Apply Now: Curatorial Fellowship at Camden Art Centre

Deadline: 13-Jul-2026

The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship Program 2026 offers Baltic early-career curators a full-time, paid Assistant Curator position at Camden Art Centre in London, United Kingdom. The 12-month fellowship provides a salary of £30,960 per year, professional mentorship, hands-on exhibition experience, and opportunities to build international curatorial networks while working with one of the UK’s leading contemporary art institutions.

About the Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship Program

The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship Program supports the professional development of emerging curators connected to the Baltic region by providing practical experience in a world-renowned contemporary art institution.

Hosted within the Exhibitions Department at Camden Art Centre, the fellowship enables participants to contribute to the research, planning, production, and delivery of exhibitions, public programmes, publications, and artistic collaborations while developing their own curatorial practice.

The programme encourages research and dialogue around Baltic and Central and Eastern European contemporary art, strengthening international cultural exchange and supporting the next generation of curatorial professionals.

Fellowship Details

• Position: Assistant Curator
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Duration: 12 months
• Start Date: Autumn 2026
• Possible Extension: Up to 6 additional months following a formal review and mutual agreement
• Location: Camden Art Centre, London, United Kingdom

Successful applicants must relocate to London for the fellowship.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship provides:

• Annual Salary: £30,960
• Full-time employment as an Assistant Curator
• Structured professional development
• Curatorial mentorship
• Practical exhibition-making experience
• Opportunities to build professional networks in London and internationally
• Experience working on exhibitions, publications, commissions, residencies, and public programmes

Programme Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Support early-career Baltic curators.
• Develop professional curatorial skills.
• Promote contemporary art practice.
• Strengthen exhibition development expertise.
• Encourage international collaboration.
• Expand knowledge of Baltic and Central and Eastern European art.
• Build long-term professional networks.

Focus Areas

The fellowship supports experience in:

• Contemporary art
• Curatorial practice
• Exhibition research
• Exhibition planning
• Exhibition production
• Public programmes
• Exhibition interpretation
• Publications
• Exhibition documentation
• Artist collaboration
• Loans and installation
• Curatorial discussions
• Baltic contemporary art
• Central and Eastern European artistic contexts

Key Responsibilities

The Curatorial Fellow will support the Exhibitions Curator and Director by contributing to:

Exhibition Development

• Exhibition research
• Curatorial planning
• Exhibition production
• Exhibition installation
• Exhibition documentation

Project Coordination

Assist with:

• Public programmes
• Publications
• Interpretation materials
• Exhibition logistics

Professional Collaboration

Work closely with:

• Artists
• Galleries
• Writers
• Designers
• Lenders
• Partner organisations

Research and Knowledge Sharing

Contribute to:

• Internal presentations
• Curatorial discussions
• Research related to Baltic and Central and Eastern European art

Professional Development Opportunities

Participants will gain:

• Practical institutional curatorial experience
• Professional mentorship
• Exhibition management skills
• International networking opportunities
• Experience working across multiple exhibition formats
• Exposure to commissions, residencies, publications, and public events

Who is Eligible?

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate a strong connection to the Baltic region, including:
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Baltic diasporas

Connections may be demonstrated through:

• Lived experience
• Family heritage
• Knowledge of a Baltic language
• Relevant research
• Curatorial practice

Applicants should also have:

• Early-career curatorial experience gained through:
  • Freelance work
  • Project-based work
  • Self-organised initiatives
  • Institutional experience
• A BA, MA, or equivalent qualification in:
  • Curating
  • Art history
  • Visual culture
  • A related discipline

Desirable Qualifications

Preference may be given to applicants with:

• Working knowledge of:
  • Lithuanian
  • Latvian
  • Estonian
• Fluency in an additional language
• Experience using Articheck
• Experience with CRM systems, particularly Salesforce

Work Authorization Requirements

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom through one of the following:

• Eligibility under the UK Skilled Worker (New Entrant) Visa
• Eligibility under the Creative Worker Visa
• Existing valid UK work authorization

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that you:

• Meet the Baltic connection requirement.
• Have relevant curatorial experience.
• Hold the required academic qualification.
• Are eligible to work in the UK.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Compile documents demonstrating:

• Curatorial experience
• Exhibition projects
• Academic qualifications
• Research interests
• Professional achievements

Step 3: Highlight Your Curatorial Practice

Emphasize experience in:

• Exhibition research
• Artist collaboration
• Independent projects
• Contemporary art
• Public programmes
• Baltic or Central and Eastern European art

Step 4: Demonstrate Motivation

Explain:

• Why you wish to work at Camden Art Centre.
• Your interest in Baltic contemporary art.
• How the fellowship aligns with your professional goals.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit all required materials before the official application deadline.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The fellowship offers emerging curators the opportunity to:

• Work within one of the UK’s leading contemporary art institutions.
• Gain practical exhibition-making experience.
• Build international professional networks.
• Strengthen research and curatorial practice.
• Promote Baltic contemporary art internationally.
• Develop long-term careers in museum and gallery curation.

It provides a valuable bridge between Baltic artistic communities and the international contemporary art sector.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

• Demonstrating a clear connection to the Baltic region.
• Presenting independent curatorial projects.
• Highlighting collaborative experience.
• Showing knowledge of contemporary art.
• Explaining their research interests.
• Demonstrating strong organisational and communication skills.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Failing to demonstrate Baltic connections.
• Providing insufficient evidence of curatorial experience.
• Ignoring UK work authorization requirements.
• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Providing unclear career goals.
• Failing to explain interest in Camden Art Centre and its programme.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship Program?

It is a paid professional fellowship that places an early-career Baltic curator in a full-time Assistant Curator role at Camden Art Centre in London.

2. How long does the fellowship last?

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

3. What salary does the fellowship provide?

The selected fellow will receive an annual salary of £30,960.

4. Who can apply?

Applicants should be early-career curators with a demonstrated connection to the Baltic region, relevant curatorial experience, an appropriate academic qualification, and legal eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

5. What will the fellow do?

The fellow will support exhibition research, planning, production, publications, public programmes, artist collaborations, exhibition installation, documentation, and institutional curatorial activities.

6. Is relocation required?

Yes. The fellowship is based at Camden Art Centre in London, and successful applicants must relocate to the United Kingdom.

7. What professional opportunities does the fellowship provide?

Participants gain mentorship, practical curatorial experience, professional networking, and the opportunity to contribute to internationally recognized exhibitions, publications, commissions, residencies, and public programmes.

Conclusion

The Upė Foundation Curatorial Fellowship Program 2026 provides an exceptional opportunity for Baltic early-career curators to develop their professional practice through a paid Assistant Curator position at Camden Art Centre in London. With a £30,960 annual salary, structured mentorship, international networking, and extensive hands-on experience in exhibition development, the fellowship equips participants with the skills, knowledge, and professional connections needed to advance their careers in contemporary art curation while strengthening cultural exchange between the Baltic region and the international art community.

For more information, visit Upė Foundation.