2026 Suzanne Fiol Curatorial Fellowship Open Call
ISSUE Project Room is pleased to announce the 2026 Suzanne Fiol Curatorial Fellowship program, which supports an emerging, New York-based curator in the organization and presentation of challenging and innovative projects during the 2026 season.
About ISSUE Project Room
Since its inception in 2003 under the guiding vision of Suzanne Fiol (1960-2009), ISSUE’s programming has demonstrated a commitment to expanding the boundaries of artistic practice. Suzanne was an extraordinary spirit, a force of nature and a prominent figure in the visual and performing arts worlds as both an artist and curator.
ISSUE is proud to honor Suzanne and her vision by sharing an opportunity that supports ongoing performance and curatorial work that advances artistic discourse. Now entering its tenth year, the Suzanne Fiol Curatorial Fellowship provides a platform and support structure for the development and presentation of a series of events across the course of a year.
About the Suzanne Fiol Curatorial Fellowship
The Fellowship supports an emerging NYC-based curator who demonstrates an ability to utilize the opportunity to realize ambitious new projects that will significantly transform their own practice and move their work in new directions. The Curatorial Fellow is provided a $3,000 stipend in addition to financial, marketing, and technical support for programs, as well as mentorship for the incubation and execution of new projects.
The 2025 Curatorial Fellow, Kenneth Jiménez, will be presenting the second Fellowship program at ISSUE on Saturday, June 7th. More information is available here and applicants are encouraged to attend.
The Curatorial Fellow will be chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of ISSUE’s Artistic Advisory Council members and current ISSUE curators. Applicants are evaluated upon the inventiveness, artistic strength, feasibility, and relevance of individual projects to ISSUE’s broader mission. Applicants should focus on articulating how the fellowship can assist the development and evolution of the curator’s creative practice.
Curatorial Fellows are provided:
- a $3,000 stipend;
- an ISSUE funded budget of up to $10,000 (net) to produce three public programs;
- free access to rehearsal space at one of ISSUE’s partner venues in advance of each program;
- access to ISSUE’s extensive archive;
- curatorial, marketing, and technical support for the duration of the Fellowship as well as mentorship for the incubation and execution of new projects;
- Professional development opportunities, such as technical training and support with grant writing may be available pending interest; and
- free access to all ISSUE programs over the course of the residency year.
In addition to the guaranteed stipend and ISSUE’s technical inventory, resources the applicant believes are needed should be articulated in the proposal. A full list of available technical resources will be provided along with application materials. The opportunity to allocate additional resources towards specific presentations will be coordinated on a case-by-case basis in dialogue with ISSUE’s staff.
Over the past decade, ISSUE’s programs have predominantly taken place at our 22 Boerum Place theater in Downtown Brooklyn. However, due to renovation of this theater, building access is limited during 2026. ISSUE will work with the curatorial fellow to identify alternate spaces to develop and present work that fulfill the intention of their projects. Applicants should articulate in their project proposals the nature of the space/s they wish to rehearse and, if known, define preferred performance spaces for public presentations. ISSUE will do our best within our resources to find the most appropriate spaces for the work.
The impact of the covid-19 pandemic has been profoundly felt by all, with material impact felt by artists that ISSUE serves. ISSUE is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our artists, audiences, staff, and surrounding community. While we very much hope the impact will be minimized during the term of the Fellowship in 2026, there may be factors outside of ISSUE’s control. As such, we encourage applicants to consider the potential effect of the potential impact of the pandemic on their proposals and in recognizing a flexible approach to the presentation of the proposed programs.
Please include as much information as possible (within the prescribed word limits) to assist ISSUE in determining the applicability of the proposal for the program. If specific information is not available to share as yet, please feel free to leave a question blank.
Please direct any clarifying questions regarding the application to curatorial@issueprojectroom.org.Applicants are asked to refrain from direct outreach to curators, panelists, or ISSUE staff.
An online informational session will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 1pm EST. Details of the session will be provided with the application.
How to Apply
To receive an application, please send an email to curatorial@issueprojectroom.org
Applications are to be received (via email sent to: curatorial@issueprojectroom.org) no later than 12 o’clock noon (EST) on Wednesday, June 17th, 2025. No extensions will be granted beyond this deadline. Notifications will sent by Friday, August 29th, 2025.
