Call for Expressions of Interest: Mentoring Curators
Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design
Deadline for Submission: May 2, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
About Future Proofing a World of Care Exhibition Series and the Emerging Curator Program
“Futureproofing” involves collaborative efforts to envision and build new futures. Through Future proofing a World of Care Emerging Curators will engage Cape Breton’s craft community to produce works that address concerns about the unknown future and envision a safer, more supportive environment.
The Emerging Curators Program provides the Emerging Curators with practical, hands-on experience at a leading community cultural organization. The goal of this program is to build curatorial skills capacity among equity-seeking communities in Unama’ki Cape Breton Island while supporting artistic development for local artists.
Exhibitions Timeline
Exhibition 1 (Food, Craft & Community)
Install week of: October 27, 2025
Open to Public: November 10, 2025, to January 9, 2026
Strike (take-down): January 12, 2026
Exhibition 2 (TBD)
Install week of: July 28, 2026
Open to Public: August 4, 2026, to September 18, 2026
Strike (take-down): September 21, 2026
Exhibition 3 (TBD)
Install week of: September 28, 2026
Open to Public: October 5, 2026, to December 31, 2026
Strike (take-down): January 4, 2027
In your application, please identify which exhibition(s) time and/or theme(s) you are interested in.
Mentoring Curator Role Overview:
The Mentoring Curator is committed to fostering an environment of learning and growth, ensuring that the next generation of curators can leave a meaningful impact on the artistic landscape of Unama’ki Cape Breton.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide mentorship and support to emerging curator(s) and local craft artists, fostering skill development and professional growth to help them refine their skills and expand their artistic vision.
- Develop and conduct training sessions or workshops to enhance the Emerging Curator’s understanding of curatorial practices and exhibition management, in the conceiving, developing, and organizing an exhibition that represents the chosen theme based on their original project proposal.
- Facilitate the growth and guide the Emerging Curator in organizing and managing exhibitions, ensuring they understand the various stages and components of curatorial projects
- Collaborate with Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design’s team to ensure programming meetings organizational goals while collaborating with the mentee to create a plan for engaging internal and external stakeholders in the exhibition concept, including community members, artists, Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design staff, and the exhibition committee.
- Provide constructive feedback on their work and assess their progress, helping them identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes.
- Ensure the Emerging Curator has access to relevant resources, including literature, tools, and professional networks, to assist in their learning and development.
- Guide the development of interactive and educational components to enhance visitor experience and learning.
- Encourage the Emerging Curator to take initiative and explore independent projects, fostering self-confidence and a sense of ownership. Specifically assist the Emerging with:
- Conducting research and articulating the project
- Writing exhibition thematic texts, object labels, and other interpretive materials, such as catalogues, pamphlets, and vinyl texts
- Ensure the project maintains a focus on craft objects, material culture specific to Cape Breton Island, and community narratives.
- Achieve the goals of Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, the project, and the community it serves
- Assist the Emerging in identifying objects for the checklist that align with the concept while considering the mission, scale, and resources of the project.
- Work with the Emerging and Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design to secure craft objects for the exhibition.
- Assist the Emerging Curator to establish, communicate, and maintain deadlines for writing, editing, design, and review related to the project.
- Assist in planning evaluation measures for the exhibition’s outcomes and related programming.
- Guide the Emerging Curator in presenting a final report on both the process and the final exhibition.
What We’re Looking For:
- Experience in curating craft-based exhibitions, with a portfolio showcasing your curatorial approach and impact.
- A deep understanding of the craft sector, including historical and contemporary practices.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including artists, community members, and organizational staff.
- A creative and strategic mindset, able to envision and implement engaging and thought-provoking exhibitions.
- Proven track record of working effectively in non-urban settings and engaging with diverse community stakeholders.
- Strong mentorship and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide both a creative team and community artists.
- Visionary and adaptable approach to curatorship that aligns with the unique cultural identity of rural areas.
Application Process:
- A cover letter detailing your experience in craft-based curatorial projects and your interest in mentoring within this context (maximum one page).
- A CV highlighting your relevant experience and achievements.
- A portfolio of past curated exhibitions, particularly those involving craft and rural communities.
- A brief proposal outlining your approach to mentoring emerging curators and developing exhibitions for Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (maximum of three pages).
Submission Instructions:
Please email your application by May 2, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. to Lori Burke at lori@capebretoncraft.com, with “Mentoring Curator EOI” in the subject line.
In your application, please identify which exhibition(s) time and/or theme(s) you are interested in.
- Cover Letter and Resume
- Audio file or link (no longer than 90 seconds in length)
- Video file or link (no longer than 90 seconds in length)
- By mail: Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, P.O. Box 1686, Sydney, NS B1P 6T7
- In person, Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, 322 Charlotte Street, Sydney, NS
All applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt, if you have not received one, please email lori@capebretoncraft.com. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Join us in shaping the artistic landscape of our community and leave a lasting impact on emerging art practices in Unama’ki Cape Breton by bringing craft to life through innovative exhibitions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design encourages applications from IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIAP+ and Official Language Minority individuals. The Centre values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Diversity at the Centre means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. The Centre is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all its work. We work proactively to be fair and equitable in practice and to build diversity into our teams, creative communities, programs, and services.
Who We Are
We are in Unama’ki, the land of fog, the unceded and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq. At the Centre we strive to honour and uphold the Treaties of Peace and Friendship made with the Mi’kmaq by celebrating the ongoing tradition of beautiful and creative craftsmanship of the First Peoples of this land.
