Organizer Information
The New Curators programme is a London-based curatorial training initiative delivered in collaboration with the contemporary art ecosystem in the UK. It operates in close association with institutions such as the South London Gallery, which hosts its office and teaching studio. The programme is supported by a network of curators, artists, trustees, and cultural professionals working across museums, galleries, and independent art spaces in the UK and internationally.
The core mission of New Curators is to address structural inequality in access to curatorial careers. It is designed specifically for individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who face systemic barriers such as limited access to arts education, lack of professional networks, and financial constraints. The programme is positioned as an intervention into the contemporary art field, aiming to diversify who becomes a curator and how curatorial knowledge is produced and circulated.
Rather than functioning as a traditional academic course, it operates as a paid professional development programme embedded within real-world curatorial practice, research, and exhibition-making.
Title & Description
New Curators 2027 – Year-Long Paid Curatorial Training Programme
New Curators is an intensive, fully funded, year-long curatorial training programme based in London, designed for emerging curators of contemporary art who come from structurally disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The programme provides participants with a comprehensive professional foundation in curating, combining theoretical study, practical training, and direct engagement with the contemporary art world.
The programme is structured around five key strands:
- Academic Seminars
Participants engage in structured learning in curatorial theory, contemporary art history, and critical discourse, building a strong intellectual foundation for curatorial practice. - Skills Training
Practical workshops focus on professional competencies including writing for diverse audiences, public speaking, budgeting, fundraising, and project management. - Network Development
Participants gain access to curators, artists, and cultural professionals through talks, studio visits, gallery visits, museum tours, and international exchanges, helping them build long-term professional networks. - Exhibition-Making Practice
Fellows collaboratively produce exhibitions, publications, and public programmes, gaining hands-on experience in real curatorial production contexts. - Coaching and Mentorship
Each participant receives ongoing mentorship and coaching sessions designed to support both professional development and individual curatorial trajectories.
The programme runs from January to December and is structured to prepare participants for long-term careers in contemporary curating and cultural leadership.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Exhibition-Making
- Arts Administration
- Cultural Programming
- Art Writing
- Museum Studies
- Critical Theory
- Public Programming
Eligibility
- International applicants are not explicitly excluded; however, applicants must be able to participate in a London-based, in-person programme.
- Designed specifically for individuals from structurally disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
- Suitable for emerging curators or individuals at an early stage of curatorial practice.
- No strict age limit is stated, but the programme targets early-career professionals.
- Applicants should demonstrate strong motivation to work in contemporary art and curatorial practice, especially those who have faced barriers in accessing formal curatorial education or networks.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Paid participation at a Real Living Wage for the duration of the programme
- Fully structured one-year curatorial training (January–December)
- Direct mentorship from established curators and arts professionals
- Access to UK and international studio visits, museum visits, and exhibitions
- Hands-on experience producing real exhibitions, publications, and public programmes
- Professional skills training in writing, fundraising, budgeting, and communication
- Extensive networking opportunities with art institutions and practitioners
- Career development support in the contemporary art sector
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV or professional biography
- Portfolio or examples of relevant work (curatorial, writing, research, or artistic practice)
- Personal statement/motivation letter outlining interest in curating and socio-economic context
- Supporting information demonstrating eligibility and commitment to curatorial development
- Any additional materials requested through the official application portal
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 29 May 2026
- Programme Duration: January – December 2027 (full year cohort)
- Programme start: January 2027
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- The programme is highly competitive and focuses strongly on equity and access rather than traditional academic credentials.
- It is explicitly designed to reshape curatorial gatekeeping structures in the contemporary art world.
- Participants are embedded within a professional cultural ecosystem, working closely with practitioners and institutions.
- The programme emphasizes both critical thinking and practical production, ensuring fellows leave with tangible curatorial experience.