Organizer Information
Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte is an Italian cultural institution founded in 1998 by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto in Biella, Italy. Its work explores the relationship between art, society, sustainability, and responsible social transformation. Its UNIDEE Residency Programs, established in 1999, have hosted thousands of artists and cultural professionals from 52 countries. The programme promotes interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and artistic practices that engage with social, cultural, ecological, geopolitical, and technological challenges.
Title & Description
Visiting Research Curator of UNIDEE Residency Programs 2027/2028
Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte and UNIDEE Residency Programs are seeking a Visiting Research Curator to shape the research arc of the UNIDEE Residency Modules for the 2027–2028 cycle. The curator will develop an overarching curatorial and research proposal and guide a series of weekly residential modules.
The selected curator will bring an independent field of inquiry into dialogue with UNIDEE's established commitment to “Art for a Responsible Social Transformation.” The proposed research may address socially engaged and expanded artistic practices, research-based and process-oriented approaches, cultural work, artistic archives, and responses to ecological, geopolitical, and technological challenges.
The Role Overview
- Position: Visiting Research Curator
- Programme: UNIDEE Residency Programs / UNIDEE Residency Modules
- Contract: Temporary appointment
- Duration: November 2026–December 2028
- Minimum workload: 8 residency modules per year
- Compensation: From €22,000 gross, depending on professional experience
- Travel & hospitality: Excluded from the stated compensation
- Reporting/coordination: Works in agreement with the UNIDEE Advisory Board, Cittadellarte Director, and UNIDEE team.
Position & Tasks
The curator will define the overall research and curatorial direction; design and plan residency modules; identify mentors and guests; write the curatorial statement and resident open call; help disseminate the call; select residents; prepare participants and mentors; and facilitate workshops, presentations, discussions, critiques, visits, and one-to-one sessions.
Additional responsibilities include documenting and evaluating the programme, producing publications, supervising website and journal content, developing dissemination strategies, contributing to conferences and journals, supporting international partnerships, and collaborating with the Unidee Academy of Contemporary Arts and Cittadellarte's Learning Environments.
The curator must spend at least one month at Cittadellarte for research and programme development and be present throughout each residency module.
Categories
- Curating
- Contemporary Art
- Socially Engaged Art
- Artistic Research
- Interdisciplinary Practice
- Cultural Work
- Education
- Research & Dissemination
Eligibility
- Experience in Art in the Public Sphere and Socially Engaged Art
- Specialised knowledge of international contemporary art
- Experience designing or conducting innovative, experimental, experiential, and collaborative educational activities
- Experience with artistic research and research dissemination
- An interest in aligning with Cittadellarte's vision
- Excellent English-language skills
Italian is not essential but is welcomed. The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the programme's international reach and develop collaborations beyond Europe.
Program Benefits
The selected curator receives a professional appointment with compensation starting at €22,000 gross. The role provides the opportunity to shape an international contemporary-art residency programme, work with artists and cultural professionals, develop collaborations with mentors and institutions, engage with Cittadellarte's extensive research networks and archive, and contribute to publications, conferences, and artistic-research dissemination.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 13 September 2026
- Shortlisted interviews: By mid-October 2026
- Selected candidate announced: A few days after interviews
- Appointment: November 2026–December 2028
- Residency modules: Minimum 8 modules per year
Location
Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte, Biella, Italy
Additional Details
The successful candidate should propose a clearly defined research trajectory rather than simply adopt a predetermined theme. The proposal should contribute meaningfully to Cittadellarte's research and Michelangelo Pistoletto's vision while bringing a distinct perspective to current ecological, geopolitical, and technological challenges.