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 2025 edition of the Fellowship builds upon previous experiences, responds to Fellows’ feedback, and recognises the urgent need to provide unique professional development opportunities related to working with artists in ways that push beyond the boundaries of traditional exhibition making, communication and publishing formats.
The Fellowship will provide unique training, skills, and experience, while embedded in the curatorial workings of a non-profit gallery that is recognised for its experimental and innovative approach. It 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.
For a Fellow based outside of London, we are collaborating with the London-based non-profit Delfina Foundation, to offer the opportunity to take part in Delfina Foundation’s renowned residency programme. The Fellow will receive additional professional development opportunities, mentoring, and peer-to-peer exchange with other practitioners, along with two months of accommodation at the Delfina house in central London.
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.
The Fellow will be given the opportunity to research and develop aspects of public-facing programming over which they will have responsibility for implementation. Throughout the placement, mentoring and assistance from senior staff will allow the Fellow to develop and refine their skills and establish their own curatorial ambitions. The placement is designed to instil agency, to allow the realisation of new curatorial achievements, to enable, formulate and expand on new ideas and growth in their profession.
Asymmetry will provide additional mentoring and resources to further the Fellow’s independent curatorial research. For one day a week over six months, the Fellow will receive additional support to collaborate with Asymmetry’s curatorial network and develop an independent public programme or research project.
ABOUT CHISENHALE GALLERY
Chisenhale Gallery was founded by artists. The same experimental vision and spirit of possibility that changed an empty veneer factory and brewery warehouse into an art gallery guides the gallery’s work today. Chisenhale Gallery commissions and produces contemporary art, supporting international and UK-based artists to make their most ambitious work to date by pursuing new directions in their practices. The gallery is committed to its audiences having access to the energy and ideas of an ever-expanding artist community. Chisenhale Gallery has an award winning, 38-year history as one of London’s most innovative forums for art production and presentation. With a reputation for identifying new artistic talent, Chisenhale Gallery believes in making cultural impact through working with artists. The gallery develops ideas with artists over a one- to two-year incubation period, from concept to completion. Located in a dynamic and creative residential neighbourhood in the heart of London’s East End, where many cultures converge, Chisenhale Gallery is an evolving space for experimentation, transformed by each artist’s commission.
ABOUT DELFINA FOUNDATION
Founded in 2007, Delfina Foundation hosts artists and creative practitioners from around the world in its home in central London: providing essential space and support for experimentation, research, and development; facilitating vital networks and dialogue across the art world and society; presenting new artists, art, and ideas to local and global audiences; and nurturing long-standing global communities of artists and creative practitioners.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
3 NOVEMBER 2024
FELLOWSHIP DURATION:
31 MARCH 2025 – 25 SEPTEMBER 2026
FOR THE APPLICATION PACKAGE, PLEASE SUBMIT:
– The completed Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship Application Form (click to download)
– 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 Curatorial Research Fellowship application package via e-mail to fellowship@asymmetryart.org
Application language and material must be submitted in English. Please note that the file size should not exceed a total of 10 MB. For more details on requirements, timeline, and further guidelines, please read the Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship Information Sheet (click to download).
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
3 NOVEMBER 2024
Website link: https://www.asymmetryart.org/activities/2025-curatorial-research-fellowship-at-chisenhale-gallery-london
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