Curators and Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme (New Zealand)

The Curators and Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme 2027 offers one-month exhibition residencies in New Zealand for recent arts graduates, emerging and established curators, independent practitioners, and collectives. Selected residents receive gallery access, accommodation, technical and promotional support, and a travel and food stipend of up to NZ$1,000.

What Is the Curators and Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme?

The programme provides emerging and established creative practitioners with an opportunity to develop and present an exhibition, public programme, or experimental project in a professional gallery environment.

The 2027 programme offers two separate residency opportunities:

• Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme: May 2027.
• Curators Exhibition Programme: November 2027.

Each selected resident receives exclusive use of the Project 100 gallery for one month.

What Does the Residency Offer?

Selected participants receive practical resources to develop and present their projects, including:

• Exclusive use of the Project 100 gallery for one month.
• Accommodation in a central-city apartment.
• Administrative support.
• Promotional support.
• Up to four hours of technician assistance.
• Travel and food stipend of up to NZ$1,000.

The residency is intended to give participants the space and professional support needed to experiment with contemporary exhibition-making and audience engagement.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Eligibility differs between the two programme streams.

Recent Graduates

The Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme is intended for applicants who:

• Have graduated from a tertiary arts programme within the past two years.
• Are based in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Preferably graduated from a New Zealand tertiary institution.
• Can present a strong concept for an exhibition or related creative project.

Curators

The Curators Exhibition Programme is open to:

• Emerging curators.
• Established curators.
• Independent practitioners.
• Curatorial collectives.

Applicants should demonstrate strong conceptual thinking and an ability to develop engaging contemporary exhibition projects.

What Projects Are Supported?

The programme seeks proposals that demonstrate strong ideas and meaningful audience engagement.

Possible formats include:

• Contemporary art exhibitions.
• Experimental exhibition projects.
• Public programmes.
• Curatorial projects.
• Interdisciplinary creative presentations.
• New approaches to exhibition-making.

The emphasis is on conceptual strength, experimentation, contemporary practice, and audience engagement rather than a particular artistic medium.

2027 Residency Opportunities

Both opportunities provide one month of exclusive gallery use.

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Develop Your Concept

Create a clear exhibition, public programme, or experimental project concept.

Step 2: Demonstrate Your Practice

Show how your previous artistic, curatorial, academic, or professional experience supports the proposed project.

Step 3: Explain Audience Engagement

Describe how the project will engage audiences and contribute to contemporary exhibition-making.

Step 4: Select the Appropriate Stream

Recent graduates should apply through the Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme, while curators and eligible collectives should apply through the Curators Exhibition Programme.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Applicants should provide the required application information and supporting material demonstrating their eligibility, creative practice, and proposed project.

Why This Residency Matters

The programme provides emerging practitioners and curators with more than exhibition space. It combines professional gallery access, accommodation, technical assistance, administration, promotion, and financial support.

For recent graduates, the residency can provide an early professional platform for developing an exhibition and building experience. For curators and independent practitioners, it offers an opportunity to test new ideas and create ambitious contemporary projects with institutional support.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Make the concept specific: Clearly explain what you want to create and why.
• Focus on the idea: Demonstrate the conceptual thinking behind the proposed exhibition or project.
• Show audience value: Explain how visitors will interact with or experience the work.
• Demonstrate readiness: Recent graduates should connect their academic experience to the proposed project.
• Show curatorial strength: Curator applicants should demonstrate their ability to develop and deliver a coherent exhibition.
• Use supporting material strategically: Include relevant examples that demonstrate the quality and direction of your practice.
• Consider the one-month timeframe: Present a project that can realistically be developed and delivered during the residency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Curators and Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme?

It is a 2027 exhibition residency programme in New Zealand offering selected participants one month of exclusive gallery access to develop an exhibition, public programme, or experimental project.

When are the 2027 residencies held?

The Recent Graduates residency is scheduled for May 2027, while the Curators residency is scheduled for November 2027.

Who can apply for the Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme?

Recent graduates based in Aotearoa New Zealand who completed a tertiary arts programme within the previous two years can apply. Graduates from New Zealand institutions are preferred.

Who can apply for the Curators Exhibition Programme?

The programme is open to emerging and established curators, independent practitioners, and eligible collectives based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What financial support is provided?

Residents receive a travel and food stipend of up to NZ$1,000, in addition to accommodation and other programme support.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Selected residents receive accommodation in a central-city apartment for the residency period.

Is technical support available?

Yes. Residents receive up to four hours of technician support, along with administrative and promotional assistance.

Conclusion

The Curators and Recent Graduates Exhibition Programme 2027 provides a valuable professional development and exhibition opportunity for creative practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand. By combining one-month gallery access, accommodation, technical assistance, promotion, administration, and up to NZ$1,000 in travel and food support, the programme enables recent graduates and curators to turn strong contemporary ideas into public-facing creative projects.