2016 Call for Submissions

The Middlebrook Prize invites curators under the age of 30 to submit an innovative proposal for an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Guelph, to take place from September 15 to December 18, 2016. Applicants are encouraged to reflect upon the ways in which creative thinking may animate and engage a community, instilling a shared sense of purpose and connectedness.

By supporting and mobilizing Canadian creative talent, the Middlebrook Prize aims to inspire positive social change through creativity and connectedness in a time of unprecedented economic, environmental, social, and cultural challenges.

The winning curator will receive an honorarium of $5,000.

Applications must include:

• Letter of Introduction: applicants should share their perspective on the health and vitality of art in Canada and what the Prize means to them as a career-building opportunity
• One-page exhibition proposal (including contact information, curatorial statement, list of artists, and description of outreach programming)
• Exhibition budget up to $10,000 and including: artist fees, shipping via an accredited art transportation company, special equipment requirements for the exhibition, any unique or unusual installation requirements, projected travel/accommodation expenses for artists/ curators)
• One example of critical writing
• C.V. (current, maximum three pages)
• Ten images with descriptions (including artist name, title, date, medium, dimensions) inclusive of the following:
  – five images supporting exhibition proposal
  – five images supporting past curatorial work
• Floor Plan (detailing the proposed layout of works)

Notes

The award winner must be under 30 years of age by December 31, 2016.
The Prize is open to Canadian citizens, as well as non-Canadians currently living and working in Canada.
If the Prize is awarded to a non-Canadian curator, they must be resident in Canada for the full term of the Prize (March through December 2016).

Acknowledgements

The Middlebrook Prize for Young Canadian Curators is funded by the Centre Wellington Community Foundation’s Middlebrook Social Innovation Fund, The Guelph Community Foundation: Musagetes Fund, and by private donations.

The Art Gallery of Guelph and its sponsors — University of Guelph, City of Guelph, and the Upper Grand District School Board — acknowledge the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Download the PDF Call for Submissions here.