Organizer Information
Bonavista Biennale is a contemporary public art organization based in Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), Canada. Operating on a biennial model, the organization produces large-scale exhibitions across the Bonavista Peninsula, integrating contemporary artistic practices within rural and coastal environments. Since its inception, the Biennale has hosted over 110 artists across more than 40 sites, fostering dialogue between local communities and international contemporary art. Its programming emphasizes site-responsive work, cultural exchange, and engagement with the environmental and social fabric of the region.
Title & Description
Curator(s) – Bonavista Biennale 2027
Bonavista Biennale is seeking a Curator or Curatorial Team to lead the artistic direction of its 2027 edition, taking place from August 14 to September 12, 2027.
This opportunity invites curators to develop a compelling curatorial vision that responds to the unique geographical, cultural, and social context of the Bonavista Peninsula. The Biennale is internationally recognised for its emphasis on site-specific and community-engaged practices, encouraging the production of new works that interact directly with the landscape and local narratives.
The selected curator(s) will shape the exhibition’s conceptual framework, select participating artists, and oversee the realization of commissioned works. The role requires balancing ambitious artistic vision with sensitivity to regional priorities, logistical realities, and community collaboration.
The Role Overview
- Position: Curator or Curatorial Team
- Contract Type: Fixed-term, project-based
- Start Date: May 18, 2026
- Exhibition Dates: August 14 – September 12, 2027
- Fee / Salary:
- Total flat fee: $30,000 CAD (+ HST if applicable)
- Paid in four instalments tied to deliverables:
- $5,000 (May 2026)
- $7,500 (January 2027)
- $10,000 (June 2027)
- $7,500 (upon completion)
- If applying as a duo, the fee is shared
- Additional Financial Support:
- $2,500 CAD research travel stipend
- All project-related travel, accommodation, and per diem are covered
- Reporting to: Executive Director
- Support Team: Exhibitions Manager + organizational staff
Position & Tasks
- Curatorial Oversight
- Develop and articulate the curatorial theme and vision
- Select and invite participating artists
- Conduct site research and align artists with locations
- Maintain artist research and production documentation
- Exhibition & Artist Management
- Coordinate artist logistics (travel, accommodation, production needs)
- Oversee installation processes and site preparation
- Ensure compliance with health and safety standards
- Produce and contribute to curatorial texts (catalogue, website, interpretive materials)
- Programming & Public Engagement
- Contribute to talks, workshops, and public programming
- Ensure accessibility and clarity of curatorial content
- Budget & Operations
- Collaborate on budget planning and cost management
- Communication & PR
- Participate in media, promotional content, and public events
- Collaborate on catalogue production
- Partnerships & Funding
- Support institutional collaborations and co-commissions
- Contribute to fundraising and grant opportunities
Categories
- Visual Art
- Installation
- Site-Specific Art
- Sculpture
- Public Art
- Interdisciplinary Practices
Eligibility
- Open to international applicants
- Open to independent or institutionally affiliated curators
- All career levels encouraged (emerging to established)
- Applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience with site-specific or community-based projects
- Ability to work closely with artists on new commissions
- Knowledge of Indigenous and regional contexts in Newfoundland and Labrador is an asset
- International applicants must secure their own work permits
Program Benefits
- $30,000 CAD curatorial fee
- $2,500 CAD research travel grant
- Full coverage of travel, accommodation, and per diem
- Opportunity to curate a major international biennial
- Production support for new commissions
- Strong visibility within global contemporary art networks
- Deep engagement with a unique rural and ecological context
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover Letter (max. 1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact details for two professional references
How to Apply?
Submit applications via email to: sue@bonavistabiennale.com
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 April 2026
- Start Date: 18 May 2026
- Research Visit: Summer 2026 (July/August, 1 week – expenses covered)
- Installation Period: August 2027 (~10 days on-site)
- Biennale Dates: August 14 – September 12, 2027
Location
Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Additional Details
- A valid driver’s license is required due to the geographic spread of sites
- The Biennale takes place in a remote rural environment, requiring:
- Long-distance driving
- Adaptability to weather and infrastructure limitations
- Hands-on involvement in installations and logistics
- Limited access to electricity and mobile coverage in some areas
- Strong emphasis on collaboration, problem-solving, and flexibility
- The Biennale encourages applications from IBPOC and marginalized communities
- The organisation acknowledges its location on unceded Mi’kmaw territory (Ktaqmkuk) and respects Indigenous histories and presence