Curatorial Fellowship

KADIST is seeking a creative thinker and curator for the inaugural edition of a Curatorial Fellowship at KADIST, based in Paris.

Deadline for applications: September 15, 2025 12pm CEST.
Start date: January 2026.

 

This part-time, 18-month opportunity, starting in 2026, offers professional experience and the chance to join the KADIST Paris team and to work closely with guest curators, and advisors from KADIST’s international network as well as with partner organizations in Paris. Designed for a professional interested in working across disciplines, cultures, and scales, the fellowship encourages experimentation and critical reflection while offering meaningful engagement with KADIST’s team and evolving program.

 

About the Fellowship

The fellow will develop one exhibition and a series of public programs in relation to a given annual theme – all utilizing various KADIST resources, including the international collection. In 2026, the theme will be “Land Work, Land Rights” and the programs throughout the year may respond to this general direction through other entry points – critical geography, extractivism, indigeneity, ecological justice, and more. The Spring 2026 exhibition will be the second chapter of The Plantation Plot, which explores the enduring structures and legacies of the plantation system.

This fellowship complements new strategic developments across KADIST’s global network. Designed as a part-time position, it is ideal for a cultural programmer and curator who thrives in a globally connected, interdisciplinary environment. The ideal candidate brings a solid understanding of the Parisian cultural and social landscape, along with strong connections to one or more non-Western cultures. They are responsive, curious, and committed to connecting artistic conversations and social issues from different parts of the world and to foster interdisciplinary dialogue spanning visual arts, cinema, performance, literature, philosophy, and other cultural forms.

 

About Kadist & the Paris Space

With a collection of over 2,500 works by 1,500 artists from 120 countries and a network of advisors and staff spanning five continents, KADIST is an international, network-driven contemporary art organization. We support a decentralized field of contemporary art by co-producing exhibitions, public programs, online platforms, and other initiatives in collaboration with leading museums, cultural institutions, and independent practitioners across the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We are dedicated to exhibiting the work of contemporary artists and fostering cross-cultural exchanges rooted in the experience of art as a tool for critical inquiry and social advocacy.

KADIST’s venue in Paris is entering a new phase of evolution, connecting KADIST international programs with other venues and partners in the city, and expanding programs of engagements beyond the visual arts, including cinema, literature, philosophy, and other adjacent fields. Each year, programming at KADIST in Paris will include two exhibitions–one curated by the fellow and another by a guest curator invited by KADIST–alongside a series of public programs, all anchored in a shared editorial theme. These themes are designed to open both hyperlocal and global perspectives on urgent cultural and political issues.
By centering the year’s activities around a single theme, KADIST fosters deeper engagement with the topic over time, allowing for sustained inquiry, diverse perspectives, and connections across different disciplines, geographies, and publics.

The fellowship is a unique opportunity to participate in institutional transformation and to imagine with us how art can expand into new forms of public engagement and curatorial experimentation.

 

Fellowship Activities

Part-time (60 %)

1. Programs (1 exhibition + ~6 public programs per year)

• Curate one exhibition that relates to the annual theme “Land Work, Land Rights” and draws primarily from the KADIST collection (planned for fall 2026).
• Contribute curatorial research, feedback and support to the (guest) curator(s) of the other exhibitions presented during the fellowship period.
• Develop and organize public events that deepen the annual theme, ideally in conversation with the exhibitions. This may include talks, screenings, performances, and interdisciplinary formats (other proposals welcome) at our venue. Some events may be developed with partner organizations, guest curators, and advisors to diversify audiences and enhance public events.
• Connecting local communities and voices from cinema, literature, philosophy, activism, and beyond to create a dynamic public exchange and discourse about the political, social, and cultural issues is also welcome.
• Host public events at KADIST’s Paris venue and work closely with the team to ensure smooth coordination and a welcoming experience for artists, guests, and audiences.
• Support artists and guests who contribute to the program, including those in residence at our venue.
• Write and edit texts in French or English when necessary.

2. Paris and KADIST’s Global Network

• Join the KADIST Paris team and contribute actively to its daily activities, programs, and operations – including attending team meetings, working collaboratively, and participating in the shared life of the building with colleagues from KADIST, AFIELD, and Tallard.
• Create a welcoming atmosphere, and make time and space for artistic exchange and dialogue, maintaining strong relationships and smooth collaboration with artists, partners, guest curators, KADIST’s network of advisors, and staff.
• Represent KADIST during public events and with partner organizations.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager on program implementation, such as checklists, budgets, artists’ contracts, and communication, and ensure all programs stay within scope.
• Collaborate with the Communications team on the implementation of communication strategies and support related to the programs and the annual theme.
• Organize and give curatorial tours, to be developed and organized in cooperation with the local team and partners.
• Ensure that KADIST Paris’ programs reflect and expand upon collaborations happening across the globe.
• Support and maintain international connections between the Paris art community and KADIST’s network of artists, curators, and advisors.

 

What We Offer

• A compensation package comprising a total fee of € 30,000 TTC for the 18-month fellowship, disbursed monthly, along with free housing (a private apartment, all charges included) in Paris.
• Full access to KADIST’s venue in Paris, including shared office, exhibition, and event spaces.
• The support of KADIST’s curatorial, operational, and technical teams to help realize the programs.
• An annual budget of up to ~15 000 € for public events and ~25 000 € per exhibition.
• All proposed programming and related budgets are subject to review and approval by the KADIST Steering Committee, in alignment with its mission and resource planning.
• Type of contract: Freelance.
• No Visa/Legal fee coverage.

 

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from critics, writers, curators, artistic directors, researchers, and cultural practitioners who:

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of the Parisian cultural and social landscape.
• Have strong connections to one or more non-Western cultures.
• Have familiarity or interest in the editorial framework “Land Work, Land Rights”.
• Demonstrate the ability to shape cultural conversations and engage audiences through innovative exhibition-making and public programming that address pressing societal issues.
• Have a track record of interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as cinema, literature, dance, philosophy, and activism.
• Bring a good understanding of transnational artistic dialogues and experience working across cultural contexts.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, collaborative and communication skills, with the ability to deliver programming and partnerships on time and with care.
• Thrive in a globally connected, research-driven, and collaborative environment.
• Are committed to fostering cultural exchange and long-term dialogue.
• Are fluent in French and English.

 

How to Apply

To apply for the KADIST Paris Curatorial Fellowship, interested candidates should prepare the following materials in a single PDF (in English, file name starting with their last name in CAPS) and submit them via this link. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit complementary information to their proposal.

• Name & Contact Information
• Exhibition & Public Programs Proposal (max 2 pages). Share your initial ideas and preliminary checklist with KADIST artists for an exhibition and a few public events that engage with the 2026 editorial framework, “Land Work, Land Rights.” A rough budget or note on potential additional funding is welcome, but not required. We understand your proposal may evolve–we’re most interested in your vision and curatorial approach.
• Curatorial Statement (max 1 page): Describe your curatorial practice, research interests, and approach to collaboration.
• Motivation (max 1 page): Why are you applying for this fellowship? What draws you to KADIST and to this opportunity in Paris?
• Up to Five Relevant Past Projects (max 7 pages). You may submit up to five examples of previous work (e.g., exhibitions, programs, publications). These can be formatted documents or simply links with short descriptions, whichever best reflects your practice.
• List of three referees with whom you have cooperated in the last five years (name, position, contact information)
• CV and/or Short Biography (including links to published articles (in English or French))

 

Deadline for applications: September 15, 2025 12pm CEST.
Start date: January 2026.

 

 

Image credits: KADIST Paris / Vinciane Lebrun