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WEB SIZE 2000px 72dpi Cosmotechnics FACT Gallery November 2024 Rob Battersby 27

Open Call: Curator in Residence

Established in 2019, our Curator in Residence programme invites Curators, based in the UK and Europe, to develop a major exhibition and a public programme of events that engage with our diverse audiences: both in Liverpool and internationally.

Until 2026, the position will be funded by the John Ellerman Foundation as part of our Curatorial Development Programme; allowing us to continue to champion new visions and voices within the arts. 

Apply below →

Curator in Residence Information - Downloadable PDF 
 

Closing date: Sunday 23 February 2025, 23:59.

Context

FACT is one of the UK’s leading centres for artists, curators and researchers working at the intersection of art, science and technology. As well as supporting artists at different stages of their careers, FACT recognises the importance of curatorial practice in maintaining a vibrant cultural scene.

Curators impact how an artwork is made, shown, and talked about. They have the ability to make unique connections between ideas, people and projects which are specific to their interests or research. As such, they are a vital part of any art ecology, and FACT is eager to support the next generation of curators to develop their practice in sustainable ways, building on the expertise within the organisation.

Through our Curator in Residence programme, we aim to further discourse around digital cultures and the impact of new technologies on society, and to offer a supportive environment for individuals or collectives to explore their curatorial practice. By continually expanding the network of artists, researchers and curators we work with, FACT hopes to become a hub for new perspectives and approaches.

Introduction to the role

We welcome applications from individuals or collectives working within the context of digital cultures and new technologies, at an emerging- to mid-career stage, who are excited about working with and around artists: supporting them to develop their practice, make new work, and deliver events and exhibitions. Applicants might not naturally consider themselves a curator, but have experience in any of the following: supporting creative practice, designing activities for groups of people, the production of artistic outcomes, or other transferable practical creative skills which are in-keeping with the aims of the residency.

We are interested in working with curators who are keen to explore an artist and practice focused approach to exhibition development. Applicants should be interested in the overlapping fields of art, immersive and advanced technology, approaching this from a critical and/or social perspective. We are keen to consider experimental approaches to exhibition making and how audiences experience and interact with artworks and ideas. 

The Curator in Residence will work towards an exhibition in FACT’s Gallery 2, and an accompanying public programme. This hybrid residency will be based between on-site working at FACT and independent research and development working remotely. It runs from April 2025 for 12 months, culminating in FACT’s Spring exhibition, due to open in February 2026 and its public events. FACT will support the curator’s vision and practice, seeking to bring in new references or perspectives, and disrupting our usual ways of working.

During the residency, the curator will work closely with FACT’s Exhibitions, Learning and Marketing teams to develop their exhibition and public programme. They will also integrate into FACT’s Studio/Lab programme, engaging with researchers and early to mid-career artists or curators through mentoring and informal sharing sessions. The residency will allow for remote working but should include multiple extended stays in Liverpool during development, production, installation and the exhibition run.

Person specifics

  • This role is open to curators from any background or discipline - although the role is curatorial, we are keen to open this out to people who may not have a formal curatorial practice but are able to create connections, construct narratives and work with us to invite audiences into an artistic experience
  • The role is open to individuals or collectives. If applying as a collective, please be aware that the fee and travel, accommodation & research budgets remain the same, so this should be considered when allocating members’ time to the project
  • Applicants should be interested in the overlapping fields of art and technology, approaching this from a critical and/or social perspective; and their work should seek to push FACT’s current programme and approach
  • Applicants should be mid-career (3+ years experience), having worked on the delivery of some public-facing or large-scale projects in their chosen specialism or field of research
  • Flexible and collaborative: someone with experience of working as part of a large team, organisation or on a project with many stakeholders
  • Clear vision and ability to communicate this to a wide range of audiences
  • Committed to Equality, Diversity, Access and Inclusion both in their programming and their approach to working with artists, colleagues and participants
  • Applicants must be based in the UK or Europe
  • Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as FACT cannot currently support visa applications.

Deliverables / Expectations

  • To take part in a flexible, hybrid residency lasting approx. 12 months with around 30% of time spent on-site in Liverpool (including install/opening period)
  • To become embedded in the organisation, and in Liverpool, forming connections between their curatorial approach and the work FACT is already undertaking, as well as locating their work within FACT’s specific context
  • To curate and deliver an ambitious, audience-focused presentation of a solo artist, or small group (2-3 artists or a collective). It can be either a new commission or significant restaging, to take over FACT’s Gallery 2
  • To design and take part in a public programme that expands the scope of the exhibition and is focused on audience interaction and engagement, rather than interpretation and explanation through events
  • To propose and develop ways to utilise online platforms to disseminate and create critical artworks, or artistic experiences for our entirely digital audiences: either through the new commissions or events programme
  • To take part in the Practice Development Programme of FACT’s new experimental production space, Studio/Lab. This will include acting as a mentor (as planned and assisted by the Studio/Lab Manager) for the Research Curator, Curatorial Assistant and Studio/Lab Artists in Residence.

The above should not be regarded as exhaustive or inclusive as there may be other duties associated with the post that FACT will require the post holder to perform.

Benefits / Resources

  • £10,000 Fee
  • £3,000 Travel, accommodation & research budget
  • A workspace in Liverpool along with any basic technical equipment required
  • Ongoing, adaptable support from the team at FACT. The team will help to realise the curator’s vision for the Winter exhibition, and also nurture the curator’s developing practice: how they work with artists, institutions and audiences
  • This support also includes insights from across the whole organisation, with opportunities to work with or alongside teams focused on participation, fundraising, communications, technical design and visitor services
  • Access to a wide network of artists, curators and research through FACT’s Programme and through Studio/Lab, where they have the opportunity to work alongside other residents and become embedded in the organisation
  • Access to FACT’s partners in Liverpool, from academic institutions to creative technology labs and other arts organisations
  • A space to experiment - working directly with the FACT team’s knowledge of our audiences, and our eagerness to try out new approaches to develop and test out curatorial practice in a way not possible in some other gallery spaces

Timeline

  • Closing date for applications: 23 February 2025 at 23:59
  • Conversations with shortlisted applicants: w/c 10 March 2025
  • Successful applicant offer and contract: w/c 17 March 2025
  • Residency begins: April 2025
  • Exhibitions and Public Programme outcomes: February 2026 onwards

How to Apply

To apply, please use the following form: 

You will be asked to submit a current CV or portfolio (this can be a link to your website) along with a proposal. The proposal must be no longer than five pages, or if you would like to submit a video or audio file, no longer than 5 minutes. Proposals can include images and artist names as reference materials.

A 360° scan of FACT’s Gallery 2 can be found here.

If you require access support for your application, or have any queries, please email us at residency@fact.co.uk or call FACT on 0151 707 4444.

Closing date: Sunday 23 February 2025 at 23:59.

Eligibility

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

FACT Liverpool cares about diversity in the workplace and sector. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly from candidates who have Black, Asian or Global Ethnic Majority heritage, who identify as disabled, LGBTQIA+, and/or who are from lower socio-economic backgrounds. You can read our policy for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on our website here: fact.co.uk/edi

FACT does not have a sponsoring organisation status for work visas. Candidates require the right to work in the UK at the time of applying.

We are committed to providing equal access to everyone, so if you require any adjustments or help with the application or interview process, please contact: residency@fact.co.uk


DISABILITY CONFIDENT EMPLOYER

We are proud to be a disability confident employer which is a government scheme supporting employers in ensuring disabled people, and those with long term health conditions, are able reach their full potential within their organisation. The scheme will help us to ensure we are doing our very best in increasing our reach when recruiting and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to be a part of our team. All candidates will be asked if they wish to declare a disability on the application form for a vacancy at FACT Liverpool. You can read our Disability Confident Commitments in more detail here: fact.co.uk/disabilityconfident