Opportunity: De Appel Curatorial Programme

This focus culminates in a 'site-specific' curatorial assignment: the participants of the course are invited to investigate a specific area (in 2006/2007 this was the Amsterdam suburb de Bijlmermeer and in 2007/2008 the satellite city Leidsche Rijn near Utrecht) and realise a project that relates to this site in a direct or indirect way. Through inviting the participants to work 'off-site' de Appel challenges the curators to reflect upon the current status and issues of art in (sub)urban public space and to reflect upon the different ways in which art functions in processes of urban renewal/generation. Throughout the process the relationship with the 'mother institution' is maintained while at the same time being interrogated.

The following parts of the programme are considered to be of vital importance:

- the opportunity to research theoretical issues and developments in regular sessions with a tutorial team consisting e.g. of de Appel director Ann Demeester (BE/NL), curator Annie Fletcher (IR/NL), visual artist Steve McQueen (GB/NL), writer and curator Elena Filipovic (US/BE), curator Dieter Roelstraete (BE), independent researcher/curator Lisette Smits (NL) and philosopher/curator Henk Slager (NL).

- the opportunity to meet a large number of artists, curators, critics and other professionals from the Netherlands and abroad in a very condensed period of time, and having the chance to exchange ideas with them, either during thematic seminars or during informal encounters. Guest teachers in 2007 were e.g. Carlos Basualdo (US), Gerardo Mosquera (CU/US), Paul O'Neill (GB), Jacques Rancière (FR), Simon Sheikh (SE) and Pier Luigi Tazzi (IT).

- the opportunity to get acquainted with de Appel from 'the inside', and get a better insight into the mechanisms and governing principles of a contemporary institution for visual arts.

- the possibility to make a long trip outside of Western Europe and a minimum of 7 excursions within Europe.

REQUIREMENTS:

- A letter of motivation in which your personal drive is stated and what you expect from the programme.
- A proposal for a show (5-15 pages), including: concept and location of the show (main focus), the participating artists (including some image material), a budget of the show, a publicity plan (not obliged).
- A résumé, including an extensive description of one's relevant working experience.
- Two written references of (former) tutors, professors or employers, in English.

On the basis of the submitted documents a pre-selection is made. Approximately ten candidates will be short-listed; they are invited to come to Amsterdam in the last week of March for an interview.

Application deadline: 7th of March 2008

Send completed applications (in two-fold) to:

de Appel
Att: Esther Vossen
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10
1017 DE Amsterdam
The Netherlands

For further information please visit the website.

Contact: evossen -at- deappel.nl
t. + 31 (0) 20 6255215