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Overview

Hyundai Blue Prize+ 2025 open call welcomes exhibition proposals for Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing from emerging curators worldwide engaged with the context of Asia.

 

In today’s ever-changing landscape, curators play a crucial role in examining contemporary cultural, sociopolitical, and technological transformations, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and shaping critical discourse. As curatorial practices evolve to reflect contemporary shifts, Hyundai Blue Prize+ serves as a laboratory for curators to challenge conventions and embrace diverse perspectives.

Eligibility

  1. Curators or curatorial collectives from around the world must meet one or more of the following criteria:

    • Currently reside and work in a country within Asia

    • Ancestral or cultural ties to Asia, including those of Asian descent and diasporas and living outside of the region

    • Actively conduct in-depth research on themes relevant to the contexts of Asia through their curatorial practice

  2. Must be an individual or collective submitting on their own behalf

  3. Must have curated at least one exhibition (solo or group)

  4. Must be able to present their proposal, articulate ideas, and collaborate effectively in English

  5. Must be able to attend key meetings and activities as part of this program

  6. Final two awardees must be able to present their proposal at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing as part of this program

Non-Eligibility

  1. Applying on behalf of an organization, institution, or company

  2. Applying with a proposal through which the applicant has received funding, awards, or curatorial opportunities in the past

Submission Requirement
Documents

  1. Application form

    * For collectives, all members must each complete and submit this form.

  2. CV or Portfolio

  3. Curatorial proposal, including:

    1. Curatorial statement outlining the exhibition

    2. Proposed list of artworks

    3. Preliminary exhibition design

      The exhibition should be designed for the gallery space on the second floor of Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing with the consideration of the exhibition being presented for at least 5-6 months.

      The exhibition design must include a plan to use the LED screen in the Room section of the exhibition space. Please refer to the floor plan attached.

    4. Budget plan

      Applicants must develop their exhibition proposal within the exhibition grant of 800,000 RMB.

    5. Public program framework

      Must be linked to the proposed exhibition.

 

Submission Format

  1. Language: English

  2. File type: PDF (max. total size: 30MB)

Download Application Form Download Exhibition Floor Plan
How to Apply

Email submissions to: info@hyundaiblueprize.com

Application Deadline

June 8, 2025 (11:59 PM, GMT+8)

Important Note

The submitted proposal must be the original creation of the applicant(s) and must not infringe on any third-party rights, including but not limited to copyright and other intellectual property rights. If a proposal is found to violate these terms, the organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify the applicant from the selection process, shortlisting, and awards. All legal responsibilities related to infringement will rest solely with the applicant(s).

 

By submitting the proposal, applicant(s) grant Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing exclusive rights to its content.

Process

Open Call

Application Submission

March 20 – June 8, 2025

Announcement

Five Shortlisted Finalists

July 2025

Proposal Development

Mentorship & Research Tour to China

July – October 2025

Final Presentation

Two Awardees Announcement

November 2025

Exhibition

First Exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing by an Awardee

2026

Exhibition

Second Exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing by an Awardee

2027

Benefit
Five Shortlisted Finalists:

  • One-on-one mentorship with the international jury panel

  • Research tour to China

    * Traveling cost for up to two members of the collective will be supported

  • 4,000 USD grant per curator/curatorial collective

 
Two Final Awardees:

  • Up to 800,000 RMB for exhibition production and implementation of the proposed exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing

  • Additional support for on-site operations and exhibition marketing and communications

    * Traveling cost for up to two members of the collective will be supported

Jury

  • Jochen Eisenbrand

    Chief Curator, Vitra Design Museum (Weil am Rhein)

  • Carol K. Huh

    Associate Curator of Contemporary Asian Art, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)

  • Frances Morris

    Former Director of Tate Modern (London) and Distinguished Visiting Professor, Ewha Womans University (Seoul)

  • Christiane Paul

    Curator of Digital Art, Whitney Museum of American Art (New York)

  • Philip Tinari

    Director, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing)
FAQ
About the Open Call
Q.
Are curators who have made submissions to previous editions of the Hyundai Blue Prize but did not win eligible to apply?
Yes, they are eligible to apply, provided that the proposal is not a repetition of their previous submission.
Q.
This Open Call invites emerging curators. How is “emerging” defined? If a curatorial collective includes members with varying levels of experience, is the collective still eligible to apply?
There is no restriction regarding professional experience. We encourage individuals and collectives from diverse backgrounds to apply, if they meet the eligibility criteria outlined on the Hyundai Blue Prize+ website. For curatorial collectives, all members must meet the eligibility criteria, with the exception of exhibition experience. Please refer to FAQ no.3 in the ‘About the Open Call’ section below.
Q.
Regarding eligibility, “Must have curated at least one exhibition,” does this apply to all members in a curatorial collective, or is it sufficient if just one member has such experience?
It is sufficient if at least one member of the collective has curated an exhibition. This requirement about previous curatorial experience applies to the collective as a whole, not to each individual member. However, all members must individually satisfy the remaining eligibility requirements.
Q.
Is there a limit to the number of members in a curatorial collective?
No. There is no limit to the number of members in a curatorial collective. However, if selected as finalists or as the final awardee, travel support will be provided for up to two members only.
Q.
Can curators affiliated with an institution apply?
Yes. Hyundai Blue Prize+ does not restrict applications from curators affiliated with institutions. However, applicants are responsible for ensuring compliance with any regulations set by their respective institutions before applying.
Q.
Can applicants apply multiple times during this open call period?
No, each applicant can submit only once. If multiple applications are received from the same applicant, only the first submission will be reviewed.
Q.
What if an applicant makes a mistake in their submission? Can they edit the proposal after submitting it?
If applicants need to make changes to their proposal or submit additional materials, please contact info@hyundaiblueprize.com before the application deadline. Requests for edits or additional materials submitted after the application deadline will not be considered.
Q.
Is there a specific theme for this year’s open call?
No. Hyundai Blue Prize+ welcomes proposals across a wide range of disciplines with no restrictions on category or theme. However, applicants must ensure their proposals meet the eligibility criteria including the requirements related to the context of Asia.
Q.
Can a curatorial proposal include artworks that have been exhibited before?
Yes, previously exhibited artworks may be included. However, proposals that have already received funding, awards, or curatorial opportunities will not be considered eligible.
Q.
What is the ceiling height of the exhibition space?
The maximum ceiling height of the exhibition space is 3.88 meters, with a height of approximately 3.05 meters beneath the beams. An Exhibition Floor Plan is available for download on the Hyundai Blue Prize+ 2025 Open Call page. Please note that only a rough spatial plan is required at this stage. Finalists will be asked to further develop their spatial plans following the venue inspection.
Q.
Can an exhibition design include hanging work from the ceiling?
Yes, it is possible. The maximum load capacity is approximately 200kg per square meter, but this may vary depending on the exact location where the work will be hung meaning additional review will be required during the installation planning phase. Please note that only a rough spatial plan is required at this stage. Finalists will be asked to further develop their spatial plans following the venue inspection.
Q.
Can applicants use areas within Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing other than the designated exhibition space?
No. Applicants can only use the areas marked on the Exhibition Floor Plan available on the Hyundai Blue Prize+ 2025 Open Call page.
About the Exhibition and Next Steps
Q.
How long does the research tour in China last?
The research tour in China, offered to the five shortlisted finalists, will last no more than five days. It will include a site visit to Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing, where final awardees will present their proposed exhibition. The specific dates and arrangements will be shared in late July or August.
Q.
Is the RMB 800,000 for the final awardees provided in cash?
No, the RMB 800,000 for exhibition production and implementation of the proposed exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing is not provided as cash to the final awardees. This will be the exhibition fund to be managed by Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing and available for use in realizing the exhibition including but not limited to exhibition-related expenses—such as artist fees, production, transportation, installation, design, travel and labor.
Q.
When will the exhibitions of the final awardees open?
The exhibitions of the two final awardees will be scheduled to open separately — one in mid-2026 and the other in early 2027. Further details will be announced in due course.
Q.
How long will each final awardee’s exhibition run?
Each exhibition will run for at least 5 to 6 months. Applicants will need to take this into consideration when developing their curatorial proposals.