Organizer Information
The AHL Foundation is a New York–based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Korean and Korean-American artists through exhibitions, grants, research initiatives, and curatorial opportunities. The foundation plays a significant role in expanding the visibility of contemporary Korean art within the United States and internationally, with a particular emphasis on fostering curatorial development and cross-cultural dialogue.
Through its curatorial programs, exhibitions, and funding initiatives, the AHL Foundation actively contributes to increasing diversity within the contemporary art field while providing structural support for emerging and mid-career curators and artists of Korean heritage.
Title & Description
2026 AHL Foundation Curatorial Open Call
The AHL Foundation Curatorial Open Call is a competitive Curatorial opportunity designed to support curators of Korean heritage in developing and presenting a fully funded exhibition in New York. The selected curator will receive a $5,000 Grant to produce an exhibition scheduled for April 2027 at the AHL Foundation Gallery.
The program is structured to support research-driven and conceptually rigorous curatorial proposals centered on contemporary Korean art. The selected exhibition is expected to contribute to critical discourse in the field while highlighting collaborative group-based practices.
Curators are encouraged to propose group exhibitions featuring multiple artists, with a strong preference for Collaborative / Interdisciplinary Art Projects and research-based curatorial approaches. The grant covers all production aspects, including artist fees, installation, documentation, shipping, and related programming.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Visual Art
- Exhibition
- Group Exhibition
- Research-Based Art
- Photography (if included in proposals)
- Video/Film (if included in proposals)
- Installation
- Mixed Media
- Art Writing / Curatorial Research
Eligibility
- Must be of Korean heritage
- Must have an authorized working status in the United States
- Preference given to New York-based applicants
- Curators at emerging, mid-career, or established levels may apply
- Group exhibition proposals (2 or more artists) are preferred
- Applicants must attend the AHL Foundation Awards Ceremony in New York on November 7, 2026
Restrictions:
- Curators cannot include their own artwork in the exhibition
- Previously exhibited projects are not eligible
Program Benefits & Awards
- $5,000 Grant (total production budget)
- Exhibition presentation at AHL Foundation Gallery (April 2027)
- Professional PR support, including press outreach, newsletters, and social media promotion
- Institutional visibility within the contemporary Korean art network in the US
- Opportunity to produce a fully funded curatorial exhibition
Note: All travel, production, and event-related costs must be covered within the $5,000 grant.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV / Resume / Biography
- Curatorial exhibition proposal (max 500 words)
- Statement of expected impact
- Detailed budget plan (totaling $5,000)
- List of participating artists with short bios
- Artist CVs and biographies
- PDF portfolio (1–2 images per artist, max 10 images total)
- For time-based/media works, URL links must be included in PDF format
Important: Application progress cannot be saved mid-process.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Period: 31 May 2026
- Notification of Results: 4 July 2026
- Awards Ceremony (mandatory attendance): 7 November 2026
- Exhibition Period: April 2027 (subject to change)
Location
New York, United States
Additional Details
This curatorial grant emphasizes research-led approaches to contemporary Korean art and prioritizes group exhibition formats. Proposals must be fully developed, including a conceptual framework, artist selection, and complete budget allocation.
The program encourages curators to integrate public programming and auxiliary events as part of the exhibition strategy. All costs, including production, documentation, and artist compensation, must be managed within the fixed grant amount.
The initiative is part of AHL Foundation’s broader mission to strengthen the representation and visibility of Korean heritage practitioners within the global contemporary art ecosystem.