Application deadline: January 18, 2016
Curatorial Programme
de Appel arts centre
Prins Hendrikkade 142
1011 AT Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Initiated in 1994, the Curatorial Programme of de Appel arts centre aims to offer young curators a condensed package of experiences and skills that can be seen as instruments to refine their thinking and enhance the development of their professional career. It is one of the oldest curatorial programmes, but continues to adjust its curriculum to new circumstances in the curatorial field.
The ten-month, full-time Curatorial Programme (running from September until June) is practice-based and structured along the principles of “learning by doing” and “collective curating.” A select group of six participants, based in Amsterdam, partakes in a dense array of tutorials, workshops, excursions, a practice-related case-study and encounters with artists, art professionals and cultural producers. They finalise their stay in Amsterdam with a collective curatorial endeavor, realising an exhibition, festival, public programme or publication.
The participants of the Curatorial Programme are supported and coached by a team of tutors and guest teachers with backgrounds in art, curating, art history and philosophy. During various tutorials and seminars, the participants examine particular tendencies and developments in the field of contemporary visual art, according to a specific theme. Apart from these regular sessions, the programme also offers various excursions, including a research trip to a destination outside of Western Europe and the opportunity to meet with a large number of artists, curators, critics and other international professionals.
Tutors and guest teachers over the past years have included: Floris Alkemade (architect), Mieke Bal (scholar), Liesbeth Bik (visual artist), Paul Chan (visual artist), Charles Esche (director, Van Abbemuseum; curator, Jakarta Biennial 2015), James Elkins (art critic), Hendrik Folkerts (curator, Documenta 14), Annie Fletcher (curator, Van Abbemuseum), Elena Filipovic (director, Kunsthalle Basel), Teresa Gleadowe (curator, writer), Ann Goldstein (curator; former director, Stedelijk Museum), Pablo Helguera (visual artist), Sven Lütticken (writer, scholar), Adam Kleinman (writer), Ieva Misevičiūtė (visual artist), Gerardo Mosquera (curator), Paul O’Neill (curator, writer), Dieter Roelstraete (writer; curator, Documenta 14), Martha Rosler (visual artist), Beatrix Ruf (director, Stedelijk Museum), Nicolaus Schafhausen (artistic director, Kunsthalle Wien), Aaron Schuster (scholar), Henk Slager (dean, MaHKU, Utrecht; co-director, Guangzhou Triennial 2015), Lisette Smits (independent researcher, curator), Hito Steyerl (artist), Hans Ulrich Obrist (curator), Ulay (visual artist), Alexis Vaillant (curator), Jan Verwoert (writer) and Barbara Visser (visual artist).
For more detailed information about the curriculum, please consult the programme’s website.
Application requirements
1. A letter of motivation in which you state your personal drive as well as your expectations of the programme (max. 750 words)
2. A proposal for a project (max. 3000 words) including: concept and location of the project (main focus, explanation of context and relevance), the participating artists (including some image material), a realistic budget, and a publicity plan (not mandatory). (Please note that this is a hypothetical project, to help familiarize the jury with your interests, ideas and curatorial approach.)
3. A CV, including an extensive description of your relevant work experience
4. Two written references of (former) tutors, professors or employers (In English only.)
On the basis of the submitted documents, 12 candidates will be short-listed. These candidates will be invited to come to Amsterdam between March 22 and 31, 2016 for an interview with an international jury, who will select the final six participants of the Curatorial Programme 2016–17.
Send applications digitally to: [email protected].
For further information please visit our website or contact Saskia van der Kroef, coordinator Curatorial Programme, at [email protected].
