"Curator Wanted" is an initiative aimed at selecting the best exhibition proposal developed by an independent curator or group of curators, to be implemented in the Sala de Arte Joven throughout the year 2026.

The objective of this exhibition program is to offer both professionals in the sector and the general public an overview of current artistic creation in the Community of Madrid. The proposed exhibitions may cover any topic, discipline, or artistic format, provided they stay within the previously defined schedule and budget limits.

The proposals must include works by artists preferably under 35 years of age, Spanish or foreign, who live, work, or exhibit in the Community of Madrid. Artists, mediators, artistic or educational teams who have already participated in the program during the last two editions (2024 and 2025) are not eligible.

Projects that experiment with new exhibition formats and include parallel activities such as talks, guided tours, roundtables, workshops, and meetings will be viewed very positively.

Previous winners of the "Curator Wanted" program are excluded from this edition.

Curator Wanted – XVII Edition Requirements

Second – Participants

Spanish or foreign curators under the age of 35 (by the submission deadline) who reside in the Community of Madrid may participate, individually or as a group. In the case of collectives, at least 50% of members must meet the age requirement, and a representative must be designated.

Participants may not include themselves in the exhibition as artists.

The responsibilities of selected curators include:

• Writing a detailed project proposal that includes all requirements for planning the exhibitions and activities, as well as a detailed and realistic budget.

• Overseeing and designing the installation and the development of the public and educational programs, supplying material for press, social media, and other media outlets (including attending the media launch).

• Providing all necessary documentation (texts, images, etc.) for the production of a catalog or publication linked to the selected project.

• Managing permissions and providing all necessary documentation for displaying and reproducing the works in any format, online or offline.

Third – Documentation

Applicants must submit the following:

• Completed registration form (download available).

• Artistic CV (max. 2 A4 pages).

• Copy of ID, passport, or residency card.

• Project dossier (PDF format, max. 4MB), including:
  Project title.
  Proposal narrative (max. 5 A4 pages).
  List of participating artists and their CVs.
  Technical sheets and images of the works.
  Sketches and project images.
  Technical requirements.
  Schedule of activities.
  Estimated budget (including taxes), broken down by exhibition and activity.
  Any other relevant supporting documentation or visual material.

Fourth – Budget

The total budget for the project is €50,000 (including taxes).

• Curator’s fee: €5,000 (including taxes) per selected curator, subject to applicable tax withholdings. Payment will be made after the exhibition’s inauguration.

• €45,000 (including taxes) will cover all other costs related to:
  Artist fees, collaborator payments, and production of artworks.
  Expenses related to installation and activity programming.
  Artwork insurance.
  Transportation of works.
  Travel and accommodation for artists and curators, if needed.
  Design and printing of brochures and catalog (text, layout, images...).

The selected project’s budget will be reviewed and managed by the Directorate General of Culture and Creative Industries.

Fifth – Submission Deadline

Projects may be submitted from the day following the publication on the Comunidad de Madrid website until Friday, May 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM (noon).

Submission methods:

Online:Via the "Generic Request" form of the Comunidad de Madrid:
https://sede.comunidad.madrid/prestacionsocial/formulario-solicitudgenerica

In person:At the Registry of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports (C/ Caballero de Gracia No. 32) or through any means stated in Article 16 of Law 39/2015 of October 1 on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations.

Submissions must include:

• The completed registration form.

• A USB or CD with the required documentation in digital format, inside an envelope labeled with:
  “Proceso Se busca comisario 2026”
  Recipient: Consejería de Cultura, Turismo y Deporte. D.G. de Cultura e Industrias Creativas. S.G. Bellas Artes

Additional documentation may also be sent to:
museosexposiciones@madrid.org
Subject: "XVII edición Se busca comisario 2026"

Informative session:
A session will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 17:00 (5:00 PM) via Zoom:
[Click here to join]
Meeting ID: 918 8151 2197
Access code: 692879
(The session will not be recorded or available later.)

For any queries, contact: museosexposiciones@madrid.org

Note: Any personal data provided through this email will be processed as part of the activity “Information dissemination of activities organized by the Directorate General of Culture and Creative Industries.”

Sixth – Selection

A technical committee—chaired by the Deputy Director of Fine Arts, an art advisor from the Community of Madrid, the Director of CA2M Museum, and three respected professionals—will evaluate and select the winning project based on artistic quality.

The committee’s decision is final.

The selected curator(s) will be notified by email, and the results will be publicly announced in July 2025 on:
https://www.comunidad.madrid/cultura/oferta-cultural-ocio/se-busca-comisario

Seventh – Curator Commitments

The selected curator(s) must:

• Develop the project within the set timeline and terms; otherwise, they must withdraw and return any funds received.

• Not present the project (in part or in full) in public until the exhibition is held.

• Comply with all usage rules for facilities and spaces as directed by the Fine Arts Department.

• Inform of any modifications made to the project.

• Justify all costs according to the standards of the Comunidad de Madrid.

Eighth – Disclaimer

The Comunidad de Madrid is not responsible for any relationships or agreements between curators, artists, or third parties involved in the exhibition. The Directorate General of Culture and Creative Industries will oversee the execution and outcome of the project, although it will be managed by the selected curator.

Ninth – Confidentiality

The Comunidad de Madrid guarantees the confidentiality of all submitted documentation, in accordance with Spain's Organic Law 15/1999 of December 13 on the protection of personal data.

Tenth – Acceptance of Rules

Participation implies full acceptance of all outlined requirements.