Deadline: 31-Jan-23
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office invites applications from Emerging Curators for their 2023 Emerging Curator Development Programme (ECDP).
The Arts Office initiated this programme in 2019, to support emerging curators in developing and progressing their skills, experience and ultimately their careers.
Benefits
- The successful applicant will:
- gain experience and professional development in curating and managing exhibitions / projects
- develop and expand their networks and relationships across the arts and culture sector
- participate in the artistic programming of the city and county of Kilkenny showcasing the works of contemporary artists
- further enhance the arts and cultural offer in Kilkenny to local and national audiences alike
- benefit from working alongside a long-established Arts Department within Kilkenny County Council, benefitting from the years of experience and expertise of the Arts Officer and her staff
- be mentored by Etaoin Holahan, a curator living and working in Callan, Co. Kilkenny with over ten years of experience in curating, producing and presenting multidisciplinary projects focused on community & civic engagement
- The successful candidate will receive:
- A curatorial fee of €7,000
- Exhibition / project budget
- Curatorial support, including mentoring
- Technical and installation advice and support
- Logistical support
Responsibilities of the Curator
- Curate and deliver up to three exhibitions / projects across an agreed period of time
- Manage the budget and provide regular updates to the Arts Officer
- Manage the artists in regards to Local Authority set up and invoicing
- Work with the Arts Office and their mentor to realise these exhibitions / projects
- Research and engage the artists to be a part of the exhibitions/ projects and be responsible for the logistics for each
- Produce press material and social media content for each exhibition/project in a timely manner
- Manage the Arts Office Instagram account for the duration of the programme
- Write and upload regular blog updates
- Work with the artists to write the all texts for the exhibitions / projects when relevant
- Work closely with the Arts Office to manage all aspects of the exhibitions / projects working within the constraints of the space(s) they work in
- The exhibitions / projects must impact and benefit artists and /or communities in Kilkenny
- This can include communities of place, historical /environmental/social aspects of Kilkenny or a specific demographic.
- Projects may also include an international context and / or feature new ways of working reflecting the current global pandemic.
- All projects can feature a solo practitioner and
- One exhibition / project must feature an emerging Kilkenny artist at its core
- The programme must include a minimum of one audience development / engagement initiative per exhibition / project. The Emerging Curator will utilise the existing networks and contacts of the Arts Office to support the realisation of these associated events, they will also endeavour to forge new relationships.
- The curator must be cognisant of working inclusively when organising such initiatives, taking local groups, new communities, young people and diversity into consideration
- Provide a final report and complete the Arts Office’s ‘pre’ and ‘post’ programme evaluation forms.
- Meet all project deadlines provided by the Arts Office and any media outlets.
*NB for 2023 the exhibitions / projects will not necessarily be delivered or presented in a traditional gallery space, but instead may be curated for alternative sites and spaces where possible. This can also include online space and sites county wide where available.
Eligibility Criteria
- For 2023 this opportunity is opened to emerging curators, artists and project managers The successful applicant should have:
- a degree in fine art or an associated field
- Knowledge and experience of contemporary visual arts in Ireland and beyond
- Existing artist’s networks OR knowledge of emerging visual artists across the county, the island of Ireland and beyond
- An understanding of the issues facing visual artists in developing their practice
- demonstrable curatorial experience (albeit limited experience)
- have proven project management skills (albeit limited experience)
- Proven ability to build relationships with artists, communities and existing and new audiences
- Knowledge of the artistic vitality of Kilkenny
For more information, visit Kilkenny County Council Arts Office.