September 2015–June 2016
Application deadline: January 12, 2015
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 long 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, conference or book project.
The participants of the Curatorial Programme are supported and coached by a team of tutors, experts in their own field. The tutors—with backgrounds in philosophy, curating, art history and art—examine particular tendencies and developments in the field of contemporary visual art. Each individual tutor has a thematic area of focus, which he or she explores in a series of three to six sessions. The tutorial team currently consists of: Floris Alkemade (architect), Lorenzo Benedetti (Director, de Appel arts centre), Liesbeth Bik (visual artist), Charles Esche (Director, Van Abbemuseum; co-curator, Sao Paulo Bienal 2014), Annie Fletcher (curator, Van Abbemuseum), Elena Filipovic (Director, Kunsthalle Basel), Beatrix Ruf (Director, Stedelijk Museum), Henk Slager (dean, MaHKU, Utrecht, co-director Guangzhou Triennial 2015), Lisette Smits (independent researcher/curator), Jan Verwoert (art critic) and Barbara Visser (visual artist).
Apart from regular sessions with the tutorial team, the programme also offers various excursions (including a research trip to a destination outside of Western Europe, such as Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia or South Korea), and the opportunity to meet with a large number of artists, curators, critics and other international professionals, through thematic seminars, studio visits and other encounters. For more detailed information about the curriculum, please consult the programme’s website.
Guest/former teachers over the past years include Mieke Bal, Paul Chan, Alexander Düttmann, James Elkins, Teresa Gleadowe, Ann Goldstein, Larissa Harris, Pablo Helguera, Sven Lütticken, Adam Kleinman, Ieva Misevičiūtė, Gerardo Mosquera, Paul O’Neill, Dieter Roelstraete, Martha Rosler, Nicolaus Schafhausen, Simon Sheikh, Valerie Smith, Hito Steyerl, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Ulay, Alexis Vaillant, and many others.
Application requirements
– A letter of motivation in which you state your personal drive as well as your expectations of the programme (maximum 750 words)
– A proposal for a project (maximum 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.
– A CV, including an extensive description of your relevant work experience
– Two written references of (former) tutors, professors or employers, in English
On the basis of the submitted documents 12 candidates will be short-listed. These candidates will be invited to come to Amsterdam between 23 and 27 March 2015 for an interview with an international jury, who will select the final six participants of the Curatorial Programme 2015–2016.
Send applications digitally to [email protected]. Application deadline is January 12, 2015. For further information please visit our website or contact Saskia van der Kroef, coordinator Curatorial Programme, at [email protected].
