Curatorial Research Fellowships 2024

The program supports curators’ research, travel, and the development of their professional networks, promoting experimentation, collaboration, and international engagement in the field.

Fellowship Categories

In 2024, ICI will accept Fellows as a part of four Fellowship opportunities:

• Curatorial Research Fellowship for Curators of African Descent based anywhere in the World
  • This Curatorial Research Fellowship is specifically intended to support curators of African descent in developing their curatorial practice. It will encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellows may be based anywhere in the world and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually.
• Curatorial Research Fellowship for BIPOC curators based in the U.S.
  • This Curatorial Research Fellowship is specifically intended to support U.S.-based BIPOC curators in developing their curatorial practice. It will encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellows may be based anywhere in the U.S. and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually.
• Indigenous Curatorial Research Fellowship
  • This Curatorial Research Fellowship is specifically intended to support the development of the curatorial practice of Indigenous curators in the U.S. It will encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project. Fellows may be based anywhere in the U.S. and will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually.
• Mississippi River Basin Curatorial Research Fellowship
  • The Mississippi River Basin Curatorial Research Fellowship supports curators who focus on curatorial and artistic practices, and/or alternative histories of the region broadly defined by connections to the Mississippi River: an area encompassing 40% of the United States, which includes the watersheds of the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas-White-Red, and Tennessee Rivers across 32 states. While being based in this region is not a requirement, current or past direct involvement with the area is preferred.

Award Information

• Curatorial Research Fellowship for Curators of African Descent based anywhere in the World
  • Each fellow will receive an award of $10,000.
• Curatorial Research Fellowship for BIPOC Curators Based in the U.S.
  • Each fellow will receive an award of $10,000.
• Indigenous Curatorial Research Fellowship
  • Each fellow will receive an award of $10,000.
• Mississippi River Basin Curatorial Research Fellowship
  • Fellow will receive regular mentorship sessions virtually, as well as an award of $10,000 to encourage independent research study, writing, and/or the development of a curatorial project.

Eligibility Criteria

• Curatorial Research Fellowship for Curators of African Descent Based Anywhere in the World
  • This Fellowship is available exclusively to curators of African descent based anywhere in the world. Open to curators working independently or with institutional affiliations. Minimum 5 years of experience working with contemporary artists.
• Curatorial Research Fellowship for BIPOC Curators Based in the U.S.
  • This Fellowship is available exclusively to BIPOC curators based in the U.S. Open to curators working independently or with institutional affiliations. Minimum 5 years of experience working with contemporary artists.
• Indigenous Curatorial Research Fellowship
  • This Fellowship is available exclusively to Indigenous curators in the U.S., working independently or with institutional affiliations. Minimum 5 years of experience working with contemporary artists.
• Mississippi River Basin Curatorial Research Fellowship
  • This Fellowship is open to curators working independently or with institutional affiliations. Minimum 5 years of experience working with contemporary artists.

Application Guidelines For All Fellowships

• Required materials for all Fellowships:
  • One-sentence proposal summary (40 words max)
  • Description of proposed curatorial research, goals, and process, including the next 3 steps you plan to take to develop your research project (400 words max)
  • Description of resources needed and/or travel plans (100 words max)
  • Description of mentorship needs (100 words max)
  • Preliminary list of artists, curators, writers, etc. relevant to your project (70 words max)
  • Description of the relevance of the project to the field (100 words max)
  • Description of how the Fellowship will impact the applicant’s practice (100 words max)
  • Bio demonstrating relevant experience (250 words max)
• Other guidelines:
  • Applicants may apply to multiple Fellowships, if eligible.
  • Applications should be submitted through ICI’s application portal. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
  • Applications may be submitted in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese, but a working knowledge of English is necessary for participation in the Fellowships, which are conducted in English.

For more information, visit Independent Curators International.