WONDER
Woman Narratives During the European Resistance
OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS
WONDER
WONDER is a European project that researches, honors, and highlights the contributions and courage of women in the resistance against fascism and Nazism—a topic that has been largely overlooked for decades. The project also aims to raise awareness of the value of women’s participation in strengthening democracies and protecting fundamental rights.
WONDER will run concurrently from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, at five cultural organizations in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland, and will conclude with a joint event in Rome in December 2027.
Within this framework, “Frauen in der Einen Welt”, with its museum “Frauenkultur Regional – International”, will focus on women’s resistance against National Socialism in Germany and Franconia.
The project is built on a study commissioned specifically for this project on women’s resistance and its reception in Germany, as well as additional written and visual materials provided by Frauen in der Einen Welt e.V.
In a participatory process, the artist will develop a work during a four-week residency - at intervals to be agreed upon - and with an open studio at the museum in May 2027. This work will be integrated into the upcoming exhibition: “Women’s Voices of Resistance and Civil Courage, 1933 to the Present” (May 29 to October 3, 2027).
We do not expect applicants to submit a completed work at this stage. What matters most is an independent artistic approach to the theme, from which a new work will emerge during the residency.
Historical research, contemporary artistic perspectives, and current discourses will thus be brought together and utilized in networking and educational initiatives to foster a culture of democratic resistance.
Who can apply?
Professional artists who reside and/or work in Germany and have a connection to German and Franconian history and contemporary life. A good command of German and a minimum age of 18 are required.
What can you expect?
We welcome participatory and socially engaged works in the fields of painting, textile art, photography, video, digital and multimedia art, as well as small-scale installations. The work should be able to integrate into the museum’s space.
What is WONDER?
We want to honor and highlight women’s resistance and their moral courage. Historical research and contemporary artistic expressions come together. This creates new momentum for dialogue among people, for educational work, and for a vibrant, democratic culture of remembrance.
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Artist’s fee of €3,000.00
Production costs of up to €1,000.00 (upon submission of receipts)
Travel expenses from the place of residence specified on the application form. Accommodation and living expenses during the agreed residency period and during the exhibition.
Expenses will be reimbursed according to the specific circumstances and place of residence, based on the criteria set forth in the Federal Travel Expenses Act (BRKG). All expenses must be coordinated in advance with the host organization.
Access to workspaces at the Museum Frauenkultur Regional – International
Logistical, curatorial, and networking support during the residency and presentation
Visibility through the communication channels of WONDER and Frauen in der Einen Welt e.V.
Participation in and coverage of costs for the closing event in December 2027 in Rome
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Would you like to apply? We’re delighted! Please complete the online questionnaire in English only. You’ll find the link to the questionnaire on this website. In addition, please upload a PDF document of no more than five pages. Please submit only the following documents:
your answers to the substantive questions in the questionnaire
a PDF document (max. 5 pages) containing your current artistic resume (CV) with your education, exhibitions, or projects, and a portfolio or a selection of your previous work
if necessary, a link to a more extensive portfolio
Please do not submit original works or physical pieces. We accept only the digital documents listed above. -
The selection process consists of two stages and is conducted by a panel of experts: an initial review by a national selection committee, followed by a final decision by the WONDER Project Steering Committee. The members of both committees are part of the WONDER consortium and possess relevant curatorial and professional expertise. The decision is based on artistic and content-related criteria and is final. There is no legal entitlement to selection.
The selection is based on:
Quality of the artistic practice
Quality of the responses in the application form
Identifiable interest in the role of contemporary art in relation to the project’s themes
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The residency, which lasts a total of four weeks, will take place at the Museum Frauenkultur Regional – International between January and May 2027. The exact dates and possible time slots will be agreed upon jointly.
What expenses are reimbursed?
Accommodation and living expenses during the residency period, as well as for the agreed-upon period of attendance during the exhibition, will be reimbursed as they are incurred.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Expenses Act (BRKG), based on the artist’s place of residence and the specific circumstances.
Important: All expenses must be coordinated in advance with the host organization.
Reimbursement can only be made within the framework of the agreed-upon conditions.
Non-EU citizens must have a valid visa and/or a valid work permit for the duration of their stay.
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December 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET: Application deadline
December 18, 2026: Notification of the selected artist
FAQ about WONDER
Do you have further questions about the application process? We'd be happy to help: info@frauenindereinenwelt.de.
Become a part
of WONDER!
Join us in researching and telling the untold stories of women in the European resistance against Nazism and fascism.
We look forward to receiving your application in English by December 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CET.
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Founded in 1995, ECCOM promotes the role of culture in contemporary society as a tool for audience development, social inclusion, and lifelong learning. It combines consultancy, research, and training across the cultural sector and has led and partnered in numerous EU-funded projects (Culture Programme, Lifelong Learning, Creative Europe, Horizon, etc.). It was also a partner of the Study on Audience Development, delivered for the European Commission in 2015. ECCOM is part of major international networks such as Culture Action Europe, ICOM, IAWM, and Disorderly Women. https://www.eccom.it/en/
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As Austria’s only women’s museum, FH brings essential expertise at the intersection of gender, memory, and contemporary art. Its curatorial and institutional practice is rooted in feminist pedagogy and participatory approaches, often developed in collaboration with contemporary artists. Through its award-winning interdisciplinary work, the museum connects historical research with artistic expression to explore underrepresented narratives and reimagine forms of women’s agency. Addressing contemporary social challenges such as care, peace, justice, and sustainability through a gendered lens, FH contributes a unique and impactful methodology to the project’s broader goals of cultural justice and inclusive memory. https://www.frauenmuseum.at/
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Since the founding of Frauen in der Einen Welt in 1989, and the Museum Museum Frauenkultur Regional – International, established in 2006, one focus was on women's biographies of resistance—during National Socialism and in broader struggles for human rights and democracy. An essential part of our collections is narrative textiles created from individual and collective resistance movements, as well as traveling exhibitions that connect the results of our research internationally. https://www.frauenindereinenwelt.de/
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Since 2008, IAWM has promoted cooperation and exchange between women's museums around the world to give voice to women from different cultural and socio-political backgrounds. Its global perspective is reflected in exhibitions that highlight women's struggles and achievements, fostering solidarity and collective action. The network and its museums advocate for inclusive curation and representation, intersectional approaches, interactive exhibitions, digital engagement, and institutional self-examination. IAWM has established itself as a hub of expertise: connecting museums, amplifying women’s stories, and promoting gender-sensitive policies in cultural heritage and remembrance. https://www.iawm.international/
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H401 is a private cultural foundation based in the former home of Gisèle d’Ailly van Waterschoot van der Gracht, who sheltered Jewish youth during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. Through research, artistic practice, exhibitions, and public programmes, H401 promotes inclusive dialogue and social change. WONDER will coincide with H401’s reopening following renovations, using guided tours, lectures, workshops, and dialogue circles to contextualise Gisèle’s resistance and connect her story to broader histories of women’s resistance, memory, and civic engagement. https://h401.org/
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Founded in 2023, FIB builds on over two decades of experience in vocal arts, beatbox, and creative education. Its team has organised festivals, workshops, and programmes for youth, disadvantaged groups, and migrant communities in cooperation with cultural institutions and civil society organisations. FIB harnesses the creative power of the human voice— especially beatboxing—as a tool for empowerment and social change, promoting values of development, respect, and inclusion while fostering integration and building skills, confidence, and community through music-based techniques. https://instytutbeatboxu.pl/
WONDER partners