Short Description
The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation, a Frankfurt-based charitable organization dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and promoting contemporary photography, has announced a new two-year Curatorial Fellowship for mid-career curators. The programme aims to expand the Foundation’s portfolio by strengthening support for curatorial practice and fostering international dialogue around the medium.
The Fellowship offers curators the opportunity to co-curate and realise an exhibition project in partnership with the Foundation, while also contributing to the development of its growing collection of over 2,400 works by 170 international artists. Designed to advance the research-led practice and professional growth of mid-career curators, the programme encourages fluid exchange of ideas and new perspectives across genres and geographies.
Eligibility
- Mid-career curator with at least 4 years of professional experience in curating contemporary
photography exhibitions in museums, galleries or cultural institutions with strong conceptual
thinking and the ability to develop thematic curatorial frameworks. Previous professional experience
working with a collection is desired, but not essential. - We are particularly interested in candidates who bring diverse perspectives and can contribute to
expanding the collection’s scope and representation significantly. - We are looking for candidates who are flexible, enthusiastic and have strong communication skills.
They should be willing to engage regularly with the Foundation team, be open-minded, committed
to collaborative working and curious about the organisation’s mission and collection. - Candidates should be fluent in English (spoken and written) and open to remote collaboration
(including online meetings, on average every two months) and occasional travel. Required travel will
be mutually agreed but expected to entail no more than 2 – 4 short visits of up to 4 days per year,
including for exhibition opening and installation.
Submission Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV; no more than 2 pages) and a one-page Motivation Letter outlining their
interest in the programme and relevant experience. - Writing sample or excerpt (PDF; no more than 2 – 4 pages) or link to online article (optional).
- A brief initial Project Proposal Outline (approx. 350 – 500 words) for an exhibition concept based
on works from the Art Collection Deutsche Börse, optionally including ideas for complementary
artistic positions (e.g. new acquisitions). - Criteria: relevance, impact and originality of the proposed project; demonstrated curatorial
experience and expertise; feasibility of the project within the fellowship duration; innovative
engagement with the collection; commitment to public engagement and knowledge sharing.
How to Apply
Please email your application as a PDF file (download link if documents exceed 10mb) to
foundation@deutsche-boerse.com with the subject line “Curatorial Fellowship”.
Program Benefits & Awards
- The Fellowship will start in spring 2026 and run for two years until 2028.
- Year 1: following initial curatorial research, exchange and consultation, specific themes are
established, and a detailed exhibition concept & acquisition proposal is presented to the Foundation
team. - Year 2: following the purchase of new works and considerations regarding loans, an essay to
accompany the exhibition (approx. 1,000 to 1,500 words) is written, and the curation, installation, and opening of the exhibition in Eschborn and one other cultural institution are realised. - Stipend: remuneration of 10.000 Euros for both years, plus full coverage of travel costs.
Curatorial Fellowship expected outcomes:
- Developing an exhibition concept, including 6 – 10 potential acquisition proposals
- Writing a curatorial introduction essay to accompany the exhibition(s)
- Installing & opening the exhibitions, including up to two public engagement talks
Entry Fee
None
Location
Frankfurt, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 31 December 2025
Website Link: https://www.deutscheboersephotographyfoundation.org/en/support/curatorialpractice.php
