Funded Curatorial Intensive Course

Hasselblad Foundation Curatorial Intensive in Photography – São Paulo 2026

Application deadline: 31 August 2026, 23:59 CEST

HDK-Valand and the Hasselblad Foundation invite applications for the first edition of the Curatorial Intensive in Photography, taking place in São Paulo, Brazil, in December 2026.

The intensive is based on the idea that curatorial work with photography is not only a matter of producing exhibitions, but also of asking how images circulate, gather meaning and meet different publics. Participants are invited to bring a curatorial interest, concern or direction that they want to develop through collective work, site visits, seminars and conversations.

The intensive offers a temporary learning environment in which photographic practices can be discussed in relation to place, publicness, institutions and responsibility. The emphasis is on development, dialogue and the possibility that ideas may shift through encounter.

The intensive covers travel, accommodation and participation costs for selected participants.

Who can apply?

The intensive is open to applicants based in Sweden who are in an early stage of developing a curatorial practice or a curatorial interest in photography.

You may be currently enrolled in higher education, recently graduated, working independently, or active within an institution or organisation. You do not need to have a formal background in curating, photography or the arts. We welcome applicants from a wide range of fields, including but not limited to art, design, medicine, social sciences, education and the humanities.

You might already be working as a curator, artist, educator, researcher, producer or cultural practitioner, or you might be interested in developing further into curatorial work.

The intensive is intended for people who have an active interest in photography and who want to explore how images circulate, gather meaning and meet different publics. You do not need to have a finished exhibition proposal, but you should be able to describe an interest, concern or direction that you would like to develop during the programme. English language proficiency is required.

To learn more about the details about the open call, including the application requirements, please visit the link below.

Image credits: Via Hasselblad Foundation website