Organizer Information
The Middlebrook Prize for Young Canadian Curators is hosted and administered by the Art Gallery of Guelph (AGG), a public art gallery located in Guelph, Ontario. The AGG is dedicated to presenting contemporary and historical art, with a strong emphasis on fostering creative inquiry, public engagement, and social innovation. The prize is made possible through the generous support of the Centre Wellington Community Foundation’s Middlebrook Social Innovation Fund, and it was previously supported by additional partners, including the Guelph Community Foundation’s Musagetes Fund.
Title & Description
Middlebrook Prize for Young Canadian Curators
Founded in 2012, this annual prize is awarded to an emerging Canadian curator under 30 years of age. It aims to foster social innovation and curatorial excellence in Canada by supporting and mobilizing creative talent to inspire positive social change through creativity amid ongoing economic, environmental, social, and cultural challenges. The winner develops and presents an original exhibition proposal focused on contemporary Canadian art, emphasizing artistic quality, conceptual strength, audience engagement, community relevance, and social impact. The successful project is realized as part of the Art Gallery of Guelph’s Fall exhibition season, with mentorship provided to guide its development.
Categories
Curatorial Practice / Exhibition Curation (focused on contemporary Canadian art; no restriction to specific media or disciplines within visual/contemporary art).
Eligibility
Open to emerging Canadian curators (Canadian citizens or non-Canadians currently living and working in Canada). Applicants must be under 30 years of age by December 31, 2026 (proof of age required upon winning). If awarded to a non-Canadian, the winner must reside in Canada for the full prize term (March 1 through December 31, 2026). Strongly encourages applications from individuals who identify as Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, and persons living with disabilities. No prior professional experience level is strictly required beyond emerging status.
Program Benefits & Awards
- $5,000 honorarium
- Mentorship from the AGG curatorial team and jury members in developing the exhibition
- Opportunity to curate and present a full exhibition at the Art Gallery of Guelph as part of the Fall 2026 season (September–December 2026)
- Exhibition budget support up to $10,000 (covering artist fees per CARFAC schedule, shipping, installation needs, travel/accommodation, etc.)
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Letter of introduction articulating curatorial values/philosophy and what the prize means as a career opportunity
- Two-page exhibition proposal (including curatorial statement, list of artists/artworks with justification, and description of potential outreach programming)
- Exhibition budget (up to $10,000, detailing artist fees, shipping, special equipment, installation needs, and travel/accommodation)
- One sample of critical writing (curatorial essay, published article, or review)
- Current CV (maximum 3 pages)
- Support images (maximum 10 total): 5 supporting the proposed exhibition + 5 documenting past curatorial work, with full descriptions (artist, title, date, medium, dimensions)
- Proposed floor plan/layout for the gallery space (floor plan downloadable from the AGG website)
How to Apply?
Submit the complete application as a single PDF via email to info@artgalleryofguelph.ca with the subject line: “Middlebrook Prize”.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2026
- Award Presentation: March 2026
- Exhibition Period: September – December 2026
Location
Art Gallery of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Additional Details
Proposals are judged primarily on the artistic quality and conceptual strength of the proposed exhibition. The winner is selected by a jury of prominent arts leaders (e.g., for 2026: Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Lillian O’Brien Davis, and Sandy Saad-Smith). For more on past winners and exhibitions, visit www.middlebrookprize.ca. This opportunity provides a significant career-building platform for emerging curators, with the realized exhibition serving as a professional milestone.