Open call 2025/26
Application deadline: November 3, 2024
We are excited to announce our international open call for the 2025 Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship at Chisenhale Gallery, London. This is an 18-month post for an early career curator to develop their curatorial practice supporting the gallery’s internationally renowned commissions programme and newly founded publishing initiative, Chisenhale Books. The fellowship will further provide the curator with the opportunity to develop and contribute to various editorial, communications and social media outputs, thinking critically about the connections between the gallery, commissioned artists and our audiences, in line with the organisation’s mission, vision and values.
The Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship marks an evolution of the partnership between Asymmetry and Chisenhale Gallery, which to date has yielded two successful Curatorial Writing Fellows and one Curatorial Research Fellow. The fellowship will provide instrumental hands-on experience including exhibition organisation, artist liaison, project-based research, production support, publishing and editorial input, and public programming. There will also be an opportunity to work with the organisation’s rich exhibitions archive, thinking critically about the gallery’s legacy and future archival practice. Moreover, the Curatorial Research Fellow will contribute research and ideas to the gallery’s programme, in collaboration with the wider curatorial team, and support the delivery of events, artists’ books and other publishing outputs. The position is aimed at curators identifying to any extent with Chinese and Sinophone cultures and identities, based in the regions or internationally.
About the Curatorial Research Fellowship
The 2025 Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellow will work closely with Chisenhale’s curatorial team, who are committed to pastoral care and supportive professional development. Managed by Chisenhale’s Curator, the Fellow will work directly on the development of commissions, events and publications with artists. Previous projects included Lotus L. Kang, Benoît Piéron, Alia Farid, Joshua Leon, Rory Pilgrim and Simnikiwe Buhlungu. The Fellow will also engage in critical conversation, close reading and rigorous thought, alongside the development of invaluable practical skills. Opportunities for studio visits and critical discourse will be facilitated via Chisenhale’s extensive creative peer network.
Additionally, Asymmetry will provide the time and space for the fellow to further their independent curatorial research. For one day a week over 6 months, the fellow will be given additional support to work in collaboration with Asymmetry’s curatorial network and realise an independent public programme or research project.
For a fellow based outside of London, accommodation at Delfina Foundation will be offered for the first two months of the fellowship to support the Fellow’s settling into London. The integration into Delfina Foundation’s renowned residency programme will also offer the Fellow additional professional development opportunities, mentoring as well as peer-to-peer exchange with other practitioners alongside accommodation.
Fellowship duration: March 31, 2025–September 25, 2026 / Application deadline: November 3, 2024.
For the application package, please submit:
–The completed Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship Application Form (to be downloaded from our website)
–Your current CV, outlining previous employment history, past exhibition projects, residencies, awards, publications, and public programming (such as talks, symposia, and conferences)
–A cover letter summarising your curatorial interests and research in contemporary art and its wider discourse in relation to your motivation to undertake the Fellowship (500 words)
Please send in your complete application package via e-mail to fellowship [at] asymmetryart.org.
Application language and material must be submitted in English. Please note that the file size should not exceed a total of 10MB. To learn more about timeline, budget, previous recipients, and download the application form, please visit us here.
About Asymmetry
Asymmetry is a London-based independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to nurturing curatorial practice and disseminating knowledge about Chinese and Sinophone contemporary art. Asymmetry works regionally and internationally, promoting meaningful exchange between creative practitioners, institutions, and audiences to enable pioneering research, collaboration, production, and participation.
