The Caribbean Art Initiative, a Swiss-based non-profit organization with a mission to promote international awareness and appreciation for Caribbean art and artists, is hosting an open call for a curator from the Caribbean region to conceptualize and curate a group exhibition in Basel, Switzerland, showcasing the work of artists from the broader Caribbean and its cultural Diaspora.

Exhibition

The exhibition’s aim is to provide an encompassing view of noteworthy art made in and about the Caribbean today, in particular by regionally-based artists who are addressing critical issues relevant to the contemporary international art world, and who have thus far been underrepresented in international art exhibitions and dialogues.

Comprised of new, loaned, and site-specific works and projects—conceived in an inclusive range of media including, but not limited to, painting, photography. sculpture, installations, video, digital projects, and performance—the exhibition is an opportunity to engage with the work of artists of the Caribbean and situate their practices in a historical framework around a compelling, accessible, and timely theme.

A minimum of five artists or collaboratives are anticipated to be featured in the show. An illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition, along with a schedule of performances, dialogues, and educational programs, in which the invited curator will have an active role.

This exhibition will run from May to July 2020, and as such, will overlap with Art Basel’s 2020 show in Basel. The exhibition is organized in collaboration between the Caribbean Art Initiative and the Kultur-Stiftung Basel H. Geiger. The Kultur-Stiftung Basel H. Geiger is a non-profit organization that conceives, organises and supports cultural events and exhibitions that focus on current topics in the fields of art and culture. Aiming to achieve a lasting impact on the public, a new horizon is to be opened to the public through the foundation’s work.

With the foundation’s support, short residencies will be available in Basel for the curator, visiting Caribbean artists, and others involved in the exhibition to facilitate their on-site activities in early-to-mid 2020. The curator will work in a consultative dialogue with the Caribbean Art Initiative and international curators and experts, as necessary, to conceptualize and realize the exhibition.

Eligibility

Curators living in the Caribbean region or born there, with a track-record of writing and curating Caribbean art, are invited to submit an application, in a single PDF file, to office@caribbean.art by September 27, 2019.

Requested materials:

–A letter expressing the applicant’s statement of interest
–A proposal (1,000 words) describing the theme and dimensions of the exhibition. Please do not include artist biographies in this text, as these will not be considered
–An illustrative selection of some artists and works suggested for inclusion
–A portfolio of three to four past exhibitions organized by the applicant (commercial and/or non-commercial)
–Two samples of published texts for exhibitions and catalogues (if not in English; please provide a translation)
–A short narrative biography of the applicant
–A CV and list of selected publications
–Reference letters from two individuals with a direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and a professional understanding of Caribbean art

Process

Application deadline: September 30, 2019

Applications will be judged by the strength of the exhibition idea and the communication of the concept as well as its feasibility. A short-list of applicants will be contacted for an interview in which additional details of the exhibition will be outlined. The selected curator will be announced in October 2019. Please note, concepts for solo shows will not be accepted.

Contact and information

For questions and advice on the application process, floorplans and budget details, please contact: office@caribbean.art

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Caribbean Art Initiative
Malzgasse 21
4052 Basel
Switzerland

www.caribbean.art