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Since 2005, the Center for Craft has changed the shape of the field through its work, establishing benchmarks of historical research and backing major curatorial initiatives, even as it enables emerging makers and curators to get a foothold. In 2016, the Center announced the Curatorial Fellowship program.
Grant goals
To provide professional development and networking opportunities for emerging craft curators
To cultivate emerging ideas within the field of craft
To recognize and affirm emerging curatorial talent
Fellowship program supporting emerging craft curators to explore and test new ideas about craft.
Proposals are welcome from individuals, two-person teams, and collectives for exhibitions to be considered in the Center for Craft’s 2023 exhibition season. No prior curatorial experience is necessary. An experienced curator on staff will be available to provide guidance and support during the program. Additional consideration will be given to applicants beginning their career as a curator. The Center for Craft welcomes proposals that contribute to our on-going commitment to diversity representing a range of geographies, expertise, craft materials, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Applicants must be:
Eligible to receive taxable income in the U.S. for the duration of the Fellowship and report this grant funding as income.
21 years of age or older
Applicants cannot be:
Disqualified persons, such as substantial contributors to the Center for Craft as well as current employees, consultants, or board members of the Center for Craft, or immediate family members of such a person. Previous recipients of the Curatorial Fellowship are ineligible to apply.
Applicants must reside in the United States for the duration of the grant period. International travel will not be provided.
The Center for Craft prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or perceived disability, age, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected category. The Center encourages applications from historically underrepresented populations. Applying does not constitute a promise or guarantee of being awarded a grant.
All proposals should investigate and promote the work of three to ten artists working in craft and will be evaluated on full completion of application and according to the criteria listed below:
Applications are first reviewed by the Center for Craft Director of Programs and Curator and Gallery Manager according to the stated grant goals and criteria, and in line with the Center’s mission. A top tier of applications is identified. Each top application is then read by at least two outside experts and references checked. A final grouping is selected by the Director of Programs and Curator in close consultation with the Gallery Manager and approved by the Executive Director.
Considerations in final selection:
The Center for Craft respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are. We foster open communication of diverse perspectives and bring a broad range of individuals together to enrich and support programming. Ultimately we will compose a set of recipients that prioritizes diversity and represents a range of ideas, subject matter, and curatorial approaches.
Please note that the Center for Craft exhibition spaces are located on the ground floor in the heart of downtown Asheville, North Carolina’s cultural district. Please review photographs of previous exhibitions as well as the gallery floor plan before submitting your proposal. Please note, the gallery layout may be subject to change.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications must be submitted via SlideRoom no later than February 18, 2022, at 11:59 pm ET. Please note that a non-refundable application fee of $5 is required with each application. Payment must be submitted via SlideRoom.
NOTIFICATION
Notifications will be sent via email by April 2022. The email address listed on the application form will be used to send out notifications. Please be sure that it is a valid account that you check regularly.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply using the online application program SlideRoom at https://centerforcraft.slideroom.com/#/Login. Applicants will be required to pay a nonrefundable $5 application fee. Please review the sample application below before beginning your application. All applicants should create a login to be able to partially complete the form and return to finish it at a later date. Before submitting your application, you will be directed to a confirmation page where you can review your form and return to edit or delete your uploaded files as needed. Your application can not be accessed once submitted. Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application form has been successfully received. A virtual application information session will be held on January 11, 2022.
Collaborators
Applicants who wish to apply as collaborators need only submit one application form and application fee. One member of the collaborative team must be selected as the main applicant; their contact information will be used for all preliminary correspondence and notification.
2023 Curatorial Fellowship Award - SAMPLE APPLICATION This is only a sample application. All applications must be completed in SlideRoom.
Proposals to be submitted via SlideRoom as follows:
Demographic Survey
Please note that the data from the demographics section will only be used anonymously for grant writing and reporting and as part of an overall understanding of who the Center for Craft serves. Center for Craft has and upholds an organizational nondiscrimination policy. Completion This survey will in no way affect your application. You must complete the form; however, you may answer each question with the “prefer not to answer” option. Thank you.
Cover Sheet
Application
Short answer: Applicants should address each of the following questions in 400 words or less:
PLEASE NOTE: Applications containing images and documents that are not labeled or uploaded according to the guidelines above will NOT be reviewed. Images will not be accepted by email. Submitting an application does not constitute a promise or guarantee of acceptance.
What is the final deadline for submitting my online application form?
All applications must be submitted via SlideRoom no later than Monday, February 18, 2022 at 11:59 pm ET.
What are the dimensions of the Center for Craft gallery space?
The Center for Craft has three gallery spaces where the Curatorial Fellowship exhibitions might be displayed, ranging from 260 ft² - 675 ft² and 46 ft - 72 ft in running wall space.
Bresler Front Gallery: approx. 675 ft², 65.6 ft of running wall space
Bresler Back Gallery: approx. 650 ft², 72 ft of running wall space
John Cram Back Gallery: approx. 260 ft², 46 ft of running wall space
May I mail a hard copy of my application materials to the Center for Craft’s office?
No, hard copy submissions will not be accepted. The application must be completed and submitted through SlideRoom.
I have video samples as well as jpegs of the work examples proposed for my exhibition. Can I submit samples of both?
You may upload up to 20 images or video links from your personal site or video hosting sites (such as vimeo, flickr or youtube) of your recent work. You can upload any combination totaling 20. Remember, during the review process only the first 2 minutes of each video sample so please edit your materials accordingly.
Can I work on my application and return to complete it at a later date?
Yes, creating a SlideRoom account will enable you to complete the form in several online sessions.
I just submitted my application but I want to return to it and make an edit. Is this possible?
No, once your application is submitted, you will not be able to return to the form or change any submitted information. The application fee must also be paid at the time of submitting your application as you will not be able to log-in again to access the payment page again.
Will I receive confirmation that my application has been received?
Yes, applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application form and application fee have been received.
How do I pay the application fee?
Payment must be submitted via credit card through the SlideRoom application form system. After you complete and submit your application, you will be directed to a confirmation page and a link to pay your application fee. The application fee must be paid at the time of submitting your application as you will not be able to log-in to access the payment page.
Can I apply as part of a collaborative team?
Yes, curatorial teams of two people or more may apply together for their shared project. Applicants who wish to apply as collaborators need only submit one application form and application fee. One member of the collaborative team must be selected as the main applicant; their contact information will be used for all preliminary correspondence and notification. Please note that the Center for Craft will only cover the U.S. travel expense of up to two collaborators per project.
Do the images I submit in the application need to be the exact pieces in the exhibition? Once I’m selected may I add/subtract pieces I used in my submission?
The submitted proposal should include as many of the artists exhibiting work in the exhibition as possible. The strongest proposals are the most specific and will include the artwork intended for the exhibition. Once selected, the curator may add or subtract pieces after discussion with the Center for Craft staff. The selected proposal is chosen based on the exhibition as a whole so it is important for the proposal to be fully formed.
What does the exhibition budget cover?
The $8,000 exhibition budget should be used to cover the entire cost of the exhibition to include shipping, crating, framing, exhibition design and build, installation, demo costs, art commissions/artist fees, loan fees, customs, couriers, and interpretive materials such as show graphics, labels, and so on.\
What does the Center for Craft provide for the exhibition?
The Center for Craft will provide the gallery/exhibition space, insurance, staffing during gallery opening hours, administrative support including marketing, postcard invitations, and email invites. The Center for Craft will provide a registrar to arrange shipping and object reports, art handlers for installation and graphic design support within reason. Additionally, the Center for Craft will organize an opening reception and related programming. An experienced curator on staff will be available to provide guidance and support during the program. An honorarium of $5,000 will be awarded to the selected applicant. There will be no other financial support.
What is the responsibility of the selected curator?
Curatorial Fellows are responsible for creating a comprehensive exhibition checklist, shipping and/or special handling and installation instructions, writing exhibition labels and didactics, and participating in an educational program.
Pending return to safe travel, Curatorial Fellows must be able to travel to the Center for Craft twice during the duration of the Fellowship; once for a site visit during Summer/Fall 2022 and once to participate in an educational program in 2023. U.S. travel expenses will be covered by the Center for Craft for up to two curators per team. Please note that travel requirements are subject to change based on safety recommendations administered by the CDC and the Department of Health.
Curatorial Fellows must be available for a monthly teleconference or videoconference meeting during regular business hours with the Center for Craft staff for the duration of the program (until the exhibition is mounted).
How much time is allocated for the installation of the exhibition?
Each exhibition should be installed within 3-4 days. The installation will be completed by a team of art handlers selected by the Center for Craft.
Does the Center for Craft have equipment to borrow for the exhibition such as projectors, monitors, media players, pedestals etc. or should we include those items in my budget?
The Center for Craft does have a limited supply of basic media and installation equipment that can be utilized by the selected curator. Please contact the Center for Craft directly regarding specific inquiries for equipment prior to completing your budget. A full list of available basic media and installation equipment will be provided to the selected Curatorial Fellows.
Can I submit an exhibition with an open call or a residency component?
No. Open calls must be completed prior to submitting a proposal and residencies cannot be a component of the exhibition
Can my show be virtual or off-site?No. All exhibitions must take place in one of the gallery spaces at the Center for Craft. Though parts of the exhibition may be in public or other spaces, something must be on view within the walls of the gallery for the scheduled duration of approximately 3 months, during hours assigned by the Center for Craft.
Can my proposed show include sales of work?
No. The Center for Craft gallery is an educational gallery and works are not offered for sale.
Can I submit a proposal for a solo show or an exhibition of my own work?
No. All proposals must include at least three (3) artists. Including yourself in an exhibition proposal is allowed yet should be clearly stated. In addition, proposals will not be accepted for exhibitions where multiple people work on one person's idea (artists projects).
Can I submit more than one proposal? Can I submit an exhibition that has been presented elsewhere before?
No.
I have a question that wasn’t answered. How can I reach the Center for Craft?
If you have any further questions, please contact grants@centerforcraft.org
recipients
Crafting Denim
$5,000
Sonya Abrego
Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Sonya Abrego is a New York City-based design historian specializing in American fashion. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to examining the interconnections between dress, popular culture, art, craft, and design. Sonya has published in scholarly and popular venues, has presented at conferences across North America, and presently teaches at Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her first book, Westernwear: Postwar American Fashion and Culture, is published with Bloomsbury Academic.
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Something earned, Something left behind
$5,000
Kehayr Brown-Ransaw
Minneapolis, MN
Kehayr Brown-Ransaw is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and curator based in Bde Óta Othúŋwe/Mnísota (Minneapolis/Minnesota). Brown-Ransaw’s practice engages in conversations of individualism v. collectivism, familial histories, concepts of gendered work, tradition, and Blackness/Black identity through quilting, weaving and printmaking. His curatorial and teaching practices are concerned with access, representation, and the presentation of marginalized communities.
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NEO MINERALIA
$5,000
Oscar Salguero
Brooklyn, NY
Oscar Salguero is an independent curator, researcher, and archivist based in Brooklyn, NY. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, including a presentation during Stockholm Design Week 2020, as part of non:agency’s The Age of Entanglements. As a curator, Salguero is a fellow of SixtyEight Art Institute’s The Curatorial Thing 2020 Edition, for which he received the Danish Arts Foundation’s International Visual Arts Funding Grant. In Spring 2021, Salguero curated Interspecies Futures [IF] at the Center for Book Arts, NY. The show marked the first survey of bookworks by emerging artists working at the intersection of speculative fiction and new interspecies possibilities. Salguero is the founder of Interspecies Library and is the author of the Symbiocene Anthology, a series of artists’ book reviews published online via Future Based.
Learn more67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 785-1357 | info@centerforcraft.org
Gallery Hours: Tues–Sat, 10–6 get more info
Gallery Hours: Closed — Reopening Fall 2019
