Emerging Curator Program 2024

Following a successful inaugural year in 2023, the Emerging Curator Program returns to provide an early-practice curator the opportunity to produce a funded exhibition and/or series of public events at Curl Curl Creative Space with support from Council’s art specialists and curators.

The program is designed for emerging curators and artists looking to develop their practice, gain knowledge of the arts sector, and grow their professional networks.

The mentorship includes support in:

• concept development and research
• artist liaison and selection
• exhibition design
• exhibition writing/essays
• development of exhibition materials (i.e., wall labels and catalogue/room sheet)
• budget and administration management

The recipient receives:

• $2,000 - Curator’s fee
• $2,350 - Project funding (including artist/speaker fees, project materials, promotion, catering etc)

Guidelines

Read the 2024 program Guidelines online, or download the guidelines (PDF).

Key Dates

• Monday 5 February 2024, 10 am: Applications Open
• Monday 4 March 2024, 3 pm: Applications Close
• April 2024: Applicants notified 
• May – September 2024: Exhibition planning
• Monday 16 – Sunday 29 September 2024: Exhibition and Program/s
• October 2024: Evaluation and acquittal 

2023 Recipient: Jodie Dowd

Noongar basket weaver and curator Jodie Dowd was the inaugural Emerging Curator Program recipient in 2023.  As part of the program, Jodie received mentoring from the MAG&M curatorial team and delivered an exhibition at Curl Curl Creative Space in July 2023, Honouring our Knowledge Keepers.

Jodie’s exhibition was a direct response to the 2023 NAIDOC theme, For Our Elders. Featuring multidisciplinary works by seven First Nations artists, the exhibition honoured Elders, Ancestors, animal kin, and Gai-mariagal Country through song, poetry, paintings, photographs, and cultural practices such as weaving and bush dyeing.
 

Further Opportunities

For more information about other creative opportunities with Northern Beaches Council, sign up to our monthly creative newsletter, or contact us about booking one of our creative spaces.