QMA Artist Collective 2026

Since its foundation in 2019, the Viennese initiative QUESTION ME & ANSWER (QMA) has pursued the vision of a Vienna art scene where heterogeneity is the norm, a constant influx of new artistic perspectives is given and there is free access for all. The initiative implements several yearly programs aiming at proactive networking between newcomers and established members of Vienna's art and culture scene. Through close collaboration with Viennese art institutions, QMA offers guidance to international artists new to Vienna and curates regular events for the general public, showcasing artistic positions of artists still underrepresented in the city.

The program is constantly developed further to meet the current needs we see in the scene and foster sustained collaborations. In 2026, the changes are broader. The call is addressed only to artists new to Vienna. Selected artists will become part of a 8-month collective process, included in our freshly curated QMA Artist Database, invited to a Mini-Residency, and introduced to the city’s important art and culture actors—including artists, curators, and gallerists.

Read more on our motivation for our work in our Mission Statement. 
Further information about the programme and the participants of the last QMA Artist Collectives can be found on our website.

The QMA Artist Collective programme offers:
● Exchange and dialogue with fellow artists - new to Vienna but also established in the scene
● Encounters and conversations with local curators
● Dedicated space and time to reflect on one’s artistic practice
● Attentive peer review and constructive feedback from the project’s curators
● Support in accessing and shaping new artistic networks in Vienna
● Access and contacts to renowned local art and cultural institutions and commercial galleries

Who can apply: 
Artists who moved to Vienna less than 6 years ago from the Global South or the CESEE* region (*Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine).
Citizens of the countries listed, who have lived in other regions of the world in the last 6 years, are also welcome to apply. Please note that in the framework of this program we do not put any importance on the notion of formal citizenship, but rely on self-defi nition. This means that of course stateless persons who identify with the listed regions or individuals, who never received the citizenship of the country they consider their home, are also welcome to apply.

Format & Media:
Unrestricted (interdisciplinary, digital, performance, painting, sculpture, etc)

Submission Requirements: 
A short biography of the artist, three examples (with photos/videos) of previous work with descriptions and a letter of motivation (max. A4 page). Please note that you should not send a complete portfolio.

Language of Application:
Preferably English or German, but all other languages are also possible. In these cases, the application will be translated with a translation programme, which may lead to misunderstandings.

How to apply: 
Applications can be submitted until Tuesday, the 10th of March 2026, 23:59 (CET) via the application form on the Website for the Open Call.

Should anything be unclear or the form not working for you, please write to us via the Instagram Account for QMA or mail to contact@questionmeandanswer.com.

We will also host a zoom session about the open call, so you can ask your questions directly. It will take place on Friday, February 20th at 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (CET).
Please register until February 19th at 09:30 AM on the Website for the Open Call and you will get the zoom link one day in advance.

Selection Process:
We make sure that this Open Call is advertised as broadly as possible in order to reach all target groups equally and to ensure that all possible applicants have the same chances to apply. The selection will be made by an external jury as well as the QMA team and will be based on a number of different criteria. By March 23rd 2026, all selected artists will be announced via email.