MQ 2026 Annual Program: The MQ Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary

In doing so, the MQ is celebrating not only an anniversary, but also the long, open narrative of a community of people who view the MQ itself as a living work of art. A place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together, creating an open community that has been using, enlivening, and inhabiting this space for a quarter of a century. A place that, from the very beginning, has been regarded as the “Viennese living room,” an “oasis in the city,” and a “third place.”

“The theme for our anniversary year in 2026 is ‘Generation MQ.’ With this, we celebrate the people who have shaped or continue to shape the MQ in unique ways, as well as everyone who finds inspiration here. A special highlight is the major anniversary exhibition at MQ Freiraum on the history of the MQ. It traces the venue’s transformation into the world’s most successful cultural complex.”

For our anniversary year in 2026, we have established additional program priorities that explore the MQ’s rich and varied history and many facets, while placing the people of the MQ at the center of our efforts.

Highlights to Celebrate MQ's 25th Anniversary

Vision and Resistance – How the MuseumsQuartier Transformed the City of Vienna June 30, 2026 – January 25, 2027 | MQ Freiraum
Opening: Mon, June 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m.

Twenty-five years after the MQ opened, the exhibition looks back on the turbulent history of one of the world’s largest cultural complexes. Through drawings, plans, models, and works of art, the exhibition traces a broad arc from the Baroque court stables to the “Messepalast” and on to the planning and construction of the MQ.

Elfie Semotan is photographing the 25th-anniversary campaign

For the anniversary campaign, legendary photographer Elfie Semotan is portraying 25 individuals who have helped shape and influence the MQ over the past decades. The portraits are accompanied by short interviews, statements, and texts in which they share their perspectives on the MQ. The portraits will be presented in the spring of 2026.

eSeL x MQ Moments
, starting in May 2026

The “eSeL x MQ Moments” project delves into the vibrant history of the MQ and uncovers legends, memories, and “rumors” of legendary events and activities that took place there. The result is a journey through shared memories and experiences that invites visitors to rediscover and share their own MQ Moments.

We're celebrating with our visitors Thu
, July 2, 2026 | MQ Main Courtyard

Let’s celebrate 25 years of MQ together! MQ and numerous MQ institutions are joining forces to present a comprehensive program of performances, concerts, guided tours, and artistic interventions that spans the entire grounds.

Museums Shape the Future – Symposium
Tue, Sept. 29, 2026 | MQ Libelle

Together with the MQ Museums, the MuseumsQuartier is organizing a symposium that will focus on key questions regarding the future of museum operations. With the participation of international and national experts as well as colleagues from the MQ Museums, topics such as the role of art and science, visions for the future of museums, and the commitment to actively shaping social participation will be discussed.

MQ Artist-in-Residence Program

Since its inception, up to 60 international artists from various disciplines have been invited each year to participate in a residency in Vienna, where they live and work in one of the eight artist studios on the MQ grounds.

The thematic focuses for 2026 range from “Art & Ecology” to the “Focus International Studios” (Moldova and South Africa).

Partners: tranzit.org/ERSTE Foundation Studio, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sports (BMWKMS)

2026 Program Preview

Exhibitions at MQ Freiraum

The Material Show
February 26, 2026 – May 31, 2026 | MQ Freiraum

Milica Živković – The Roots of Small Fires
February 26, 2026 – May 31, 2026 | MQ Freiraum

Vision and Resistance – How the MuseumsQuartier Transformed
the City of Vienna June 30, 2026 – January 25, 2027 | MQ Freiraum

MQ Public Art

eSeL x MQ Moments
Starting in May 2026 | MQ Höfe

Aldo
Giannotti June 30, 2026 – August 26, 2026 | MQ Art Box

Eva Seiler
March 26, 2026 – June 17, 2026 | MQ Art Box

Šejla Kamerić – AWAKE
April 27, 2026 | Open-air event at mumok in the MQ Main Courtyard

Events

Children's Culture Trail
2026 May 30, 2026 | MQ Main Courtyard

MQ Summer
Stage, starting in May 2026 | MQ Main Courtyard

We're celebrating with our visitors Thu
, July 2, 2026 | MQ Main Courtyard

Museums Shape the Future – Symposium
Tue, Sept. 29, 2026 | MQ Libelle

Press Photos

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