Design: Ale Zapata
How would a truly accessible society look like? Materially, socially, infrastructurally? What kind of economic system could accommodate people with different abilities and take into account more-than-human needs? How can we offer each other care without pathologizing the issues or denying their existence? What would our surroundings—our homes and cities—look like if we create them from feminist, disabled, and neurodiverse perspectives?
For the sixth edition of the mental health awareness exhibition, we want to push the boundaries of mental health awareness centered on destigmatization and therapy accessibility into a politicized framework where artists become the architects of possible new futures—futures that prioritize the well-being of all over the economic gain of the few. Conceptually informed by feminist thought, disability justice and Mad Liberation movement, we are looking to create a space for a critical analysis of psychiatry and deconstruction of ‘normality,’ without slipping into the dogmas of the anti-psychiatry movement of the 1960s and ‘70s.
Through this open call, we invite artists to envision what an equitable and neurodiversity-affirming society could look like beyond the ‘possible’ and ‘realistic’ solutions limited by the current economic systems, and propose alternate realities that take into account the full spectrum of dis/abillities and needs. To allow maximum creativity, artists and collectives can apply with finished artworks responding to the topic, or with concepts focused on the ideas and planning phases, that showcase, without sacrificing the artistic qualities, the thought processes on (un)realistic societies, institutions, and governance alternatives through models, sketches, visual experiments, or live presentations.
SUBMISSION:
a short artwork description
photo/image/link to a video/concept of the work
argumentation of why it would fit this exhibition
SELECTION PROCESS AND FAQ:
Round I: Open call. February 23–March 23, 2026
Apply via THIS form with your proposal by March 23, 2026. All applicants will be informed about the results of the first round by April 7, 2026.
Round II: Interviews. April 8–17, 2026
Pre-selected artists will be invited for online or in-person interviews to discuss their projects in more detail, including material costs, installation needs, etc. Artists will be informed about the results of the second round by April 21, 2026.
FAQ
Installation: All selected artists need to be able to deliver their artworks to Improper Walls on May 13, 2026. The installation will take place between May 13 and 19.
Exhibition duration: All artworks need to be available during the entire exhibition duration from May 20 until July 22, 2026.
Application is free of charge and open to artists worldwide; however, due to limited budget, the potential shipping costs and insurance will be considered in the selection process.
Both individual artists and collectives are eligible to apply. Multiple submissions by the same artist or collective are possible.
Remuneration: All selected artists will receive an honorarium per project. The amount will be determined based on the number of selected artworks. Artists will have a chance to accept or withdraw their proposal if they don’t find the honorarium sufficient.
Medium: Medium-wise, there is no restriction; however, due to limited budget, the potential material costs and installation/deinstallation will be considered in the selection process.
If you have any other questions, please contact the curator via email at barbora@improperwalls.com