Organisation: Upė Foundation and Camden Art Centre
Location: London, United Kingdom
Role: Curatorial Fellow / Assistant Curator
Salary: £30,960 per year
Contract: Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of a further 6-month extension
Eligibility: Baltic early-career curators
Application Deadline: 13 July 2026, 12:00 noon UK time
Interviews: 6 August 2026
Start Date: Autumn 2026
About the Fellowship
Upė Foundation is launching the Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship at Camden Art Centre, as part of its Fall 2026 Curatorial Fellowship Programme. The opportunity invites Baltic early-career curators to apply for a full-time curatorial role at an institution internationally acclaimed for its rigorous exhibitions, residencies, events and learning programmes, championing artistic experimentation.
The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship at Camden Art Centre is a full-time, 12-month position for a Baltic early-career curator, due to start in Autumn 2026, with the possibility of a further 6-month extension, 18 months in total, upon review and mutual decision. Relocation to London, United Kingdom, is required.
About Camden Art Centre
Since 1965, Camden Art Centre has been a place for art and the people that make it. Its world-renowned exhibitions programme supports artists at every stage of their careers, enabling them to make and show work that is relevant for today: brave, challenging, engaging and vital. Originally built in 1890 as a public library, the building now combines historic architecture with open, modern spaces with free entry for all. Camden Art Centre has always led the way in supporting artists and audiences to create and engage with the most vital and inspiring contemporary art and culture today.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Upė Foundation on this incredible opportunity for curatorial exchange and dialogue. This kind of support is invaluable, both for early career practitioners and for institutions. I’m very excited to welcome a new fellow here to Camden Art Centre, and to begin that process of shared learning and research.” — Martin Clark, Director of Camden Art Centre
About the Role
Embedded within Camden Art Centre’s Exhibitions Department, the Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellow will work as Assistant Curator, supporting the development, coordination and delivery of Camden Art Centre’s exhibitions programme and related projects and events.
The Fellow will contribute to a fast-paced programme of international and UK contemporary art, working closely with artists, curators, galleries, lenders, partner organisations and Camden Art Centre’s wider Programme Team. The role offers practical experience across exhibition-making, including research, production, interpretation, publications, public programmes, loans, installation and exhibition documentation.
Responsibilities
The Fellow will be responsible for:
- Supporting the Exhibitions Curator and Director in the delivery of exhibitions, projects and events, both on and off-site;
- Assisting with exhibition research, planning, production, interpretation and public-facing materials;
- Liaising with artists, galleries, lenders, partner organisations, writers, designers and other collaborators;
- Supporting loans, shipping, registrar processes, contracts, publications and exhibition documentation;
- Contributing ideas to exhibitions, talks, events, residencies and wider programme discussions;
- Sharing research connected to Baltic and broader Central Eastern European artistic contexts through internal presentations and curatorial discussion.
The Fellow will receive structured professional development within Camden Art Centre’s Exhibitions team. The Fellowship provides the conditions for curators to develop their individual practice while embedded in institutional life, supported by mentorship, and encouraged to open new creative dialogues between London and the Baltic region.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should have:
- A demonstrated connection to, or sustained engagement with, the Baltic region, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, or their diasporas. This may include lived experience, heritage, working knowledge of a Baltic language, relevant research, or curatorial work with Baltic artists, institutions or contexts;
- Early-career curatorial experience demonstrating the ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a fast-paced institutional context. This may include freelance, self-organised, project-based or institutional experience;
- A higher education qualification, BA, MA or equivalent, in curating, art history, visual culture, or related disciplines.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Desirable skills and experience include:
- Working knowledge of Lithuanian, Latvian or Estonian;
- Fluency in a second language;
- Experience using Articheck software;
- Experience using CRM systems, particularly Salesforce.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants must hold the right to work in the UK, either by:
- Being under the age of 26 and eligible for the UK’s “new entrant” Skilled Worker visa route;
- Being eligible for the Creative Worker visa route;
- Already holding the right to work in the UK, for example as a British citizen, settled or pre-settled status holder, or existing visa holder.
What the Fellowship Offers
The Fellowship offers:
- A full-time Assistant Curator role at Camden Art Centre;
- A salary of £30,960 per year;
- A 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of a further 6-month extension, 18 months in total, subject to formal review and mutual agreement;
- Structured professional development within Camden Art Centre’s Exhibitions team;
- Experience contributing to exhibitions, commissions, publications, residencies and events;
- Opportunities to contribute Baltic and broader Central Eastern European research perspectives to Camden Art Centre’s curatorial discussions;
- Opportunities to build professional networks in London and internationally;
- A dynamic working environment within a leading contemporary art institution.
How to Apply
Applicants should review the job pack and complete the application form and monitoring form for the role.
Camden Art Centre and Upė Foundation place great value on original, individual thinking and writing. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their materials in their own words and to avoid generic or artificially generated responses. Applications that are authentically the candidate’s own will be prioritised in the selection process.
Application deadline: 12:00 noon UK time, Monday 13 July 2026
Interviews: 6 August 2026
Final decision: Mid-August 2026
Start date: Autumn 2026
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed jointly by Upė Foundation and Camden Art Centre. Following an initial assessment, a shortlist of candidates will be invited to a first-round online interview with representatives from both organisations. A smaller group of finalists will be invited to a second interview.
The selection panel will include members of Upė Foundation and Camden Art Centre. Decisions are made by consensus, with agreement required from the full panel at each stage.
