BPA// Berlin program for artists is a mentoring program that facilitates exchange between emerging and established Berlin-based artists. Founded in 2016 by Angela Bulloch, Simon Denny and Willem de Rooij, BPA organizes reciprocal studio visits, public lectures and joint exhibitions. In 2020 and 2021 KW partners with BPA. The formats BPA Talks and BPA Exhibitions take place within the framework of this partnership.

In the spring of 2020 and summer of 2021, KW hosts the lecture series BPA Talks on six separate days. On each day four BPA participants will present their work to the general public in one-hour presentations. Afterwards, BPA mentors will share their thoughts on alternative structures for artistic exchange. The format is flexible, ranging from introductory presentations of the artist’s work to lecture performances. In 2021, KW hosts BPA Exhibitions, a curated group show showcasing new work developed by participants during their working period with BPA.

BPA selects ten artists each year for participation over a two year period. Core mentors include Saâdane Afif, Yalda Afsah, Monika Baer, Mariana Castillo Deball, Calla Henkel and Max Pitegoff, Bouchra Khalili, Thomas Locher, Olaf Nicolai, and Wolfgang Tillmans. They are joined each year by a team of guest mentors. BPA does not have a fixed location – activity is concentrated in the studios of the artists involved with the program. The 2020/2021 partnership between KW and BPA provides to the public an introduction to the work of Berlin’s most promising emerging artists.

Key Dates

BPA Talks
BPA participants and mentors speak in public at KW Institute for Contemporary Art

BPA Talks 1
10 February 20, 1–8 pm
Rob Crosse, Victor Payares, Doireann O’Malley, Esper Postma, Clémentine Deliss

BPA Talks 2
5 May 20
Nadja Abt, Niklas Binzberger, Dina Khouri, Anton Steenbock, Kader Attia

BPA Talks 3
1 October 20, 4–8 pm, Gropius Bau
Online at KW’s website from 6–31 October 20
Anne Fellner, Bertrand Flanet, Katrin Winkler, Calla Henkel & Max Pitegoff

BPA Talks 4
12 April 21, 5–8 pm, online lecture series
Kévin Blinderman, Mooni Perry, Joshua Schwebel, Antje Majewski & Olivier Guesselé-Garai

BPA Talks 5

17 May 21, 5–8 pm, online lecture series

Sofia Defino Leiby, Shirin Sabahi, Saâdane Afif

BPA Talks 6

12 July 21, 5–8 pm, online lecture series

Xiaopeng Zhou, Jana Schulz, Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw, Julia Grosse & Yvette Mutumba

BPA// Exhibitions
BPA participants present new work at KW Institute for Contemporary Art

BPA// Exhibition 2021
21 August – 19 September 21
Kévin Blinderman, Sofia Leiby, Mooni Perry, Shirin Sabahi, Jana Schulz, Joshua Schwebel, Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw, Xiaopeng Zhou