The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) is pleased to initiate two programs aimed at fostering a new generation of curators: the Young Curators Program and the Power Corporation of Canada Curatorial Internships Program. Created in response to new trends emerging in the field of architecture and taking advantage of the exceptional resources found at the CCA, these programs create opportunities for students, recent graduates and young professionals to collaborate with CCA staff and to benefit first-hand from its Collection, programming and curatorial experience.
Programs
The Young Curators Program offers young professionals the opportunity to realize their own curatorial projects at the CCA. Applicants born on or after January 1,1976 and coming from different backgrounds – architects, journalists, designers, critics, historians and others – are invited to propose a project that engages the contemporary debate in architecture, urbanism, and landscape design. One candidate will be selected each year to realize a proposal during a residency of up to three months at the CCA.
The Power Corporation of Canada Curatorial Internships Program encourages students and recent graduates born on or after 1 January, 1981 to take part of the CCA’s curatorial activities through an internship of six to twelve months. One or two applicants from different disciplines and countries of residence have the opportunity to become acquainted with the CCA collection, conservation, educational, exhibition, publication, and research programs.
Emerging Curatorial Practice
In November 2010, with the support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the CCA held an important colloquium entitled “The Canadian Centre for Architecture in an expanding curatorial field” with numerous world-renowned specialists from the museum and architectural fields. The two new curatorial opportunities have been initiated as one of the outcomes of the colloquium and they address a renewed interest that is emerging around curatorial practice within the field of architecture. Many schools of architecture in North America and Europe have started to integrate the subject within their curriculum, and architecture centres like the CCA are looking to a new generation of curators of architecture, trained outside of art history and museum studies programs.
“These new programs will create mutually beneficial collaborations between the Canadian Centre for Architecture and the next generation of curators,” said CCA Director and Chief Curator Mirko Zardini. “By opening the doors to young curators the CCA fulfils an important educational role while engaging the talent necessary to best address issues that affect contemporary society and future architectural practices.”
With an interdisciplinary approach that draws on its extensive Collection, active Study Centre, its exhibition and curatorial programming, the CCA offers a unique environment for producing thematic research aimed at expanding the understanding of architecture and its role in contemporary society. The CCA’s recent exhibitions and their accompanying programs, books, and web publications act as a catalyst to address issues that affect the way we live today. In this context, young curators from diverse geographic and professional backgrounds can develop their skills and contribute ideas on an influential and internationally platform.
Application
For further information, applicants are invited to visit CCA’s website at www.cca.qc.ca/curatorialopportunities. All applications must be received by Friday, April 15, 2011.