Curating.info

- Karen Love (Manager of Curatorial Affairs at Vancouver Art Gallery) has written this excellent primer for emerging curators, the Curatorial Toolkit. (PDF download). It's very interesting to look over the bones of our profession, see what the essential, common sense information that we should be imparting to younger generations is. Especially since, with the proliferation of curatorial studies in academia, there may be an emphasis on theory rather than what I would call craft.

- But, lest you think I am anti-theory, I recently was delighted to see (and blogged a quick announcement about) the launch of the Journal for Curatorial Studies, which will be edited by Jim Drobnick and Jennifer Fisher. The first issue of this journal is forthcoming, but I am certain it is one to watch.

- Last but not least, a little personal note. I was recently being interviewed by some university students who wanted opinions from a curator for an imaginary smartphone app they were developing that would allow curators to "shop" for work, and much more. I daydreamed out loud with them about looking at artist profiles and work, and then being able to organise it like a mind-map, developing my own categories and tags. I have such a ragtag collection of notes (both digital and analogue) on art and artists that I want to file away for later, that some kind of application like this seemed like a wonderful dream. Quite suddenly in the middle of the conversation I realised this was a terrible idea -- if it was all public. "I wouldn't want to share that information," I said, to their mild dismay. I realised that if I added a tag such as "dark" or "poetic" or "layered" to an artist or work, (terms that might be a shorthand for so many other things in my own mind) to the artist, or to others, it might not seem merely simplistic, but actually offensive. It might ruin some of the mystery involved in curatorial choices as well (which was a lesser concern). I ended up blurting out to the students, "you wouldn't want to know how sausage is made, either", but that isn't quite what I meant. I meant something nicer, like you wouldn't want to know how much work it was to erect the Eiffel Tower, or something similar. Maybe that is food for thought for you. What would be your dream digital tool? How much sharing would be involved in this tool -- some, none, a little bit? Do you feel like you are making sausage, or building the Eiffel Tower? All I know is that I would love an app that would intelligently record my mind maps of art and artists as I see them or otherwise encounter them -- if it's totally private, and with a self-destruct button too, perhaps.

The Journal of Curatorial Studies seeks original research articles on the subject of curating and exhibitions, as well as case studies, interviews and reviews of recent books, exhibitions and conferences.

The Journal of Curatorial Studies is a new international, peer-reviewed publication that explores the increasing relevance of curating and its impact on exhibitions, institutions, audiences, aesthetics and display culture. Inviting cross-disciplinary approaches from visual studies, art history, museum studies, critical theory, cultural studies and other academic fields, the journal encompasses a diversity of contributions on curating and exhibitions broadly defined. By catalyzing debate and serving as a venue for the emerging discipline of curatorial studies, this journal encourages the development of the theory, practice and history of curating, as well as the analysis of exhibitions and display culture in general.

Through investigations of current and historical exhibitions, display formats in the art context and cultures at large, individual curators and their oeuvres, and the political and theoretical issues influencing the production of exhibitions, the journal promotes a wide-ranging inquiry into what constitutes “the curatorial.” While curating as a spatialized discourse of art objects remains important, in the current era organizing an exhibition involves a much more complex set of critical practices and self-reflexive methodologies that can have effects both locally and globally. This expanded cultural function of curating generates not only exhibitions for audiences to view, but also queries the nature of aesthetic experience, the authority of institutions, the formation of ideology, and the construction of knowledge. The readership of the Journal of Curatorial Studies includes scholars in curatorial studies, art history and museum studies, along with gallery and museum professionals, independent curators and art critics, and cultural theorists interested in art and display.

All submissions should be in English and adhere to the Intellect Style Guide. Please send submissions and correspondence to:

Jim Drobnick, Editor
Associate Professor, Ontario College of Art & Design
jim -at- displaycult.com

Jennifer Fisher, Editor
Associate Professor, York University
jefish -at- yorku.ca

Journal of Curatorial Studies
372 Sackville Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4X 1S5
(001) (416) 515-0177 (tel/fax)

ADMISSION

Research Program runs from the beginning of September to the end of March. There is a place for 5 - 10 participants of artists, and for a few other of curatorial study.

CONDITION FOR THE ADMISSION

ARTIST - Artist in his/her 20's - 30's. Fluent in English or Japanese (preferably both languages)
CURATORIAL STUDY - Person who is in his/her 20's - 30's. Work experience in contemporary art or majored in art/art history. Fluent in English(Speaking, reading and writing)

LANGUAGE

The official working languages of CCA Kitakyushu are Japanese and English. Most of the staff, professors/lecturers speak English. The participants have to be fluent in English, and are also expected to speak enough Japanese in everyday life.

SELECTION

FIRST STAGE EXAMINATION: International committee operates the first selection on the basis of the candidates' application form and materials.
SECOND STAGE (FINAL) EXAMINATION: Interview
- The interview is usually executed about one month after the deadline for the application form (the deadline is stated in the form).
- Selected candidates are notified the schedule of the interview.
- The results are announced by the same procedure in each stage.
- CCA Kitakyushu does not accept telephone inquiries regarding the result.

THE TUITION, SCHOLARSHIP, LIFE IN KITAKYUSHU AND OTHERS

THE TUITION: 360,000 Japanese Yen (including fee for the program, use of individual studio, the access to the facilities
THE SCHOLARSHIP: The participants can apply for CCA scholarship, that will be confirmed in the interview. Besides it, foreign students are advised to have a grant from their own country.
THE LIVING COST: Expected living cost in Kitakyushu is about 60,000 - 80,000 yen par month. It may be possible to offer an apartment with reasonable rent.

For further information:

Research Program CCA Kitakyushu
CCA Kitakyushu
2-6-1 3F Ogura Yahata-Higashi-ku
Kitakyushu 805-0059
JapanPhone +81 93 663 1615
Fax + 81 93 663 1610
e-mail [email protected]

Ikon, one of the UK's leading international contemporary art galleries, seeks a dynamic and creative individual for the post of Curator. They will work with the Director to initiate and deliver an ambitious exhibition programme at the gallery and off-site. The successful candidate will have at least 5 years experience working within an international contemporary visual art context, have considerable experience of writing and publishing, will be audience focused and will be interested in supporting the development of visual artists locally, nationally and internationally.

The post is offered on a full time permanent basis.

Deadline for applications: Monday 10 January 2011

Interviews: Monday 31 January 2011

Salary: £30,345 - £33,054

For further details and to download an application please visit http://www.ikon-gallery.co.uk/vacancies or contact Ikon on 0121 248 0708

Ikon Gallery is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

Registered charity no. 528892. Ikon is funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.

Artistic Director and Curator
Video Pool Inc., Video Pool Media Arts Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Permanent Full-time, 35 hours/week
Reports to: Video Pool's Board of Directors

Video Pool is a non-profit Artist-Run Centre founded in 1983 by a group of interdisciplinary artists. It has grown into a model multidisciplinary environment for experimental art practice and research, the production, exhibition and distribution of independent video, audio and computer integrated multimedia production, with a staff of ten plus interns and volunteers. Video Pool supports Video Art production, Experimental Video and Sound, Installation, Video and Sound Art Production Funds, Community Outreach and Poolside Magazine.

Video Pool maintains one of the most extensive archives of video art in Canada and distributes members' work locally, nationally and internationally through video and film festivals, universities, and broadcast. The organization educates through workshops, lectures, symposiums, screenings and festivals, and has outreach partnerships with diverse community groups.

Video Pool Media Arts Centre seeks an outstanding, highly motivated arts professional for the role of Director/Curator.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director/Curator will:

- Establish and oversee Video Pool's artistic and curatorial vision, writing curatorial statements and engaging in research and analysis for publications, essays, and catalogues.
- Curate national and international traveling exhibitions (produced by Video Pool or as co-productions with other centres).
- Establish a gallery presence for Video Pool
- Expand exhibitions in developing fields such as Biotech Arts, Robotic Arts, Nano Arts, and Consciousness Research.
- Curate Video Pool's archive of video and sound artworks to ensure a vital research database.
- Ensure the maintenance of current and historical records and archives.
- Provide curatorial expertise to other galleries, curators and researchers in media studies.
- Engage in research and analysis of publications, essays, catalogues, and newsletters.
- Organize public conferences concerning emerging issues on the production, dissemination and understanding of media art.
- Initiate and curate a New Media Art Festival.
- Provide expertise to others in the fields of media technologies.
- Oversee Video Pool's staff and the organization's day-to-day activities.
- Maintain a fiscally strong and viable organization by securing grants from arts councils and arts foundations as well as developing and implementing creative and innovative fundraising initiatives.
- Effectively manage and balance the budget.
- Prepare an annual budget for approval by the Board.
- Develop and implement strategic and business plans.
- Direct the organization's community outreach programs, specifically developing opportunities for aboriginal, recent immigrant and other under-represented groups.
- Liaise with local, national and international educational institutions.
- Advocate and lobby to the public, other arts and cultural organizations and all funding agencies locally, nationally and internationally.

Our chosen candidate will have:

- University Degree in Art or Art History.
- Five years or more experience as a director of recognized artist run centres.
- Extensive research background in the areas of new media, communications technologies, electronic culture and related fields
- Extensive publications in scholarly journals and other venues.
- Participation in national and international symposiums, lectures and workshops on contemporary developments in media arts and new communications technologies.
- Experience managing artist run centre budgets over $500,000.
- Experience in strategic planning, business planning and policy development.
- Proven abilities and success in the area of grant writing.
- Experience as council member of arts funding agency and/or experience as board member in non-profit artist-run centres, or other arts and cultural organizations. Curatorial specialty in contemporary media art and coming developments in the field.
- Strong networking skills
- Extensive international connections.
- Proven success in fundraising.

A competitive benefits package is available after a six months probation period is complete.

Video Pool, inc. is committed to the principles of Employment Equity and encourages applications from Aboriginal persons, members of a visible minority group or persons with a disability.

Applications are required to include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, three references and evidence of artistic practice or curatorial writing.

Email submissions preferred.

Send to: Hiring Committee (Re: Artistic Director and Curator's Position)
Video Pool Media Arts Centre
300-100 Arthur Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3 Canada
(204) 949-9134 ext 5
vpadmin -at- videopool.org

The ICI Berlin announces five 10-months fellowships for the 2011-12 focus Multistable Figures and Complementarity of the core project Tension/Spannung.

Since September 2010, the ICI Berlin has taken multistable figures – Kippbilder – as point of departure for exploring further the topic of its current core project Tension/Spannung. These images not only continue to fascinate cognitive scientists as a form of optical illusions, but they also function as models for probing complex epistemological, aesthetic and ethical tensions.

For 2011-12, the focus is Multistable Figures and Complementarity. The presence of complementary aspects in multistable figures provides an attractive model for the coexistence of different disciplines, systems, discourses, and cultures. At the same time, complementarity is a complex notion that can be understood and function in various ways, capable also of promoting both indifference and conflict. By exploring different ways in which multistable figures and relations of complementarity may function, the ICI Berlin seeks to reflect upon the possibilities and limits of bringing diverse cultures and discourses into productive confrontation beyond indifferent coexistence and violent conflict.

The ICI Berlin invites scholars from all disciplines to link their individual projects to the topic of Tension/Spannung and engage in a joint exploration of the focus Multistable Figures and Complementarity with other fellows at the Institute. We especially welcome applications from individuals who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in scholarly research.

The productive exchange between fellows is a central aim of the Institute. Applicants should be interested in a theoretical reflection upon the conceptual and intellectual basis of their projects and in discussing it with fellows from other disciplines. In particular, fellows will be expected to participate in the weekly colloquia, bi-weekly informal meetings, and other activities of the Institute and to be resident in Berlin for the duration of the fellowship.

The fellowships announced are for the academic year 2011-12 (19 September – 8 July). Depending on the degree held, stipends range from EUR 1350 to 1750 per month. There is no age limit, but applicants must have received an academic degree within ten years of the date of appointment.

Interested applicants should consult the application instructions and send their application by e-mail only to the address indicated there. Please note that the ICI Berlin has temporarily suspended fellowships for artistic projects.

For information and the application forms, please visit the ICI Berlin website.

Application deadline: 14 January 2011.

About ICI Berlin: The Berlin Institute for Cultural Inquiry is an independent centre for research and culture dedicated to exploring how diverse cultures can be brought into productive rather than pernicious confrontation. It takes 'culture' in a broad sense to include cultures associated with different identities (such as age, class, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexuality), spaces (such as city, internet, work) or discourses (such as art, economics, law, media, politics, science). It understands 'culture' as a contested and problematic notion and remains open to its various meanings in relation to other terms (such as implicit knowledge, nature, signifying practice, structure of feeling, ways of life).

Gyeonggi Creation Center supports creative work and research for domestic and foreign artists and curators through an art residency alongside a wide range of programs and facilities. GCC acts as a platform to gather artists and curators from all over the world for international exchange and as an experimental and progressive contemporary art center to collectively engage and cultivate synergy among artists of various genres.

For the 2011 Residency Studio Program, GCC will accept applications from artists and curators working in visual and media arts.

Eligibility

- Domestic and foreign artists in visual and media arts, curators
- No limitation of age, nationality, or gender
- Artists who will be able to participate during their own residency session

Session: March 2011 – February 2012

- Long term residency: 1 year (Domestic and foreign artists)- 8 artists, curators
- Short term residency: 3, 6 months- 2010.03-05/06-08/09-11/12-2012.02 (Select 1 period).Applicants for Local Collaboration Program should apply June to August session. Check the details from our website. 30-40 artists, curators

Program 2: Research Residency Program: Independent and alternative space curators
Application Requirements

- Independent and alternative space curators
- Curators who are able to participate during their own residency session
- No limitation of age, nationality, or gender
- Individual Curator, team collaboration both available.

GCC Provides

- Private Studio and Living quarters (Foreign curators)
- Stipend (500,000/month) for living expenses (Domestic/Foreign curators)
- Airfare for foreign residents
- Research residents get supported with prescribed amount of exhibition and publication
- Further information will be discussed after final selection with curatorial team.

Materials for application

- Application form (Download)
- CV or resumé
- A project description of intended activity during the residency
- Portfolio/Work samples (CD/DVD) : maximum 20 images or 5 minutes of video (*.jpg, *.ppt, avi, .mov, *wmv)
- Copy of passport or I.D Certificate
- All materials for application will not be returned.

Note: GCC allows a partner of residents by discussion before registration. GCC does not allow pets and children.

Application Procedure

- Please download the Application form and send your application to our email first. Send 1 copy of your application with additional materials to GCC by following the guidelines noted in the Application Outline.
- Submission Period: November 15 – December 17, 2010
- Application can be delivered directly or post to, Gyeonggi Creation Center, 400-3 Seongam-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do (425-310) Korea
- Applications must be postmarked by December 17, 2010

Selection Procedure

- All applications will be evaluated by the selection committee comprising of art professionals.
- Pre-selection by paper screening / Main selection by interview
- For foreign applicants interview is optional.

Notification

January 15, 2011 (Notification date to be determined). The selected list will be posted at the website of Gyeonggi Creation Center: www.gyeonggicreationcenter.org

Contact

Phone: 82.32.890.4820/4825
Email: gcc.infomail -at- gmail.com
Address: Gyeonggi Creation Center
400-3 Seongam-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
(425-310) Korea

www.gyeonggicreationcenter.org

Twitter: @Creation_center
Facebook: Creation-center Gyeonggi

Job title: Programme Fellow: Curator/Arts Writer
Company and Location: Deveron Arts, Huntly in partnership with Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen

Job description: Deveron Arts and Peacock Visual Arts are offering a six-month fellowship to an arts professionals of minority ethnic background. The Fellows will contribute significantly to the curatorial and programming activities which include supporting artistic practice through an integrated programme of exhibitions, events, creative projects and public engagement. Please download the full application pack on www.deveron-arts.com.

Salary - scale £28,000 per annum

Deadline for Applications: 8 December 2010, 5pm (interviews will be held on the 15 December 2010)

Contact details: Claudia Zeiske, The Director, Deveron Arts, The Studio, Brander Building, Huntly, AB54 8BR, Tel: 01466 794494 Email: info -at- deveron-arts.com

Website address: for further information please visit www.deveron-arts.com