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Emerging Curator Fellowship
Support for an emerging curatorial exhibition project
Last Update: April 23, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
- Closing date : January 31, 2028
Location
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Overview
This fellowship provides up to $15,000 to support an emerging curator or curatorial team. It funds the development of an exhibition concept, curatorial materials, and educational enhancements based on the AFA Art Collection.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : January 31, 2028
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Calgary
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
- Academia / students
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing an exhibition concept using the AFA Art Collection
- Curating an exhibition for the AFA art house in Calgary
- Creating curatorial and interpretive exhibition materials
- Developing educational enhancements for the exhibition
Documents Needed
- Statement of Interest
- Resume or CV
- Exhibition Proposal
- Work samples, including gallery text and artwork labels
- Up to 6 images of past curatorial or artistic work
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Emerging curators
- Curatorial teams or collectives
- Artists, art historians, arts administrators, educators, and related disciplines
Who is not eligible
- Applicants with more than six years of curatorial experience
- Full-time curators at museums, galleries, or cultural institutions
- Applicants currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
- Incorporated applicants, including ensembles
- Previous recipients of this fellowship
Eligible expenses
- Project costs related to exhibition development and educational enhancements
- Travel for research and development visits, if applicable
- Curatorial development support tied to the exhibition
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Business start-up costs
- Purchase of basic equipment, such as a personal computer or software
- Exhibitions completed before the funding period
- Exhibitions already published, produced, or exhibited
- Post-secondary projects that grant academic credit
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
- Calgary
- Edmonton
Selection criteria
- Experience and potential for growth, based on resume, statement of interest, and work samples
- Quality, innovation, and originality of the exhibition proposal
- Ability to engage Alberta audiences and increase visibility for underrepresented works
- Creativity of the engagement strategy and educational enhancements
- Feasibility, timeline, and budget accuracy
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare application materials
- Write a statement of interest.
- Prepare your resume or CV.
- Develop the exhibition proposal.
- Gather work samples and images.
- Step 2: Submit by mail or email
- Send the application to Elizabeth Capak at the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
- Email applications must arrive by 2 pm on the deadline date.
- Mailed applications must be postmarked by the application date.
- Step 3: Await review and decision
- Applications are screened by AFA and assessed by a panel of arts professionals.
- Successful applicants are contacted after the review process.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a panel of three experienced arts professionals.
- Eligible proposals are assessed against the published criteria.
- Successful applicants are notified and a general service contract is required before the fellowship begins.
- Any reporting requirements are set out in the final contract.
Additional information
- Only one fellowship will be awarded.
- The selected fellow will work with AFA staff throughout the project.
- A general service contract must be signed before the fellowship begins.
- Contractors must provide proof of personal and automobile liability insurance.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Emerging Curator Fellowship Program
What is the Emerging Curator Fellowship?
This fellowship provides up to $15,000 to support an emerging curator or curatorial team. It funds the development of an exhibition concept, curatorial materials, and educational enhancements based on the AFA Art Collection.
How much funding can be received?
Emerging Curator Fellowship Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Emerging Curator Fellowship program?
To be eligible for the Emerging Curator Fellowship program, you must:
Emerging curators with under six years of experience.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with an Alberta connection.
Applicants must be 18 or older.
What expenses are eligible under Emerging Curator Fellowship?
Developing an exhibition concept using the AFA Art Collection
Curating an exhibition for the AFA art house in Calgary
Creating curatorial and interpretive exhibition materials
Developing educational enhancements for the exhibition
Who can I contact for more information about the Emerging Curator Fellowship?
You can contact Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) by email at elizabeth.capak@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-638-2850.
Where is the Emerging Curator Fellowship available?
The Emerging Curator Fellowship program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Emerging Curator Fellowship a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Emerging Curator Fellowship is a Grant and Funding