Open Call: New York Curatorial Seminar 2025

Program Description

ICI's Curatorial Seminar is a free professional development program that supports emerging curators to advance their practice. It centers a first-person approach to curating, and focuses on strengthening curatorial practices that support overlooked artists and engage with local art communities while working outside of a large institution. This unique program offers opportunities to gain knowledge and resources through ICI’s network, share ideas, and think through developments in one's own curatorial practice. Through this process, the Seminar seeks to build an affirming network of peers who connect around common values, and support the sharing of knowledge among early-career curators.

In the 2025 New York Curatorial Seminar, six New York-based curators will meet monthly from March to July 2025 for discussion-based seminars and site visits across New York, led by ICI staff, guest curators, artists, and arts professionals. Over the course of the Seminar, each participant will also workshop a proposal for a project and receive individual advisement from selected mentors, who provide a unique perspective on the participant's curatorial practice. 

Seminar sessions will take place virtually and in person at various locations around New York City.

Application Guidelines and Eligibility

• This program is open to emerging curators and arts workers currently based in the New York metropolitan area
• Curators should have 3-5 years of experience working with artists
• Applicants cannot be enrolled in an academic program at the time of the Seminar
• The program will meet primarily on Saturdays

Required materials:

• Description of exhibition or project idea you plan to workshop during the Seminar (250 words max)
• Statement of intent (250 words max)
• Bio demonstrating relevant experience (250 words max)
• CV (uploaded as an attachment in the application)

Applications should be submitted through ICI's application platform. Emailed applications will not be accepted.

Please reach out to Zoe Dobuler, ICI's Senior Programs Coordinator, at zoe@curatorsintl.org with any questions or concerns.

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Credits
This program is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council. This program is also supported by Teiger Foundation and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation.