Open Call - Catalyst Commissions
Curatorial Programme Mentor
Application Deadline: 17 january, 2022
De Appel is looking for a Curatorial Programme Mentor as part of the Catalyst Commissions, for the upcoming Curatorial Programme trajectory (January 10, 2022 – November 10, 2022). This paid position is for two days a week.
De Appel is proud to partner with Ammodo Fonds in the establishment of a new commissioning schema for artists and a mentor for emerging curators. The Catalyst Commissions are focused on engaging one person per year to work as a guiding light for the Curatorial Programme (CP) cohort of up to six participants. This unique learning platform founded in 1994 has established a track record of internationally recognized innovation in exhibition making and institution building.
About the Curatorial Programme at de Appel
Each year a group of up to six participants, chosen for their potential to transform their field and the very DNA of de Appel, come together to learn from each other, from their advisors, from the rich context where they are immersed, and from the travels they undertake together. Their 10-month curriculum concludes with a jointly-organized public presentation – an exercise in making art public. The Catalyst Commission is intended to ensure ‘good chemistry’ in the process (curriculum) and the new potential to include a major commission of a new artwork within the final outcome/exhibition.
Pilot for Catalyst Commissions
The pilot of this commissioning schema will manifest throughout the next CP trajectory (January 10, 2022 – November 10, 2022) building towards the final outcome to be presented in the Fall of 2022. This is an opportunity to activate teaching/mentoring as an art form; and it is an opportunity to realize new artworks as public learning tools.
The Catalyst Commission adds great depth to the five core principles of the Curatorial Programme:
Alliance with Artists
Grounding
Resource-fullness
Rethinking collections
Poetry as Policy
It also advances our institution’s commitment to learning in – and with – all the senses, which binds the Archive, Curatorial Programme and Education Initiatives of de Appel. More about our institutional mission, vision and in particular the Curatorial Programme can be found at www.deappel.nl
We seek an artist, curator or a collective with a proven track record of visionary teaching and exhibition practice – uniquely capable of mobilising team work within the Curatorial Programme cohort. This is an open call in all the senses – it offers a prompt for diverse interpretations – artists and curators are welcome to apply. A jury comprised of de Appel team members and incoming CP participants will assess 3 finalists.
The new position of mentor is endowed with a 50,000 euro budget, to be divided between salary and research (20K) and the commission of a new artwork (30K) organized jointly by mentor and CP participants in dialogue with de Appel team.
How to Apply
Please include:
- a letter of personal introduction outlining your approach to mentoring and decision making towards visionary artistic production/public presentation; please reflect on how your skills apply to the context of the Curatorial Programme and the broader public engagement of de Appel as you understand them;
- a sketch schedule for the 10 month process;
- a cv (including teaching and mentoring experience as well as exhibition practice and commissioning experience – links to a website also acceptable);
and telephone contacts for 3 professional references.
- email your application to vacatures [at] deappel.nl. Questions can be directed at Maaike Lauwaert, via maaike [at] deappel.nl.
The jury assessing proposals will focus on:
- the potential of the candidate for the practical mentorship of the CP participants, guiding them to cohere into an effective team (expected time commitment is two days per week for the 10 month duration of the curriculum);
- the potential for collective production and public presentation of new work(s) of art destined for a public collection under your guidance.
de Appel receives support from Ammodo in realising the Catalyst Commissions, of which this call for the Curatorial Programme Mentor is one part. Ammodo stimulates art and science. Together with renowned partners Ammodo initiates, develops and supports groundbreaking projects within the visual arts, performing arts and sciences. de Appel and Ammodo find each other in the desire to make groundbreaking projects possible, to offer them shelter and to present them to the public. With this contribution Ammodo makes it possible to further develop the Curatorial Programme and create new opportunities for curators and artists.