Curator(s) – Temautstillingen 2022

Open call for curator(s)

The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (Norske Kunsthåndverkere)’s theme exhibition at the North Norwegian Art Centre (Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter) in June–August 2022.

The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (Norske Kunsthåndverkere) and the North Norwegian Art Centre (Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter) seek a curator or curators for a temporary exhibition on contemporary crafts in the summer of 2022.

The exhibition is due to open on 18 June 2022. The project period will extend from October 2021 to August 2022.

Each year, since 2011, Norske Kunsthåndverkere has partnered with a leading art institution to produce a theme exhibition on contemporary crafts. This year, Norske Kunsthåndverkere partners with Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter for exploring alternative forms of crafts exhibitions. For the first time, an open Call for Curator(s) is released to find an ambitious curator or group/collective of curators.

The theme exhibition aims to explore the distinctive potential of crafts, challenge established norms in the exhibition and dissemination of material-based art, and engage the public regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Application

Proposals must contain:

• A project description with a clear curatorial concept (max 5,000 signs + max 10 images): You are welcome to structure your proposal however you see fit within the length requirement. If in doubt, you can follow a simple outline, such as working title, short summary, curatorial concept, and progress plan. In addition, you can include up to 10 images.
• Curator(s)’s CV, which describes your curatorial background and experience (max two A4 sheets).
• An illustrated curatorial portfolio with up to 3 projects (max three A4 sheet).
• Your application must be sent as a single PDF to post@kunsthandverk.no with the following object: “TU_CFC _LAST NAME”.

Deadline

20 September 2021, 23:59, CEST time (Norwegian time).

Selection process

Applications will be evaluated jointly by Norske Kunsthåndverkere and Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter. The successful applicant will be notified in early October 2021.

Timeframe

October 2021–June 2022: Curatorial preparation

8-17 June 2022: Installation period

17-18 June 2022: Press preview and opening of the exhibition

June-August 2022: Subsequent guided tours, educational activities, accompanying events, promotion to be determined among all parts.

Location

Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter, Torget 20, Svolvær, Norway.

Ca 160 meter squares, download the exhibition plan here.

Covid-19

The uncertainty surrounding the global pandemic means that all parties should agree on a strategy should Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter be closed for the duration of the exhibition.

Background

Norske Kunsthåndverkere

The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (Norske Kunsthåndverkere) works to promote and support professional crafts artists and make contemporary crafts visible nationally and internationally. In 2021, Norske Kunsthåndverkere counts about 980 members and is organized into seven regions. Norske Kunsthåndverkere produces the “Annual Craft Exhibition” and other mediation projects, publishes Kunsthåndverk magazine, administers state grants, and conducts political advocacy work to influence art policies. Norske Kunsthåndverkere receives state funding for mediating crafts to a wide range of audiences and managing grants. Norske Kunsthåndverkere owns three companies: Norwegian Crafts and the galleries Format (Oslo) and KRAFT (Bergen).

Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter

The North Norwegian Art Centre (NNKS) is a regional centre for visual art, comprising the entire region of Northern Norway. While our administration, gallery and artist residency are located in Svolvær, Lofoten, NNKS carries out an extensive range of activities in the region, focusing on contemporary art and crafts. NNKS is owned by the Artist Associations of Northern Norway (NNBK and NKNN) and receives funds from Art Council Norway, the counties of Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark and our host municipality, Vågan.

Temautstillingen

Norske Kunsthåndverkere’s Temautstillingen (Theme Exhibition) is an important part of the organisation’s outreach strategy. Temautstillingen is supported by the Norwegian Cultural Fund. From 2011, Norske Kunsthåndverkere’s Temautstillingen replaced the yearly regional exhibitions (1985–2010). You can find more information on the previous editions of Temautstillingen here.

Download PDF about the open call (with map of the exhibition).

Caption: Digging blue clay in Lade, Trondheim, «Hunger», Temautstillingen 2018, Trøndelag Centre for Contemporary Art. Photo: Siri Skjerve.