Q. Your space for creativity
AI-generated image
Open Call: Art & Design Ideas
Design ideas for exhibition pieces at Q.
Q. Dein Raum für Wissenschaft is currently developing its first themed exhibition, which is due to open in 2027. The starting point for this is a collaborative process between Q. and researchers from its three sponsoring institutions: the University of Vienna, the Vienna University of Technology and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. As part of this process, key themes and questions have been identified, which are now to be translated into specific exhibition displays.
To this end, Q. is inviting designers, artists and creative agencies to submit design ideas for exhibits for this first themed exhibition. The selected ideas will be further developed in collaboration with Q.’s exhibition team and realised in time for the opening in 2027.
Q. (as in ‘Questions’) sees science communication as an invitation to ask questions. As a new space for science in the heart of Vienna, Q. aims to spark curiosity and break down barriers between science and society. Q.’s main target audience is teenagers and young adults.
What we are looking for
With this call, we are seeking creative, artistic, speculative and communicative approaches for exhibits that convey scientific content in an accessible, surprising and interactive way. The exhibits should combine two levels: an intellectual approach that makes the underlying science comprehensible, and an emotional level that fosters wonder, interest, a shift in perspective and ‘aha’ moments. We are looking for powerful experiences that not only make scientific topics understandable, but also move, unsettle, inspire and encourage further questioning.
The ideas submitted can take various forms within the exhibition space: spatial installations, interactive exhibits, media-based formats, speculative designs, participatory settings, graphic or narrative approaches, as well as hybrid forms at the intersection of design, art, science and education. We are particularly keen on exhibits that offer a rich experiential value – that is, visually striking, surprising and shareable moments (‘Instagrammable’) with a ‘wow’ factor, which invite visitors to share their perspectives and experiences.
Visualisation of exhibits, AI-generated imagery
Credit: Q. Your Space for Science
Who we are looking for
Designers, artists, studios, creative agencies and interdisciplinary teams with experience in developing exhibition formats, educational settings, interactive installations or creative approaches to complex topics.
General information
What to submit
As a first step, we ask you to submit an expression of interest accompanied by a portfolio. The portfolio should comprise a maximum of three selected projects that are particularly relevant to this call for entries. Based on these documents, Q. will invite selected applicants to an online briefing. During this briefing, the core content of the first themed exhibition, the framework conditions and possible starting points for design ideas will be presented. Following the briefing, the invited designers, artists, agencies and teams may submit concept sketches, including an initial budget estimate, for potential exhibits or exhibition areas. This call explicitly does not seek fully developed exhibits, but rather strong creative ideas that can be further developed in the next stage in collaboration with the Q. exhibition team.
What we look for
Submitted expressions of interest will be assessed in particular according to the following criteria:
- Experience in exhibition settings
Proven experience in the conception and implementation of formats, installations or exhibits that work within an exhibition context and are accessible, robust and comprehensible to visitors.
- Artistic and creative execution
The quality and originality of the design, artistic or communicative approaches, as well as the potential to create powerful spatial, visual or interactive experiences.
- Translating complex/scientific content into exhibition experiences
The ability or recognisable potential to translate complex scientific topics into exhibition experiences that are understandable, accessible and, at the same time, precise in terms of content, which arouse curiosity and invite visitors to ask further questions.
Young teams are explicitly invited to apply. Teams whose applicants are under 40 years of age and who do not yet have a sufficient number of completed reference projects may submit a total of three concept sketches and/or prototypes as their portfolio instead of completed projects. The submitted concepts or prototypes must clearly demonstrate the design potential, the approach to content and the ability to develop ideas suitable for exhibition.
Further Development
Selected ideas will be further developed in collaboration with the Q. exhibition team and the applicants. The aim is to develop specific exhibits for the Q.’s first themed exhibition.
We are looking for individual exhibits (not large-scale installations) that can be integrated into the exhibition space. Depending on the type of exhibit, an area of approximately 0.5 to around 7 square metres may be allocated for this purpose.
The exhibits must be completed by March 2027 and installed on site at the Q. Submitting teams must therefore have the necessary capacity to carry out the further development, completion and installation of the exhibits during this period, in collaboration with the Q.’s exhibition team.
Timetable and Deadlines
9 July 2026
Deadline for expressions of interest with portfolio
by 13 July 2026
Review of expressions of interest and feedback to all applicants; invitation to selected applicants to attend a briefing.
An NDA will be sent out with the invitation for signing.
16 July 2026, 13:00–17:00
Online briefing including breakout sessions on the exhibition themes
Duration: approx. 4 hours
Following this: dispatch of the preliminary contract and supporting documentation
By 24 July 2026, 13:00
Deadline for submitting written enquiries
9 August 2026
Deadline for submission of concept outline
Scope: approx. 1 page of text plus mood boards, sketches and/or visual references and an initial budget estimate
By 21 August 2026
Feedback to all entrants
Submission
Expressions of interest, including portfolios, may be submitted until 9 July 2026.
Please send your documents to calls@scicom.center