Organizer Information
Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a not-for-profit public institution located in Sanjaynagar, Bengaluru, India. It works at the intersection of science, art, and society, creating opportunities for research-based engagement through exhibitions, public programmes, mentorship initiatives, and its Public Lab Complex. The institution was established with the founding support of the Government of Karnataka and academic partners, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS).
SGB brings together artists, scientists, researchers, and cultural practitioners to explore complex ideas through interdisciplinary collaboration. Its exhibition seasons encourage new ways of connecting scientific research with artistic practice and public engagement. The QUANTUM Curatorial Fellowship is part of this approach, offering an emerging practitioner the opportunity to develop an exhibition with institutional support and sustained mentorship.
Title & Description
QUANTUM Curatorial Fellowship 2026
QUANTUM Curatorial Fellowship 2026 invites emerging curators and interdisciplinary practitioners to develop a companion exhibition responding to QUANTUM, Science Gallery Bengaluru's exhibition season exploring quantum physics and its connections to knowledge, technology, matter, and reality.
The fellowship asks applicants to consider questions surrounding observation, measurement, uncertainty, probability, and the possibilities that remain unseen. Proposals may investigate the history of scientific discovery, computation and information, quantum technologies, or relationships between quantum physics and other forms of knowledge and creative practice.
The selected fellow will develop a curatorial proposition through research, dialogue, and collaboration. The exhibition may incorporate existing artworks, research materials, archives, and artistic practices, or include newly commissioned artworks. The project will culminate in a public exhibition at Science Gallery Bengaluru, accompanied by a public programme.
This opportunity is particularly suited to practitioners who are developing their curatorial approach and want to explore connections between art, science, and interdisciplinary research. Applicants are not required to have an extensive curatorial career, but should demonstrate relevant experience, projects, or an ability to develop ideas through research and collaboration.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Visual Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Science and Art
- Exhibition Development
- Research-Based Artistic Practice
- Installation Art
- Public Engagement and Cultural Programming
Eligibility
This is a national opportunity, not an internationally open call. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality and residence: Indian nationality and currently based in India.
- Eligible applicants: Emerging curators and curatorial collectives. Artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners with interdisciplinary practices are also eligible.
- Experience: Extensive prior curatorial experience is not mandatory. Applicants should demonstrate relevant projects, research, artistic practice, or experience developing ideas through collaboration.
- Proposal requirements: Applicants must present a clear, feasible curatorial concept that meaningfully engages with QUANTUM and can be developed within the available resources and timeline.
- Age limit: No specific age restriction is stated in the official call.
International applicants who do not meet the nationality and residency requirements are not eligible.
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected fellow will receive financial support, mentorship, research access, and the opportunity to develop a public exhibition.
- Curatorial fee: ₹60,000.
- Production budget: Up to ₹2,00,000 for artist fees, commissions, fabrication, materials, and other exhibition production requirements.
- Mentorship: Guidance from interdisciplinary artist Moonis Ahmad Shah, including conceptual dialogue, feedback, and discussion throughout the curatorial development process.
- Research access: Access to the QUANTUM exhibition, relevant research materials, and opportunities to engage with participating artists and researchers.
- Institutional collaboration: Work with Science Gallery Bengaluru's curatorial and programmes teams, as well as relevant researchers and subject experts where appropriate.
- Exhibition opportunity: Present a companion exhibition in a designated gallery space at Science Gallery Bengaluru.
- Public programme: Develop an accompanying public programme connected to the exhibition's curatorial concept.
The production budget is separate from the stated curatorial fee. The official call does not specify a separate travel or accommodation allowance.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 27 October 2026
- Interviews: 6–7 November 2026
- Fellowship period: November 2026 – March 2027
- Production and installation: April – June 2027
- Exhibition showcase: 5 June – 7 August 2027
Location
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Additional Details
The QUANTUM Curatorial Fellowship is designed for practitioners interested in developing an interdisciplinary exhibition rather than simply presenting a standalone artwork. Strong proposals should demonstrate a clear curatorial perspective, meaningful engagement with the exhibition's scientific and conceptual themes, collaborative potential, and feasibility within the available budget and schedule.
Proposals may bring together existing artworks, archives, research, and artistic practices, with the possibility of commissioning new work. Applicants should explain how their ideas connect quantum physics with other forms of knowledge and practice, while remaining open to research and dialogue during the fellowship.
The selected fellow will work toward an exhibition accompanied by a public programme, with production and installation taking place between April and June 2027.