Independent Curators International (ICI) supports the work of curators to help create stronger art communities through experimentation, collaboration, and international engagement. As part of ICI’s commitment to curatorial research and the development of new knowledge and practices, ICI has conceived an annual program of Curatorial Research Fellowships.
ICI’s Curatorial Research Fellowships focus on promoting experimentation, collaboration, and international engagement in the field. They support early-to-mid-career curators to advance their practice and develop new knowledge in contemporary art, through research, travel, and the development of professional networks.
Conceived to foster independent research, ICI’s Curatorial Research Fellowships offer a framework tailored to each curator’s field of critical inquiry. The fellows will receive financial support, mentorship specific to their research interests, and whenever possible, the opportunity to travel. They will have access to ICI’s international networks of collaborators and programs to create opportunities for continued learning.
In 2022, ICI will accept Fellows as a part of four Fellowship opportunities:
1. Curatorial Research Fellowships for BIPOC curators based in the U.S., under the Marian Goodman Gallery Initiative in honor of the late Okwui Enwezor
2. Curatorial Research Fellowships for curators of African descent based anywhere in the world, under the Marian Goodman Gallery Initiative in honor of the late Okwui Enwezor
3. Indigenous Curatorial Research Fellowship for Indigenous curators based in the U.S.
4. Mississippi River Basin Curatorial Research Fellowships for curators focusing on curatorial and artistic practices and alternative histories of the region defined by the Mississippi River
Applications are now open, with a deadline of Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Applicants may apply to multiple Fellowships, if eligible. See below for details and application guidelines.
1. CURATORIAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR BIPOC CURATORS BASED IN THE U.S., UNDER THE MARIAN GOODMAN GALLERY INITIATIVE IN HONOR OF THE LATE OKWUI ENWEZOR
APPLY BY APRIL 5, 2022
About the Fellowship: This Curatorial Research Fellowship is specifically intended to support the development of the curatorial practice of BIPOC curators based in the US, and encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellowship duration is eight months, between June and December 2022. Fellows may be based anywhere in the U.S. and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually. Each fellow will receive an award of $10,000.
Eligibility: As part of the Marian Goodman Gallery Initiative in honor of the late Okwui Enwezor, these Fellowships are available exclusively to BIPOC curators based in the U.S. Early-to-mid-career curators (5+ years of experience working with contemporary artists), independent or with institutional affiliations, may apply. See full application guidelines below.
For more information about the Marian Goodman Gallery Initiative, please click here.
2. CURATORIAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR CURATORS OF AFRICAN DESCENT BASED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, UNDER THE MARIAN GOODMAN GALLERY INITIATIVE IN HONOR OF THE LATE OKWUI ENWEZOR
APPLY BY APRIL 5, 2022
About the Fellowship: This Curatorial Research Fellowship is specifically intended to support curators of African descent in developing their curatorial practice and will encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellowship duration is eight months, between June and December 2022. Fellows may be based anywhere in the U.S. and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually. Each fellow will receive an award of $10,000.
Eligibility: As part of the Marian Goodman Gallery Initiative in honor of the late Okwui Enwezor, these Fellowships are available exclusively to curators of African descent based anywhere in the world. Early-to-mid-career curators (5+ years of experience working with contemporary artists), independent or with institutional affiliations, may apply. See full application guidelines below.
3. INDIGENOUS CURATORIAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
APPLY BY APRIL 5, 2022
About the Fellowship: This Curatorial Research Fellowship is specifically intended to support the development of the curatorial practice of Indigenous curators based in the US, and encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellowship duration is eight months, between June and December 2022. Fellows may be based anywhere and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually. The fellow will receive an award of $10,000.
Eligibility: This Fellowship is available exclusively to Indigenous curators based in the U.S. Early-to-mid-career curators (5+ years of experience working with contemporary artists), independent or with institutional affiliations, may apply. See full application guidelines below.
4. MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN CURATORIAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
APPLY BY APRIL 5, 2022
About the Fellowship: The Mississippi River Basin Curatorial Research Fellowships support curators who focus on the region defined by the Mississippi River, curatorial and artistic practices within it, and/or alternative histories of the region. The Fellowships provide support in developing curatorial practice and will encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellowship duration is eight months, between June and December 2022. Fellows may be based anywhere and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually. Each fellow will receive an award of $7,000.
Eligibility: These Fellowships are available to curators focusing on practices and alternative histories in the region defined by the Mississippi River. Early-to-mid-career curators (5+ years of experience working with contemporary artists), independent or with institutional affiliations, may apply. See full application guidelines below.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR ALL FELLOWSHIPS
You may apply to one or multiple Fellowships, pending your eligibility, through our application portal. You will be asked to select which Fellowships you would like to be considered for.
Required materials for all Fellowships:
– One-sentence proposal summary (40 words max)
– Description of proposed curatorial research. Should include goals and proposed process, including but not limited to any travel plans, resources you would like to access, and/or mentorship you’re seeking (500 words max)
– Description of the relevance of the project to the field (200 words max)
– Description of how the Fellowship will impact the applicant’s practice (200 words max)
– Bio (250 words max)
Applications may be submitted in English, French, or Portuguese, but a working knowledge of English is necessary for participation in the Fellowships, which are conducted in English
Applications should be submitted through ICI’s application portal. Emailed applications will not be accepted. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at midnight EDT.
For more information, contact ICI’s Programs Coordinator, Zoe Dobuler, at zoe@curatorsintl.org.
