent in Hittisau, a workspace during the museum’s office hours, and logistical, curatorial and networking support. Travel will be booked as a one-off journey from the artist’s place of residence in accordance with EU travel guidelines. Laptops and mobile phones are not provided.
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No. The Women’s Museum does not have its own production workshop and cannot provide a studio. Artistic practice should be compatible with the spatial and technical facilities available at our museum.
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No. The residency lasts a total of four weeks between January and March 2027 and may take place in several blocks. The exact schedule will be determined in consultation with the museum. The development and production of the work must be completed by 31 March 2027, as it will form part of the exhibition on shame (opening: 17 April 2027). The exhibition runs until March 2028.
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Please complete the questions in the online questionnaire and upload a portfolio as a PDF file; both must be in English. It should include your current artistic CV and a selection of your previous work. If necessary, please provide a link to a more comprehensive portfolio. Please do not send any original works or physical pieces.
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A national selection panel will review the applications; the WONDER Project Steering Committee will make the final decision. Both bodies are part of the WONDER consortium. The criteria are the quality of your artistic practice, the quality of your responses to the questionnaire, and your demonstrable interest in the role of contemporary art in relation to the project’s themes. The decision is final; there is no legal entitlement to selection.
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The deadline for applications is 6 December 2026, 23:59 CET. You will be notified on 18 December 2026. If your application is successful, you will receive the research materials from the beginning of December 2026. Do you have any questions? Please contact stefania.pitscheider@frauenmuseum.at
Become part of WONDER
Women have resisted, and their stories are waiting to be told. Join us in exploring what has long remained hidden.
We look forward to receiving your application by 6 December 2026
