Curatorial Fellowship

The Mary Ann Unger Estate and Geoffrey Biddle Studio are seeking applications for TWO (2) twelve-week curatorial fellowships commencing this Summer

Status: Part Time, remote with possibility of accessing physical archives (dependent on COVID-19 strictures). Two positions. Twelve weeks with a flexible summer 2020 start date
Stipend: $5000 each
Reports to: Allison Kaufman, Director, Mary Ann Unger Estate and Geoffrey Biddle Studio

These two (2), twelve-week remote fellowships support our goal to increase activity around and engagement with the work of the late sculptor Mary Ann Unger, and the work of photographer Geoffrey Biddle. Note that these are two separate fellowships, one for each artist, but that the work may intersect. Once married, their work/archives are both housed at their former home and now estate/studio in the East Village of NYC (which may be accessible depending on factors related to COVID-19), as well as online via Filemaker, LightRoom, and other databases. International applicants are welcome, as these positions can be fully remote. These fellowships provide curatorial, research, and archival experience and an opportunity for the fellows to engage with a working family of artists. The fellows will work independently and in consultation with the estate, artists, and family members to engage with and study the artwork. Deliverables will include an essay or piece for publication and a curated show proposal based on their findings.

The fellows will own the rights to this piece of writing, but will, as a function of their fellowship:

• Ensure that this piece of writing be rooted in the work of Geoffrey Biddle and/or Mary Ann Unger (though it can include other photographers/sculptors);
• Submit the essay/piece for review to our estate/studio reviewer;
• Submit the essay/piece to five (5) publications of their choice;
• Grant rights to this piece to the estate / studio for two years post fellowship, after which the estate/studio may publish on the web;
• Grant perpetual use to publish thereafter (in a catalogue of future work, for example).

In addition, the fellows would be responsible for curating a solo or group show of Biddle and/or Unger’s work. The fellow will, as a function of the fellowship:

• Create a checklist — really a wish list — of elements to be included in the show;
• Write a show statement;
• Submit the show proposal for review to our estate/studio reviewer;
• Retain the rights to the show concept;
• Grant the rights to the estate/studio to publish online the following: That the fellow worked together with the estate/studio; the title of the show; the artists included; and a statement excerpt;
• Pitch their curated show concept to at least one outlet, gallery, or institution.

We are hiring two (2) Curatorial Fellows. The Mary Ann Unger Estate and the Geoffrey Biddle Studio are particularly interested in engaging curators working in the field, and/or students working towards curatorial education (Masters and higher) who have been affected by COVID-19 in the form of furloughs, layoffs or diminished creative or professional opportunities. In addition to sending a CV and any relevant publications, please also include with your application a short statement about how you have been affected by the COVID crisis and what you’re interested in with regards to curatorial work at the Geoffrey Biddle Studio and/or Mary Ann Unger Estate. Preference will be given to candidates who have a demonstrated interest in sculpture and/or photography. **NOTE: You do not need to have experience or interest in both sculpture and photography as these are two separate fellowship positions.**

We are committed to being an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from minority group members, women, and persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas. We are dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals. International applicants are welcome, as these positions are remote.

Please send all materials as a single PDF with the naming protocol “Lastname-Firstname_MAUE-Biddle-Fellowship” to Allison Kaufman, Director, Mary Ann Unger Estate and Geoffrey Biddle Studio: estate@maryannunger.com or studio@geoffreybiddle.com.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted, and we will not reach out to unsuccessful candidates. We will accept applications through 6/15.