Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is now accepting applications from national and international curators for its Curator-in-Residence Program. Beginning January 2019, the successful candidate will participate in a one-year fully subsidized live/work residency as part of Bemis Center’s acclaimed Artist-in-Residence Program. S/he will originate and present three exhibitions and related public programs inclusive of local and national artists. The Curator-in-Residence will work alongside residency and curatorial staff and actively contribute to the overall vision of Bemis Center’s renowned exhibition program. As a residency, the Curator-in-Residence will have the space and freedom to work on research and curatorial projects independent of his/her exhibitions at Bemis.
Competitive applicants will possess a strong knowledge of international contemporary art and a genuine interest in researching and responding to cultural production in Omaha and the region. The Curator-in-Residence is part of the cultural fabric of the city, serving as a professional resource for local artists and arts professionals, and as an ambassador of Bemis Center in the community. S/he will be an integral member of Bemis Center’s Artist-in-Residence Program, stimulating intellectual discourse surrounding contemporary art practice through studio visits, knowledge-sharing workshops, and other organized programs with fellow artists-in-residence.
Reporting to the Program Director, the Curator-in-Residence is a full-time temporary position that will work closely with the Exhibition Program team. S/he will be involved in all curatorial and administrative aspects of organizing three exhibitions over the one-year residency. Exhibitions should be original, conceptually rigorous, and exemplify the true breadth and experimentation currently defining contemporary art. The 2019 exhibition dates are: March 21–June 15, July 11–September 21, and November 21, 2019–February 15, 2020.
Duties include, but are not limited to: research, artist and donor relations, exhibition design and installation, writing/editing of scholarly texts and didactics, budgeting, conceptualizing and leading exhibition-related public programs, and tours.
The Curator-in-Residence studio is for single occupancy only; Bemis Center is unable to accommodate partners, children, and pets at this time.
There is no fee to apply. Submission of applications is only accepted online at bemis.slideroom.com.
About Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
Founded in 1981, by artists for artists, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts supports today’s artists through an international artist-in-residence program, temporary exhibitions and commissions, and innovative public programs. Located in the historic Old Market district, Bemis Center serves a critical role in the presentation and understanding of contemporary art, bridging the community of Omaha to a global discourse surrounding cultural production today.
Eligibility
Residency opportunities are open to national and international arts professionals 21+ years of age, showing a strong professional working history.
Students enrolled in an academic program during the time of requested residency are not eligible to apply.
Bemis Center welcomes internationally based arts professionals to apply. A working knowledge of English is helpful for international artists, as an interpreter will not be provided. Upon notification of acceptance to the residency, the selected individual will be responsible for preparing and submitting the required personal employment visa materials by August 2018. A P-3 visa is recommended. Please visit the USCIS website for more information: www.uscis.gov. Bemis Center will provide appropriate documentation and materials to supplement the visa application process. Due to the current state of temporary, immigrant travel policies to the United States, we are unable to guarantee approval. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. As an international call, Bemis Center strives to support applicants from any country.
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and disability. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact the Residency Program Manager, Holly Kranker, at 402.341.7130 x 12 or .
Qualifications
Master’s degree in curatorial or museum studies, art history, or related field; or five years equivalent professional work experience in the field;
A minimum of 1–2 years of curatorial experience in an academic, nonprofit, and/or commercial gallery setting;
Strong knowledge of international contemporary art and a keen interest in understanding and working with Omaha’s cultural landscape;
Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
Creative and strategic thinker with the capacity to take initiative and to work independently as well as a team player in a fun, yet demanding, arts organization.
The ideal candidate will understand and promote Bemis Center’s mission and, as an ambassador of the organization, perform all Bemis-related duties in a professional, responsible manner.
Application & Fee
Applications are only accepted online at bemis.slideroom.com. There is no fee to apply.
Benefits
The selected Curator-in-Residence will receive an annual amount of $36,600, which includes a monthly residency stipend, a travel/research transportation allowance, and a curatorial honorarium*. The selected Curator-in-Residence will be offered a relocation allowance up to $2,000.** Bemis Center provides free, onsite lodging in a sizable, well-appointed live/work studio with private bath and kitchen including complimentary utilities, laundry, WiFi, and free parking. The Curator-in-Residence will work within a fast-paced team environment with Bemis Center staff, volunteers, interns, and Board of Directors, and have access to a dedicated gallery: approximately 2,000 square feet; 12 1/2 foot ceilings, and concrete floors.
*Miscellaneous income is subject to reporting on Form 1099.
**Curator-in-Residence will organize personal travel and moving costs to and from Omaha, Nebraska.
Application Review Process
SlideRoom will confirm receipt of your submitted application. Applications are reviewed by a rotating panel represented by national and regional arts professionals such as artists, curators, academics, and/or critics. The review process will take 6–8 weeks from the application deadline. Notifications to all applicants will be sent via email after the selection panel has made its final decision.
Residency Session: January–December 2019
Apply: bemis.slideroom.com
Deadline: 11:59pm CST | June 1, 2018
Notifications to all applicants will be made via email by August 1, 2018.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
Personal website
Résumé (pdf)
Cover Letter – A one-page cover letter outlining curatorial interests, professional experience, and what you aim to accomplish in a one-year residency at Bemis Center.
Critical or curatorial writing sample (500 words)
Didactic writing sample for a “general” audience (500 words)
Three professional references – Please provide the name, email, and phone number, as well as your relationship to each. Letters of recommendation are not required. Should the selection panel choose your application, your references will be contacted by Bemis Center.
Please list the first and last names of up to ten artists that you have directly worked with in the last five years. Include websites if applicable. Artists may have been involved in recently curated exhibitions, reviews, or essays.
Visual Portfolio:
Include five media samples of curated works completed in the last five years. Do not include text-based work or multiple page pdfs as a media sample.
Images should be sized no larger than 5MB each.
Video samples should be sized no larger than 250MB each and five minutes in length or less.
Audio samples should be sized no larger than 30MB each and five minutes in length or less.
Include title, year, location, and pertinent details. Media descriptions may also be included. (100 word max.)
When uploading video or audio files, please use the following formats:
Videos: .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg, .mpg, .mkv
Video samples should not exceed five minutes in length, 60Mb
3D Models (embedded): .blend, .3ds, .dae, .obj, .fbx, .dwf, .osg, .osgt, .osgb, .ive, .lwo, .lws, .ply, .wrl, .iv, .shp, .stl, .bvh, .flt, .ac, .x, .dw, .3dc, .geo, .gta, .kmz, .vpk
Audio: .mp3, .wma, .ogg, .flac
Documents (10MB each): .pdf
Deadline: 11:59pm CST | June 1, 2018
Notifications to all applicants will be made via email on August 1, 2018.
For more information, contact Holly Kranker, Residency Program Manager, at 402.341.7130 x 12 or .