Organizer Information
The programme is jointly organized by the Art Fund, in collaboration with Frieze and the National Gallery.
The Art Fund is a leading UK arts charity dedicated to supporting museums and galleries through funding, professional development, and advocacy for public collections. It plays a central role in strengthening curatorial practice and improving access to cultural heritage across the United Kingdom.
Frieze is an international art platform known for its global art fairs, publications, and cultural programming, connecting contemporary art practice with the wider art market and institutional ecosystem. The National Gallery, based in London, is one of the world’s most important art museums, housing a historic collection of European painting and serving as a major center for research, conservation, and public engagement.
Together, these institutions deliver a high-level professional development programme focused on curatorial exchange, museum practice, and cross-sector knowledge sharing.
Title & Description
Art Fund Curators Programme at Frieze Masters – Fully Funded Curatorial Exchange Programme
This opportunity is a fully funded curatorial development programme designed for UK and international museum and gallery professionals. It offers selected participants the chance to engage in a two-day intensive learning experience focused on contemporary curatorial practice, exhibition-making, and the relationship between public institutions and the commercial art world.
The programme combines academic, institutional, and market perspectives through seminars, workshops, talks, and behind-the-scenes access to major cultural institutions. Participants will explore topics such as transhistorical exhibition-making, collection development, loan systems, curatorial research, and art market dynamics.
Led by Dr. Jennifer Sliwka (Director of the Picture Gallery of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna), the programme fosters critical dialogue between emerging and established curators while providing direct access to leading professionals, exhibitions, and institutional frameworks.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Museum Studies
- Visual Arts
- Art History
- Exhibition Design
- Cultural Programming
- Arts Management
- Research
- Contemporary Art
Eligibility
- Open to UK and international museum and gallery professionals
- Applicants must work in institutions with publicly accessible collections
- Suitable for early-career to mid-career curators
- International applicants are eligible (limited funded places available)
- Strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and representation across identities
- Applicants from underrepresented groups in the sector are strongly encouraged to apply
Program Benefits & Awards
- Fully funded participation in a 2-day curatorial programme
- 10 funded places for UK-based curators
- Up to 8 funded places for international curators
- Travel costs covered (UK and international arrangements supported)
- 2 nights of accommodation provided
- £25 per diem (UK participants reimbursed; international per diem reimbursement system)
- Access to Frieze London and Frieze Masters
- Behind-the-scenes access to the National Gallery
- Curatorial workshops, seminars, and institutional tours
- Networking with curators, art dealers, advisors, and researchers
- Entry into alumni network and follow-up programming
- Professional exposure to both the museum and the art market systems
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (Word document)
- CV or professional biography
- Curatorial experience statement (as part of application form)
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) monitoring form (optional but encouraged)
- Submission via designated email depending on applicant category (UK or international)
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email:
- UK applicants: rdingle@artfund.org
- International applicants: fmcuratorsprogramme@frieze.com
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 14 June 2026
- Notification Period: Within 4 weeks after the deadline
- Programme Dates: 15–16 October 2026
- Duration: 2-day in-person programme + online pre-session
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The programme emphasizes environmentally responsible travel and encourages participants to consider sustainable transport options when attending. It also includes a strong institutional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on expanding access for underrepresented curatorial voices.
Participants will gain rare dual exposure to museum and commercial art environments, offering insight into how curatorial practice operates across different cultural economies and institutional frameworks.