Applications Open for Curatorial Fellowship (UK)

The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship at Sapieha Palace offers an early-career UK-based curator a full-time 12-month paid fellowship in Vilnius, Lithuania, beginning in Autumn 2026. The fellowship provides a monthly gross salary of €2,175, relocation support, health insurance, and the opportunity to curate an exhibition while working with the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC), Vilnius.

About the Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship

The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship is designed to support emerging curators by providing professional experience within the Art Programme Department of Sapieha Palace, a branch of the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC), Vilnius.

The fellowship promotes professional exchange between the United Kingdom and Lithuania, enabling early-career curators to develop practical experience in exhibition-making, public programming, artist collaboration, and institutional curating while engaging with the Baltic contemporary art scene.

The fellowship is a full-time position that requires successful applicants to relocate to Vilnius, Lithuania.

Fellowship Duration

• Position Type: Full-time
• Initial Duration: 12 months
• Start Date: Autumn 2026
• Extension: Up to an additional 6 months, subject to performance review and mutual agreement

Fellowship Benefits

The selected Curatorial Fellow will receive:

• Monthly Salary: €2,175 gross
• Fully funded compulsory health insurance
• Initial flights to Vilnius
• A new work computer
• Assistance with accommodation
• Settling-in support
• Residence and work permit assistance
• Flexible office hours
• Access to the Contemporary Art Centre’s research and project development infrastructure

These benefits are intended to help fellows transition smoothly into their professional role in Lithuania.

Programme Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Support emerging curators.
• Develop professional curatorial practice.
• Encourage international cultural exchange.
• Strengthen collaboration between the UK and Lithuania.
• Promote contemporary art and exhibition development.
• Build institutional curatorial experience.
• Foster artist collaboration and public engagement.

Focus Areas

The fellowship supports experience in:

• Contemporary art
• Curatorial practice
• Exhibition development
• Public programmes
• Artist collaboration
• Institutional curating
• Baltic contemporary art
• Curatorial mentorship
• Symposium coordination
• International cultural exchange

Fellowship Responsibilities

The Curatorial Fellow will:

Curate an Exhibition

• Develop and curate one exhibition in the Northern Gallery on the first floor of Sapieha Palace.
• Design and deliver the accompanying public programme.
• Coordinate related events.

Support Major Exhibitions

Assist with:

• Exhibition development
• Exhibition production
• Public programming
• Event coordination

Coordinate Institutional Activities

Contribute to:

• Planning institutional programmes.
• Working with internal curators.
• Collaborating with external curators.
• Coordinating the Sapieha Palace Symposium.

The fellow will become an active member of the Art Programme Department throughout the fellowship.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants should:

• Have 1–5 years of relevant curatorial experience.
• Hold a BA, MA, or equivalent qualification in:
  • Curating
  • Art history
  • Visual culture
  • A related discipline

Applicants must also have one of the following:

• UK citizenship
• UK residency
• Settled status
• Pre-settled status
• Long-term UK residency
• Another demonstrable UK affiliation

Preferred Applicants

Strong preference will be given to emerging curators who:

• Have not held full-time positions in major museums or cultural institutions.
• Have experience leading small-scale independent projects.
• Have worked in artist-run spaces or alternative creative frameworks.
• Demonstrate initiative and self-directed curatorial practice.

Who is Not Eligible?

The fellowship may not be suitable for applicants who:

• Do not meet the UK affiliation requirements.
• Have extensive full-time experience in major museums or large cultural institutions.
• Cannot relocate to Vilnius.
• Lack the required curatorial background or experience.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that you:

• Meet the UK affiliation requirements.
• Have 1–5 years of curatorial experience.
• Hold an appropriate academic qualification.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Compile the required application materials demonstrating:

• Curatorial experience.
• Professional achievements.
• Exhibition projects.
• Educational background.
• Interest in contemporary art and institutional curating.

Step 3: Highlight Relevant Experience

Emphasize experience with:

• Independent exhibitions.
• Artist collaborations.
• Public programmes.
• Small-scale curatorial initiatives.
• Self-directed creative projects.

Step 4: Demonstrate Motivation

Explain:

• Why you wish to join Sapieha Palace.
• Your interest in Baltic contemporary art.
• Your goals for international curatorial development.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete and submit all required application materials before the official deadline.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The fellowship provides early-career curators with an opportunity to:

• Gain international professional experience.
• Curate exhibitions within a leading contemporary art institution.
• Collaborate with artists and experienced curators.
• Build international professional networks.
• Develop leadership in exhibition-making.
• Strengthen cross-cultural collaboration between the UK and Lithuania.

It serves as an important career-development opportunity for emerging curators interested in contemporary art.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their application by:

• Showcasing original curatorial ideas.
• Highlighting independent projects.
• Demonstrating collaborative experience.
• Presenting a strong understanding of contemporary art.
• Explaining interest in Baltic cultural contexts.
• Providing evidence of professional initiative and creativity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Failing to demonstrate sufficient curatorial experience.
• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Overlooking the relocation requirement.
• Providing little evidence of independent project work.
• Ignoring the fellowship’s focus on emerging practitioners.
• Failing to explain your motivation for joining the programme.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship?

It is a paid, full-time fellowship for early-career UK-based curators to work at Sapieha Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, developing exhibitions and public programmes.

2. How long is the fellowship?

The fellowship lasts 12 months, beginning in Autumn 2026, with the possibility of a six-month extension.

3. What financial support is provided?

The fellowship includes:

• €2,175 gross monthly salary
• Health insurance
• Flights to Vilnius
• Work computer
• Accommodation assistance
• Residence and work permit support
• Flexible working arrangements

4. Who can apply?

Applicants should have 1–5 years of curatorial experience, a relevant academic qualification, and UK citizenship, residency, or another qualifying UK affiliation.

5. What work will the fellow undertake?

The fellow will curate an exhibition, organize public programmes, support institutional exhibitions, collaborate with artists and curators, and help coordinate the Sapieha Palace symposium.

6. Is relocation required?

Yes. Successful applicants must relocate to Vilnius, Lithuania for the duration of the fellowship.

7. What type of applicants are preferred?

Preference is given to emerging curators with experience in independent or small-scale projects who have not previously held full-time positions in major museums or cultural institutions.

Conclusion

The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship at Sapieha Palace offers an outstanding international career opportunity for early-career UK-based curators seeking hands-on experience in contemporary art, institutional curating, and exhibition development. With a 12-month paid fellowship, relocation support, professional mentorship, and the opportunity to curate a major exhibition in Vilnius, the programme provides an exceptional platform for developing curatorial expertise while strengthening cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and Lithuania.