Public Call for the Selection of the Curatorial-Authoral Team for the National Pavilion of Montenegro at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice

The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property has launched a Public Call for the selection of the curatorial-authorial team to represent Montenegro at the XX International Architecture Exhibition in Venice – Biennale Architettura 2027.

Theme of the international exhibition

The curators of the XX Venice Architecture Biennale, Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, have defined the overarching theme of the exhibition entitled:

“Do Architecture — For the Possibility of Coexistence Facing a Real Reality”.

Articulation of the theme in the national context

The overarching theme of the Biennale, "Do Architecture – For the Possibility of Coexistence Facing a Real Reality", directs attention to architecture as an active form of practice in the contemporary world, raising questions about its role and responsibility in relation to complex social, spatial, ecological, and technological circumstances.

In the Montenegrin context, this theme offers an opportunity to re-examine how architecture operates in spaces of exceptional natural, cultural, and historical value, which are simultaneously subject to intense development and transformation processes.

A particularly significant context in this regard is provided by natural and cultural-historical areas under UNESCO protection. Their internationally recognized status, along with the values underpinning it, entails the need for preservation while simultaneously raising questions regarding their use, development, and transformation under contemporary living conditions.

Accordingly, the Public Call frames the national problematics around the relationship between architectural practice and natural and cultural heritage sites, with special focus on UNESCO-protected areas.

Candidates are expected to build upon the Biennale's main theme and the specified national framework to develop their own curatorial-authorial concept for Montenegro's National Presentation. This includes defining its theme, research position, title, methodological approach, content, and the manner of spatial and exhibition articulation.

Competition deadlines

• The Competition opens on: October 13, 2026;
• Submission Deadline: November 16, 2026, by 14:00 (CET);
• Announcement of Results: November 23, 2026.

Competition documentation must be submitted electronically to: bijenale.mne@gmail.com

The results will be published on the following websites: www.gov.me/mdup and www.architecturalcompetitions.me.

Deadline for questions

• Deadline for Submitting Questions: October 19, 2026;
• Deadline for Publishing Answers: October 23, 2026.

Questions must be sent to: bijenale.mne@gmail.com

Answers will be published on: www.gov.me/mdup and www.architecturalcompetitions.me.

Competition budget

The total budget for the production and implementation of the national presentation of Montenegro is: €100,000.00 (NET).

Eligibility criteria

Joint curatorial-author teams meeting the following criteria are eligible to apply:

The team must consist of at least one curator and at least one author/designer;

The team may be interdisciplinary (architects, artists, designers, researchers);

The curator role may be held by an individual or a curatorial duo;

At least one member of the curatorial team must have proven experience in projects of similar scale, nature, and significance (exhibition and curatorial practices in architecture or contemporary art) and be fluent in English;

The lead member of the author team must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture (Dipl. Ing. Arch., M.Arch., or equivalent);

At least one member of the author team must be fluent in English;

At least one member of the overall curatorial-author team must hold Montenegrin citizenship and/or residency in Montenegro;

Each individual may participate in only one team for this Copmetition;

The applying team must appoint one authorized representative for legal and financial communication with the Organizer (whether a legal entity, an individual, or a group of individuals). Teams composed of individuals must designate one team member to whose account payments will be remitted (detailed information is provided in the Call documentation – Statement Form for Legal Entities and Individuals);

Team members shall regulate their mutual relations, copyright ownership, honorarium division, and responsibilities through a mutual agreement;

By submitting an enty, the team is deemed to accept all terms and conditions of this Competiton.

Competition Jury

1. Mirjana Đurišić, Commissioner of the National Participation of Montenegro at the XX International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia;
2. Dr. Miljana Zeković, Full Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad;
3. Dr. Ivan Šuković, Visual artist and co-author of the exhibition for the Montenegrin Pavilion at the XIX International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2025;
4. Ana Dobrašinović, M.Arch.;
5. Mina Novosel, M.Arch., Member of the Creative Team for Montenegro's Participation at the XX Venice Architecture Biennale.

Registration

Registration for participation is not required.

Participation in the competition is free of charge.

The competition documentation is available for download in link:

• Public Call
• Statement form
• Artenova osnova
• Information of exibition space