Following a successful inaugural year in 2023, the Emerging Curator Program returns to provide an early-practice curator the opportunity to produce a funded exhibition and/or series of public events at Curl Curl Creative Space with support from Council’s art specialists and curators.

If you are an emerging curator or artist looking to develop your practice, gain knowledge of the arts sector, and grow your professional networks, we encourage you to apply for the 2024 program.

The mentorship includes support in:

concept development and research
artist liaison and selection
exhibition design
exhibition writing/essays
development of exhibition materials (i.e., wall labels and catalogue/room sheet)
budget and administration management

The recipient receives:

$2,000 – Curator’s fee
$2,350 – Project funding (including artist/speaker fees, project materials, promotion, catering etc)

Noongar basket weaver and curator Jodie Dowd was the inaugural Emerging Curator Program recipient in 2023. As part of the program, Jodie received mentoring from the MAG&M curatorial team and delivered an exhibition at Curl Curl Creative Space in July 2023, Honouring our Knowledge Keepers.

Jodie’s exhibition was a direct response to the 2023 NAIDOC theme, For Our Elders. Featuring multidisciplinary works by seven First Nations artists, the exhibition honoured Elders, Ancestors, animal kin, and Gai-mariagal Country through song, poetry, paintings, photographs, and cultural practices such as weaving and bush dyeing.

“This program, and the connections I’ve made, have enabled me to advance my collaboration skills with fellow curators, community members, and creatives, while also learning practical skills with the team at MAG&M,” the 2023 recipient, Jodi Dowd, said.