Organizer Information
NARS Foundation (New York Art Residency and Studios) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization based in Brooklyn, New York. Operating on an international level, NARS supports artists and curators through its International Residency Program, dynamic exhibition platforms, and public programs that foster dialogue between global practitioners and the local community.
The organization is particularly committed to increasing access to contemporary art in underserved communities in South Brooklyn while simultaneously creating a space for critical exchange among artists from diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds. By integrating residency programming with exhibitions and community outreach, NARS cultivates cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative curatorial experimentation.
The Curatorial Fellowship runs in direct conjunction with the International Residency Program, offering a hands-on, immersive experience for emerging curators to develop exhibitions and engage in meaningful studio dialogue with international artists.
Title & Description
Curatorial Fellowship 2026 (Season III & IV, July – December 2026)
The NARS Curatorial Fellowship is a six-month professional development opportunity designed for emerging curators based in New York City. The Fellow will work closely with two consecutive cohorts of artists participating in the International Residency Program and develop cohesive group exhibitions for the NARS Main Gallery.
Each residency season spans three months, and the Fellow will curate and oversee an exhibition presented during the final month of each cohort. Responsibilities include conducting studio visits, shaping a unified curatorial framework that brings together works from multidisciplinary artists-in-residence, and composing a press release for each exhibition.
This fellowship is structured as an experiential curatorial laboratory: Fellows will engage in ongoing dialogue with artists, refine conceptual strategies, and navigate the logistical and intellectual dimensions of exhibition-making. The program encourages curators to cultivate cross-cultural awareness, critical discourse, and innovative exhibition models.
Curatorial Fellows are expected to be physically present at NARS studios and offices for a minimum of two days per week throughout the fellowship period.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Multidisciplinary Visual Arts
- Exhibition Development
- Arts Administration
Eligibility
- Open to curators of all ages, genders, and nationalities.
- Applicants must currently reside in New York City and have lived in NYC for at least three years.
- Emerging curators are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Applicants must not be enrolled in a college or university art degree-granting program during the fellowship period (July–December 2026).
Finalists will be interviewed by the NARS Program Manager and Program Director.
Program Benefits & Awards
- $3,000 stipend for the six-month fellowship period.
- Direct collaboration with two cohorts of international artists.
- Opportunity to curate two exhibitions in the NARS Main Gallery.
- Professional development through hands-on exhibition planning and artist mentorship.
- Press writing and public engagement experience.
- Institutional visibility within the Brooklyn and Greater New York contemporary art ecosystem.
This fellowship offers substantial experiential learning, portfolio-building exhibition credits, and expanded professional networks within an established nonprofit arts institution.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Contact Information
- Curatorial Resume / CV (PDF or Word format)
- Statement of Interest describing motivation for the fellowship and engagement with the International Residency Artists
- Up to 10 Work Samples (images, text, audio, or video)
- Images must be in JPEG format
- Maximum size: 1000 x 1000 pixels @ 72 dpi
- File naming format: “LastName_FirstName_1.jpg,” etc.
- Work Sample Information List (contextual and/or technical details for submitted works)
Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 March 2026
- Fellowship Period: July – December 2026
- Two Residency Seasons:
- Season III: July – September 2026
- Season IV: October – December 2026
- Exhibitions take place during the final month of each residency season
- Finalists will be notified and invited for an interview prior to selection
(Exact application deadline should be confirmed via the official website.)
Location
Brooklyn, New York City, United States (in-person fellowship).
Additional Details
The Curatorial Fellowship is designed as an immersive, practice-based opportunity rather than a purely research-driven program. Fellows are expected to maintain consistent on-site engagement, emphasizing collaborative curatorial processes and active participation in studio visits and exhibition development.
The fellowship complements the International Residency Program by amplifying diverse artistic voices and fostering new curatorial perspectives. It is particularly well-suited for early-career curators seeking institutional experience, practical exhibition credits, and expanded professional networks within the New York art scene.