Call for proposals
Emerging Curator for the Canada Council for the Arts Âjagemô Exhibition Space
The Canada Council Art Bank is seeking proposals from emerging curators interested in curating an exhibition featuring artwork from the Art Bank collection in the Âjagemô Exhibition Space. Presented from June 2024 to January 2025, this physical exhibition will be complemented by an online exhibition on the Âjagemô page of the Canada Council website.
Âjagemô is a 3,000 sq. ft. public space located on the ground floor of the Canada Council’s head office at 150 Elgin Street, in Ottawa. An Algonquin word signifying ‘crossroads,’ it recalls the power of art to connect people and to expand possibilities.
Âjagemô has featured exhibitions, events and performances of contemporary art by artists from across Canada since 2014. Developed with guest curators, the exhibitions have advanced conversations on various themes including climate change, Indigenous sovereignty and inclusion.
The name Âjagemô was gifted to the Canada Council by an Algonquin elder and artist and serves to recognize the Algonquins as the customary keepers and defenders of the Ottawa River Watershed and its tributaries.
As 2024 marks a decade of exhibitions in Âjagemô, emerging curators are invited to explore the Art Bank collection to expand on the concept of ‘crossroads’. As the starting point of their curatorial reflection, curators are encouraged to reflect on the idea of a meeting place where views intersect, where paths cross or a space where connection is built, and community is fostered through art.
In alignment with the Canada Council’s 2021–26 strategic plan, Art, now more than ever, priority will be given to proposals received by emerging curators who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, Deaf, having a disability, being from official language minority communities, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, gender diverse and women, including curators at the intersections of these identities.
The deadline to send your proposal is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Responsibilities
This opportunity encourages emerging curators to build an exhibition that draws predominantly from the Art Bank collection. Supported by the Art Bank team, the curator will have access to the Canada Council Art Bank collection, gain experience in curating an exhibition in an institutional context and expand their professional network.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- developing a curatorial premise for the exhibition, including a title for consideration in consultation with the Canada Council;
- proposing artists and works of art to be included in the exhibition that meet the chosen theme. Curators can visit artbank.ca to make a preliminary selection of works;
- working closely with the Exhibitions and Outreach officer to develop the exhibition budget;
- providing a curatorial statement for the online exhibition as well as in-gallery didactic materials, in consultation with the Canada Council;
- writing a blog article about the exhibition and their overall experience;
- attending the launch event, leading public tours of the exhibition, as well as a tour for Canada Council employees; and
- participating in short videos to promote the exhibition.
The curator is welcome to work in English and/or French.
* The selected curator will be invited to the Art Bank to finalize the artwork selection. The final selection will be based on the availability of artworks and carried out in consultation with the Art Bank team.
Guidelines
- Emerging curators are curators who are entering or are in the early stages of their professional career.
- To submit a proposal, a curator must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- The proposed exhibition should provide various levels of entry into the material and various layers of content and meaning.
- The exhibition should engage the audience through a call to action, an exchange or an interaction of some kind; this could include audiences leaving a physical mark or imprint, participating through social media or some other means.
- Content must be appropriate for all ages, since Âjagemô is in a public space.
- The exhibition should be aligned with the Canada Council brand personality attributes of ‘open, vibrant and connected’ and the values of its strategic plan, Art, now more than ever.
- All programming and didactic materials must be in French and English (the Council will provide writing, editing, translation, design and installation services).
Budget
The selected curator will receive a $6,000 fee.
The total budget for the exhibition is $50,000 and is managed by the Art Bank. The budget covers the curator’s fee, minimal travel expenses for research, installation and vernissage attendance, artist exhibition and reproduction right fees, restoration and/or framing, fabrication and installation costs, documentation of the exhibition and public programming.
Covered separately are the following aspects: writing, editing, translation, design and installation of didactic panels and promotional material, including Web content.
Proposal
Please submit a brief proposal outlining:
- your concept (300–500 words);
- a list of suggested artworks: please identify a minimum of five artists or works of art from the Art Bank collection that speak to the ideas you would like to explore;
- a recent CV, biography or a narrative text (300–500 words max.) outlining your experience in the visual arts sector;
- the names and contact information of two references.
Application assistance
Application Assistance contributes to costs for services to help with an exhibition proposal submission for individuals who self-identify as:
- Deaf, hard of hearing, having a disability or living with a mental illness
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers
To submit a request, contact artbank@canadacouncil.ca at least 1 week before you plan to submit your proposal.
How to Submit
Apply to the call for proposals for the Canada Council Âjagemô Exhibition Space
You can save and edit your responses before the deadline.
The deadline to send your proposal is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Important dates
September 25 – October 18, 2023 |
Call for proposals |
October 18, 2023, 5 p.m. |
Deadline for submission |
By November 3, 2023 |
The selected curator is informed of the decision. |
November and December 2023 |
Curatorial research at the Art Bank |
Between January 2024 and May 2024 |
Exhibition production |
June 2024 |
Exhibition opening, exhibition tour(s) |
Questions can be sent by email to artbank@canadacouncil.ca or a message can be left at 1-800-263-5588, extension 4479. You can expect a response in two business days. If you are Deaf, hard of hearing or a TTY user, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP (Internet Protocol) service to contact the Council. The Canada Council also welcomes VRS (Video Relay Service) calls. For more information, please visit the VRS Canada website (http://srvcanadavrs.ca/en/).