AHCAN Early Career Curator Program

Applications closed 15 March 2022

In partnership with Floating Goose Studios Inc. and supported by the City of Adelaide, AHCAN (Art History and Curatorship Alumni Network) invites early career curators to submit an exhibition proposal for the forthcoming SALA Festival (2022). 

The aim of the Early Career Curator Program is to provide an AHCAN member in the early stages of their career with the opportunity to develop an exhibition that will extend their experience and professional networks. The successful applicant will be provided with a budget (see below), valuable mentoring and support from the AHCAN executive committee.

Floating Goose Studios is a not-for-profit artist run studio and gallery space located in the Adelaide CBD. Floating Goose have partnered with AHCAN to provide this opportunity to foster connections and support SA artists.

AHCAN supports SALA Festival by enabling the creation and exhibition of new work by South Australian artists and facilitating connections within the local arts ecology. This program is financially supported by the City of Adelaide.

Applications are open to graduates and past students of the Art History and Curatorship program at the University of Adelaide who are members of AHCAN. Early Career Curators can be within their first 10 years of practice.

The successful curator will receive the following remuneration:

• $1500 Curator Fee
• $2250 Exhibition Budget
• The AHCAN Committee will provide:
• $700 Gallery Fee (paid directly to Floating Goose Studios)
• SALA registration fee
• Mentoring from AHCAN committee members – this includes support in curatorial, grant writing, arts writing, gallery administration, industry insights and networking.

Floating Goose Gallery will provide:

• Opening night event including staff and drinks provided by Floating Goose
• Induction to familiarise the Curator with the gallery space

Selection criteria:

• Proposals should demonstrate a focus on contemporary visual arts practice in South Australia
• Include confirmation from the artists proposed in the application
• Innovative use of the gallery space
• Capacity for the Curator to complete the project
• Expected impact on the Curator’s career

Early Career Curator expectations:

• Submit registration for SALA Festival prior to 11th May 2022
• Prepare exhibition materials (blurb, floorsheet, essay if applicable, marketing materials)
• Coordination collection/delivery of artwork to gallery
• Installation of the exhibition
• The Curator will arrange/meet with the Floating Goose committee and organise a gallery sitting roster involving the artists and curator sit the Floating Goose gallery (Number of days to be negotiated with Committee. Please note that the Curator is NOT expected to sit the gallery for the entire duration of the exhibition.
• Report due at the conclusion of the exhibition (maximum one page – Report Template provided).

*Please note that the AHCAN Committee will support the Curator throughout the development and delivery of the exhibition, as needed.

How to apply:

In ONE document in PDF format and attached images, applicants must include:

• Cover sheet including project title; your name and contact details; names of artist/s involved.
• Project details including exhibition rationale, timeline and installation description. Maximum two pages.
• Statement detailing how this opportunity will impact the Curator’s career (300 words maximum)
• Support Materials including an image list with full details of work; artist’s confirmation; one page curator CV, one page CV per artist; maximum three links to sound or audiovisual work and up to 10 images.

Please ensure that digital images are no larger than 1MB, and are titled:
lastname_firstname_artwork name_year
curator name_exhibition name_gallery_year
Eg. Pablo_Picasso_Demoiselles_2018.jpeg
Rings_Betty_A Vital Idea_Art Gallery of SA_2015.jpg
Floating Goose Studios gallery is located at 271 Morphett Street, Adelaide and floorplans for the space can be accessed via www.floatinggoose.com.au.

Applications and enquiries should be emailed to Gabi Lane at (gabrielle_lane@yahoo.com.au) with the subject line ‘AHCAN Curator Callout’ and are due by 5.00 pm 15 March 2022

Submitting a proposal is not a guarantee of acceptance. Incomplete applications or proposals that do not adequately address the selection criteria will not be eligible.

Please visit the Art History & Curatorship Alumni Network Facebook page for more information 
https://www.facebook.com/AHCANetwork

Past recipients