Pogo Bar Open Call 2026

The Pogo Bar is a monthly, experimental program for live and time-based projects by emerging artists who live and work in Berlin. The events usually take place during the KW exhibition periods, on the third Thursday of each month. Pogo Bar provides a platform for works in progress, excerpts from existing works, screenings, as well as dialogues or participatory formats from the fields of performance, music and sound, video, and spoken word.

Located in the basement of KW, the Pogo Bar takes its name from a bar and party venue that was situated there in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, the space has been used for various purposes, including as an exhibition space, bar, and event venue. In 2017, the name Pogo Bar was reintroduced for a curatorial series; since 2025, this format has been specifically aimed at artists working in Berlin.

On the occasion of the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Pogo Bar, KW is issuing an open call addressed to emerging artists living in Berlin who work with time-based arts. Pogo Bar is curated by KW Assistant Curators Linda Franken and Lara Scherrieble. Together with Nan Xi, Assistant Curator at CCA Berlin, they form the jury for the Pogo Bar Open Call 2026.

Pogo Bar Dates 2026: 

19.03.26
16.04.26
19.11.26
10.12.26

Examples for previous editions of Pogo Bar can be found here.

Applicant requirements:

• You are an artist, duo or collective living and working in Berlin 

• You consider yourselves as (an) emerging artist(s) and have not yet had an institutional solo exhibition or your own stage production at a venue with a capacity of over 200 audience members, nor your own concerts at a venue with more than 200 attendees.

• You work with time-based media, e.g. film, performance, dance, sound, reading, spoken word, etc.

• You are not or no longer enrolled at a University or College

• You have a reference contact from a cultural, academic or artistic background

Supporting documents required for your application:

• Detailed concept for a Pogo Bar event in the KW basement between 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM (max. 1 page)

Possible formats include the presentation of existing artistic works, works in progress, sketches of new works, excerpts from existing works, or concepts for experimental artistic events.

The proposed program, if it's a performance, lecture, reading, or screening, should be 20-40 minutes long. Concerts and interactive formats can be up to 60 minutes.

• Short description of your concept (max. 100 words)

• If available: Work samples / documentation of the work that will be part of the Pogo Bar, such as video stills, photographs, or sound files (max. 2 pages, or 2 sound or video files)

• Spatial concept for the Pogo Bar event, including ideas for the spatial layout, lighting, and schedule/process, taking into account the available technical equipment and furniture list (written and/or drawings possible, max. 1 page)

Images of the available furniture as well as a technical equipment list can be found below. Your concept should be feasible using the technical and spatial elements listed below.

• Portfolio (max. 5 MB)

• CV or bio (max. 1 page / 100 words)

• Reference contact from a cultural, artistic, or academic background (first name, last name, email, phone number)

The application documents must not exceed 7MB and must be uploaded as PDFs via Google Forms. The application documents can be written in German or English. 

Unfortunately, applications submitted by email cannot be considered.
If you have any questions, feel free to send an email by 28.01.26, 12:00 pm at the latest, with the subject line “Pogo Bar Open Call 2026”, to pogobar@kw-berlin.de.

The application deadline is 01.02.26 (end of day).

Existing furniture at Pogo Bar:

• approx. 60 chairs
• 4 benches
• 3 bean bags
• 10 large floor cushions (each 80 x 80 cm)
• 4 stage elements (each 2 x 1 m)
• 3 bar stools

Images of the empty Pogo Bar and the available furniture can be found here.

Technical equipment:

• Basic sound system (speakers, subwoofer, mixer, cables, etc.)
• 6 microphones (2 wireless, 4 wired) + microphone stands
• 2 lavalier microphones 
• Mobile speaker on wheels including microphone
• Pioneer XDJ-XZ
• Compact lighting setup (8 multi-colored LED bars, 2 theater spotlights, DMX board for lighting control, existing exhibition and ceiling lighting)
• Permanently installed projector with a 16:9 screen
• Various screens in different sizes + stand mount

What we offer:

• €700,00 fee for solo artists, €1.000,00 fee for duos and collectives
• Production support (please note that additional technical equipment or instrument rental is only possible upon agreement)
• Concept discussion with the curators
• 1 preparatory meeting for setup and technical run-through with the curatorial team and event production, including a site visit to the Pogo Bar
• 1 event technician on the evening of the event from 5:00 PM, and optionally for a rehearsal during the event week (2–3 hours)

Communication / Press: 

• Event page on kw-berlin.de 
• Social media promotion on Facebook and Instagram (1 post + 1 story) 
• Mention in the Pogo Bar newsletter for the respective KW exhibition season 
• Event listing on external platforms used by KW (Index Berlin, Museumsportal, etc.)

What we cannot provide:

• Rehearsal space
• Additional rehearsal days
• Additional fees for performers, musicians, etc.
• Photography or filming of the event
• Additional site visits
• Individual feedback for projects that are not selected

The selection of projects for Pogo Bar 2026 is expected to take place in early to mid–February 2026.
If you have other upcoming presentations of your work in Berlin, please let us know in your application.

FAQ

What kind of events can I submit?

We welcome all types of submissions for this Open Call, as long as your proposal fits within the parameters outlined here. 

My event is only X minutes long, do I need to fill the whole timeslot from 7PM – 9:30PM?

The timeframe 7PM – 9:30PM represents the overall timeframe of the event, including admission, potential introduction, and any time spent socializing in the space after the program is over.

The proposed program, if it's a performance, lecture, reading, or screening, should be 20-40 minutes long. Concerts can be up to 60 minutes. If your proposal is selected, our curators will work with you in shaping the rest of the evening.

I need one or two additional resources for my event, can I still submit an application?

Events marginally outside of the outlined parameters, i.e. requiring additional resources for facilitation, such as minimal extra technical support or hiring of additional technical equipment, can still be submitted. However, a clear outline of what you might require in addition should be outlined in your proposal. 

I want to bring equipment or resources to KW, is this possible?

If you would like to support the event with additional resources not provided by KW, for example photography of the event or additional specialty equipment, please include these in your proposal under a subheading ‘provided by artist’. However, we encourage proposals to work within the parameters outlined in the Open Call.

Can I submit multiple applications?

We only accept one application per artist, duo or collective.

Can students apply?

No, this is an opportunity for emerging artists not currently enrolled in a University or College. A degree is not a requirement.

I need to change something in my application, can I amend this?

We are unable to change your application once it has been submitted. Please ensure all details are correct and that you have included the right files attached before you submit your application.