Deadline to apply is January 26th @5pm. For more information and application guidelines click here.
The Gardiner Museum Curatorial Residency provides the successful applicant with a paid
opportunity to conceive, research, and produce a small-scale museum exhibition and gain
experience in a professional environment. The aims of the Residency are to support a new
and diverse generation of aspiring and emerging curators by offering them an opportunity
to communicate their ideas to a broad public; to promote new approaches to the study
and presentation of ceramics; and to encourage innovative research on the Gardiner’s
permanent collection in an international context. The Curatorial Residency is an annual
program, launched in 2022. Unsuccessful applicants from previous years are encouraged
to apply again.
The Curatorial Residency program is typically 20 weeks long and its main outcome is an
exhibition presented at the Museum. The exhibition should focus on clay or ceramic works,
works that are primarily ceramic, or ceramic works in context with other objects or
artworks. The theme should be of contemporary relevance and informed by the latest
scholarship, whether the actual objects are historical or contemporary. As one of the
objectives of the Residency is to advance knowledge and interpretation of the Gardiner’s
collection, the exhibition should draw from or directly relate to the Museum’s holdings.
There are two components within the residency to achieve this goal. The first is a travel
component (typically 2 – 4 weeks), with financial support for the selected applicant’s travel
outside of Canada to research their exhibition, including visiting other museums. This
invaluable experience will enhance the exhibition, deepen its scholarship, and provide a
unique opportunity for professional and personal growth.
The second component is full-time work at the Gardiner Museum (typically 16 – 18 weeks).
This portion of the Residency focuses on the research, development, writing, and
realization phases of the exhibition, along with participation in the regular curatorial
operations of the Museum, through which the selected applicant gains broader exposure
to Museum practice.
The Curatorial Resident will also give at least one public presentation about their exhibition
and contribute to the Gardiner’s digital platforms with content about their project. The
Resident may include additional programs or a publication as part of their proposal; any
element must be reflected within the project budget.
