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Open Call for Exhibitions
The Round Tower announces an annual Open Call for exhibitions in the Library Hall, inviting artists, designers, architects, communicators, and researchers to apply for an exhibition period.
The Round Tower was built to elevate human insight and perspective. The tower is a unique historical and architectural landmark, one of Denmark’s most visited cultural institutions, and home to the oldest observatory building in Europe.
In the Library Hall, located halfway up the tower above the Trinitatis Church, exhibitions, concerts, and events are held. The cultural program of the Library Hall is meant to convey the narrative of the entire building complex’s world of history, church, and astronomy, brought to life through contemporary and relevant content in art, science, adventure, and architecture.
Since 1987, when the Library Hall opened in its current form, the Round Tower has been able to present a varied program consisting of changing exhibitions and cultural events.
The Library Hall has hosted more than 270 exhibitions.
The Round Tower Calls for Exhibitions for 2026
The Round Tower aims to present a strong and diverse program of high-quality special exhibitions and is currently looking for exhibitions for 2026.
With this Open Call, the Round Tower invites artists, designers, architects, communicators, and researchers within history, natural sciences, and humanities, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations, among others, to apply for an exhibition period in the Library Hall in 2026. The work or interest of the exhibitors should be aligned with the context of the building complex and the theme of the year.
Theme for Exhibitions in 2026
In 2026, the Round Tower aims for the exhibitions to contribute to the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the world-renowned professor of astronomy, Ole Rømer, and his discovery that light has a finite speed. He himself referred to it as “the delay of light.” In the oldest scientific journal, Journal des Sçavans, one could read in 1676 how Rømer’s observations of Jupiter’s moon led to the determination of a finite speed of light.
Ole Rømer is one of the most famous astronomers who led the Round Tower’s astronomical observatory. At the same time, he also served as a churchwarden for Trinitatis Church and as the chief librarian for the Royal University Library, which was then housed in the Library Hall. Additionally, he was responsible for the planet machine in the Spiral Ramp. Ole Rømer is the only person to have held a significant role in all three functions of the Trinitatis complex simultaneously.
OPEN CALL 2026: LIGHT
The year 2026 marks the 350th anniversary of Ole Rømer’s groundbreaking discovery of the speed of light, and the theme for the exhibitions will therefore be “LIGHT” in all its facets—literal or metaphorical.
“LIGHT” will be the overarching theme that the exhibition series must reflect. It is a requirement that all exhibitions created for the Library Hall in 2026 address or interpret this theme.
Exhibitions may be based on scientific, historical, or astronomical aspects, but literary, philosophical, and religious approaches are also welcome. The theme can also be related to contemporary and future issues and research.
Apply via the form below.
Deadline for applications for an exhibition period in 2026: November 24st 11:59 PM.
Application Process
All applications for exhibitions at the Round Tower are reviewed by the management and board of the Round Tower.
Applications are only accepted via the form below until November 24, 2024. The Round Tower does not accept physical applications.
Applicants will receive an automatic receipt by email—remember to check your spam filter if it doesn’t appear in your inbox.
Exhibitions under consideration will be notified directly in mid-December 2024 and invited to a follow-up interview in week 3, after which the final exhibitions will be selected.
If you are not invited for an interview, your application is no longer under consideration. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide individual feedback for declined applications.
Please review the Round Tower’s complete Terms and Conditions for Exhibitions before applying. You can also find more information in the dropdown menu below.
Before submitting your application, the Round Tower staff can answer any practical questions:
Head of Program
Ditte Marie Lund, dml@rundetaarn.dk
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All exhibitions must relate to this year’s theme – “LIGHT”– in commemoration of the 350th anniversary of Ole Rømer’s groundbreaking discovery of the speed of light.
The Round Tower only accepts exhibition applications for the Library Hall—not for the Spiral Ramp or the tower’s facade.
The selected exhibitions must be approved by the management and board of the Round Tower.
Each exhibition period in 2026 has a maximum duration of 10 weeks. Additionally, four days are allocated for setup and one day for takedown.
Visitors to the Round Tower must have access to the exhibitions, and no separate admission fee may be charged.
Download the full Terms and Conditions for Exhibitions here.
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With the Library Hall, the Round Tower offers a bright, 900 sqm exhibition space with a high visitor turnout and many possibilities.
The selected exhibitions will be awarded a total exhibition fee of 50.000 DKK and a contribution of 25.000 DKK to be used for materials and production of the exhibition.
The Round Tower provides support with a setup team on all installation days, as well as consultation with the tower’s Head of Program and Exhibition Technician during the development of the exhibition.
The Round Tower organizes and covers the costs of the opening reception and provides service and staff for the event.
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Exhibitions are set up in the central part of the Library Hall. The front section of the hall is designated as a shop area and reception, while the rear part of the space is kept clear for 150 seats for audiences during concerts and cultural events.
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The exhibition space is permanently secured with an alarm outside of opening hours and the artworks are covered by the Round Tower’s insurance.
It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to ensure that works are securely fixed or positioned so that they do not pose a safety risk to the visitors. This must be approved by The Round Tower.
The Round Tower’s liability insurance only covers employees of the Round Tower.The Library Hall is approved for a maximum of 150 people by the Fire Authorities. The Fire Authorities’ requirements for the exhibition must be followed and the exhibition can be closed by the Fire Inspector if the rules are not complied with. The Round Tower requires to see an installation plan with material description no later than one month before opening.
The Round Tower has an electric trolley for moving up artworks and materials, but there may be restrictions on the maximum weight and size of the works. Movers are hired at the exhibitor’s expense for special freight tasks.
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The Round Tower handles marketing, PR, and communication for the exhibition. Exhibitions and activities are marketed to the Round Tower’s visitors according to a fixed design template. The Round Tower prepares and covers the cost of a graphics package, which includes promotional materials such as flyers and posters in the tower’s public areas. The materials are sent to the exhibitor for prior approval.
The Round Tower also collaborates with the exhibitor to create an introductory text for the exhibition. Any grant support can be mentioned in this introductory text, on the website, and in press releases, but not on printed materials.
Costs for special graphics and displays within the exhibition itself are to be covered by the exhibitor.
All communication is coordinated with
Head of Communications
Rosa Lembcke, rl@rundetaarn.dk -
The Round Tower requires that exhibitors include information in both Danish and English, ensuring that there is at a minimum an introductory exhibition text, labels for the works, and a price list in case of sales of the artworks.
The Round Tower curates an event program for each exhibition – talks, concerts, performances or family activities.
The exhibitor must therefore be prepared to collaborate with the Round Tower to create a program for the exhibition.
Due to special events with separate admission tickets, such as concerts and lectures, it may occur that the exhibition needs to close earlier or open later to the general public. It is required that 80 chairs are permanently set up and that the stage area is available during the exhibition period. There must be space to increase the number of chairs to 150.
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The sale of art and merchandise is possible by arrangement with the Round Tower and in accordance with the tower’s guidelines.
Apply here