Contemporary Art Exchange is a curatorial and arts education practice that produces international projects, exhibitions and events that promote creative professional development opportunities for young and early career artists. Based in Berlin, Contemporary Art Exchange works across geographic borders, often in collaboration with artists, educators, other curators, and with local communities and m
inority groups, such as young people and people with disabilities. CAE approaches the concept of “exchange” – of thoughts, ideas, experiences or skills, particularly within the context of international travel and mobility – both thematically and practically. Curated projects, exhibitions, workshops and events, explore themes of cultural identity, nationalism, immigration, globalisation, labour and work, and the history of exhibition making, particularly biennales. CAE doesn’t receive any continuous financial support so all projects are either self-financed or fundraised for. Contemporary Art Exchange is guided by the belief that everyone should and can have access to the arts, thus education and learning form a large part of curatorial activities. CAE is interested in both educating people about contemporary art and in the education of and for contemporary arts practitioners. By integrating education as a part of its activities, rather than as a by-product, CAE hopes that our projects offer several “ways in” to understanding and appreciating contemporary art. Contemporary Art Exchange is led by myself, Australian born and Berlin based freelance curator and arts educator Kate Brehme (nee Martin), with assistance from clinical psychology student David Brehme.
