Der kleine Laden

... exhibition space & sensory archive of the district

PACT Zollverein is inviting artistic positions to participate in a special exhibition project in the northern district of Essen. This year, Der Kleine Laden (The small shop), a former shop with a generous window facade located in the centre of Katernberg, is being transformed into a platform for artistic exploration of key global issues and their significance for the neighbourhood, its residents and the Ruhr Area as a whole.

The two thematic exhibitions in July and September 2025 will focus on this year’s theme of Water. Existing works which illuminate the relationship between water as a natural phenomenon, resource and/or cultural symbol from different perspectives may be submitted – including multisensory projects integrating sound, language, light, scents, objects and video. The exhibitions are designed in such a way that the works can be viewed and experienced through the storefront window as an interface between private and public space.

Der Kleine Laden will be open at selected times to enable direct interaction with visitors and local residents. The exhibitions are complemented by a multi-layered, transdisciplinary programme of performances and readings at PACT Zollverein, workshops at WerkStadt and open formats in the urban vicinity, including thematic walks that make the topic tangible to visitors.
 

OPEN CALL: Focus on Water

With this call for entries, we are seeking artistic contributions for both exhibitions simultaneously. In particular, regional artists from the Ruhr region and North Rhine-Westphalia working on the theme of »Water« are invited to present existing works in Der Kleine Laden.

#1 Exhibition period: 
June 27 - August 24, 2025

#2 Exhibition period:
September 20 - November 23, 2025


Multisensory approach

We are particularly interested in works that utilise different media, such as sound, language, light, scents, objects and video in order to make the experience tangible in various sensory ways, thus facilitating multi-layered perception.  


Presentation and supporting programme

The exhibitions in the space Der Kleine Laden must be designed in such a way that the works can be seen and experienced from the outside. The doors of the space will be opened at specific intervals to allow visitors and local inhabitants an intimate experience of the works. However, the storefront window remains the central display area.

The exhibition will be complemented by a supporting programme featuring various formats, including performances and readings at PACT Zollverein as well as workshops in the WerkStadt and open formats in the urban vicinity, such as thematic walks offering unique experiences and showcasing unusual practices.

Conditions

  • Fee per exhibition of 1,000 EUR (gross)

  • Material costs of up to 500 EUR

  • Part-time working space in the WerkStadt in Essen-Katernberg (by arrangement)

  • Networking opportunities via WerkStadt contacts and collaborations

  • Technical support during set-up  

  • Accommodation and travelling expenses are not covered

  • Transportation expenses are not covered

  • Presence during the project period: Project presentation in the neighborhood on May 30, 2025 and while opening, constructing & dismantling of the exhibition (the exact schedule can be viewed in the PDF below)

 


Exhibition space

  • The absence of regular opening hours means that the submitted works should be visible from outside the space.

  • The exhibition space is approx. 30 square metres in size (dimensions: length approx. 7.40 m, width approx. 3.50 m, height approx. 2.40 m)

  • Power up to 7,000 watts

  • No water connection and no toilet in the exhibition space (access to the toilet in the »Kon-Takt« community centre during the day and in the WerkStadt with your own key around the clock).

  • Accessibility: The exhibition space and community centre are accessible to wheelchair users. The WerkStadt is also accessible via a ramp with a width of 90 cm. There is a barrier-free car park in front of the WerkStadt.

The toilet in the WerkStadt is not accessible to wheelchair users. There is an accessible toilet in the ›Kon-Takt‹ community centre, which can be used during the centre’s opening hours. The community centre can be reached on foot in 1 minute, the WerkStadt in max. 5 minutes.


 
Open Call as PDF

 

We look forward to the submission of creative contributions which address contemporary issues and present these for reflection and discussion in an urban context. Particular emphasis will be placed on the perspectives and expertise of people who are often disregarded, made invisible or not taken seriously. 

We warmly invite artists with disabilities to apply in a tandem constellation with an assistant who is familiar with the aesthetics of accessibility. We provide an additional budget of 500 EUR per exhibition for this form of assistance.

Applications may only be made by using the following form:

Apply now!

The closing date for applications is May 4, 2025. 

In case of any questions, please reach out to
Mina Mahmoudian:
mina.mahmoudian@pact-zollverein.de