Organizer Information
IMPAKT is a leading Dutch organization dedicated to media art, digital culture, and critical discussions surrounding technology and society. Based in Utrecht, the organization has built an international reputation through exhibitions, festivals, conferences, educational initiatives, publications, and research projects that explore the impact of digital technologies on contemporary culture. For more than three decades, IMPAKT has served as a platform connecting artists, curators, researchers, technologists, and cultural practitioners working at the intersection of art and emerging technologies. Through its extensive archive, public programming, and professional development initiatives, IMPAKT supports critical engagement with media culture while fostering new generations of curators and cultural producers. The Full Spectrum Curatorship Programme is one of its flagship professional development opportunities, designed to support emerging curators in developing ambitious curatorial projects within the fields of media art, digital culture, and contemporary art.
Title & Description
Full Spectrum Curatorship Programme 2026
The Full Spectrum Curatorship Programme is an intensive professional development and mentorship opportunity for emerging and aspiring curators interested in media art, digital culture, and the relationship between technology and contemporary society.
Organized by IMPAKT in Utrecht, the Netherlands, the programme aims to bridge the gap between curatorial theory and professional practice. Participants will develop their own curatorial project proposal under the guidance of internationally recognized mentors while gaining practical knowledge about organizing exhibitions and cultural programs related to media art and technological culture.
The fourth edition of the programme will take place from September to December 2026 and combines collective learning sessions, one-on-one mentorship, guest lectures, peer exchange, and project development workshops. Participants will explore topics including curatorial methodologies, media art history, audience engagement, critical contextualization, exhibition planning, budgeting, funding strategies, production logistics, and presentation formats.
A particular emphasis is placed on time-based media, digital culture, interactive artworks, and technologically driven artistic practices. By the end of the programme, participants will have developed a comprehensive curatorial proposal that can be used for future exhibitions, funding applications, institutional collaborations, or independent curatorial projects.
The programme offers direct access to leading professionals in the field and creates an environment for experimentation, critical dialogue, and professional networking among an international cohort of emerging curators.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Media Art
- Contemporary Art
- Digital Art
- New Media Art
- Audiovisual Arts
- Video Art
- Time-Based Media
- Interactive Art
- Technology and Art
- Cultural Production
- Art Management
- Research-Based Practices
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Critical Theory and Cultural Studies
Eligibility
Applications are open to:
- International applicants
- Recent graduates
- Aspiring curators
- Emerging curators
- Early-career curators
- Mid-career curators seeking specialization in media arts
- Cultural practitioners interested in curatorial work
- Researchers and professionals working in media culture
Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in:
- Media arts
- Digital culture
- Contemporary art
- Technology and society
- Curatorial practice
All programme activities will be conducted in English, and participants are expected to actively engage in all scheduled sessions.
Participants must be available for the entire programme duration and commit approximately 8 hours per week for meetings, research, preparation, and independent project development.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected participants will receive:
Professional Mentorship
- Individual mentorship from internationally recognized curators.
- Three dedicated mentor sessions during the programme.
- Personalized feedback on curatorial concepts and project development.
Educational Training
- Curatorial methodologies
- Exhibition planning
- Media art history
- Audience engagement
- Project management
- Budgeting and fundraising
- Production logistics
- Contemporary digital culture
Networking Opportunities
- Access to an international cohort of fellow curators.
- Peer-learning sessions and collaborative discussions.
- Guest talks by experienced cultural professionals.
- Connections with leading media art practitioners and institutions.
Financial Support
- Participants receive an €800 stipend during the final phase of the programme to support the preparation of their curatorial project proposal.
Professional Development
- Completion of a fully developed curatorial proposal.
- Enhanced portfolio and professional profile.
- Preparation for future exhibitions, grants, fellowships, and institutional collaborations.
Mentor Faculty
- Annet Dekker
- Bart Rutten
- Ine Gevers
- Paulien Dresscher
- Doreen A. Ríos (online)
- Eva Fischer (online)
Application Fee
The participation fee for the programme is €400 per participant
This fee covers participation in all sessions, mentorship activities, guest lectures, and programme resources.
Participants selected for the programme will later receive an €800 stipend to support the development of their final project proposal.
Application Requirements
- Online Application Form
- Project Proposal (Maximum 2 Pages)
- Clear conceptual statement
- Curatorial approach
- Personal motivation and interest
- Historical context of the topic
- Social relevance of the project
- Potential artists or contributors (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume (Maximum 2 Pages)
- Professional experience
- Academic background
- Curatorial projects
- Exhibition experience
- Links to previous work or projects
- Evaluation Criteria
- Motivation
- Relevance to professional goals
- Interest in media arts
- Quality and clarity of the project proposal
- Critical engagement with the chosen topic
- Originality of perspective and approach
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 July 2026
- Expected Notification of Results: 16 July 2026
- Introductory Session: 29 August 2026
- International Mentor Presentations: 1 September 2026
- Netherlands-Based Mentor Presentations: 5 September 2026
- Programme Duration: September–December 2026
- Group Project Session #1: 24 October 2026
- Practicalities & Production Session: 31 October 2026
- Funding & Budgeting Session: 7 November 2026
- Group Project Session #2: 21 November 2026
- Final Presentations #1: 10 December 2026
- Final Presentations #2: 11 December 2026
- Final Presentations #3: 12 December 2026
Location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Additional Details
- Only 12 participants will be selected.
- The programme requires a minimum commitment of 8 hours per week.
- Attendance at all collective sessions is expected.
- Mentor meetings will be scheduled individually.
- Two additional guest talks will be announced during the programme.
- The schedule may be subject to minor adjustments.
- Participants will join an international peer network of emerging curators.
- The final curatorial proposal can serve as the basis for future exhibitions, funding applications, and professional collaborations.
- The programme places a strong emphasis on media art, digital culture, technological change, and critical contemporary discourse.
- Previous editions of the programme have supported participants in developing independent curatorial practices and expanding their professional networks within the international art world.