OPEN CALL FOR CHIEF CURATOR
The Ulaanbaatar Biennale is pleased to announce an open call for the Chief Curator for its upcoming 2ndedition, to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 4- 30, 2027.
Started in 2025, the Ulaanbaatar Biennale, the largest contemporary art platform in Mongolia, aims foster dialogue between local and global artistic practices and position Ulaanbaatar as a vital art hub in the region.
We invite applications from experienced curators who meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of five previously curated international exhibitions, biennales, or comparable large-scale projects
- Interest in Mongolian culture and its cultural, geo-political, and ecological context
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising and resource mobilization for large-scale projects
- The ability to work flexibly and adapt to diverse and evolving circumstances
- Skilled in collaborating with diverse teams and artists from various cultural backgrounds, engaging with both international and local stakeholders.
The selected Curator will be responsible for developing the curatorial concept, shaping the artistic vision of the Biennale, curating the main exhibition, and working closely with the Organizing Committee, artists, partners, and funders.
Open call deadline: April 10, 2026
Submission guidelines
We invite highly motivated, dynamic, and experienced curators to propose a compelling curatorial concept that aligns with the Ulaanbaatar Biennale’s mission and scope.
Role & Responsibilities
The Curator will be responsible for:
- Developing the overall curatorial theme and conceptual framework
- Selecting participating artists and artworks for the main exhibition
- Shaping the main exhibition narrative and spatial approach, and developing public programs
- Collaborating with the Biennale team, artists, and partners
- Writing catalog essays and contributing to the design and publication
- Work with the marketing team to develop promotional materials, press kits, and digital content
- Enhance fundraising efforts by engaging with international funding organizations
Application Requirements
Applicants are requested to submit:
- Short bio
- Curriculum Vitae
- Portfolios and links to previous exhibitions and projects (4 pages maximum)
- Curatorial statement or concept proposal, and potential artists’ list (two pages maximum)
All materials should be submitted in English as a single PDF.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by the Biennale Selection Committee. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or to further develop their proposals.
Timeline
- Open Call Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Interview with short-listed candidates: April 20-30, 2026
- Notification of Selected Curator: May 08, 2026
- Concept development, selection of artists, supporting fundraising initiatives, and exhibition installation and other preparations (remote work): May 2026- April 2027
- Exhibition installation, publication, marketing, and opening of exhibition (on-site work in Ulaanbaatar): May-June, 2026; May-July, 2027
The Biennale covers costs for managing and producing the exhibitions and public programs, as well as the curator’s fees, accommodation, and travel expenses.
Submission & Inquiries
Please submit applications to:
development@artscouncil.mn
For questions, contact:
development@artscouncil.mn
About Ulaanbaatar Biennale
The Ulaanbaatar Biennale (UBB) is initiated by the Ulaanbaatar City Mayor in cooperation with the Arts Council of Mongolia in 2025. The Arts Council of Mongolia is the NGO, established in 2002 and it is the main organizer of the Biennale.
The inaugural Ulaanbaatar Biennale, ‘On the horizon, under the moon’, curated by Australian curator Tian Zhang, was held across multiple venues in Mongolia’s capital from May 6 to 20, 2025. The largest contemporary art event ever held in the city, it featured 130 artists from 25 countries in over 18 venues, including Australia, China, Kazakhstan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, The Philippines, Taiwan and the USA. The Biennale program included the main exhibition, partner and side exhibitions, outdoor installations, children’s education program and symposium. The audience reach was over 10,000 people. 68 partner organizations were involved in the delivery of the Biennale, including 27 arts and cultural organizations.
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