2026 Curation Fellowship, Call for Submissions
Austin Public Library in partnership with _OFCOLOR
Friday, November 7, 2025
- Sunday, December 7, 2025
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Gallery (2nd Floor Southwest)
About the Exhibit
Fellowship Dates: January – July 2026
The _OFCOLOR x Austin Public Library Curation Fellowship is a seven-month program designed to support emerging and community-based curators interested in developing exhibitions, public programs, and creative projects that connect art and audiences in meaningful ways.
Fellows will receive professional mentorship, monthly workshops, and access to exhibition opportunities at the Austin Central Library. The program emphasizes collaboration, storytelling, and the role of curators as cultural translators who shape how communities experience art and ideas.
About the Fellowship
The selected Emerging Curator will:
- Collaborate with Mentoring Curators to develop and present an original exhibition at APL.
- Assist in organizing and presenting ongoing exhibitions at APL.
- Contribute to the planning of educational initiatives, public programs, and engagement strategies that encourage creative exchange and audience participation.
- Explore tools, templates, and funding strategies that support sustainable public programming.
- Gain direct mentorship from experienced curators and arts professionals through monthly workshops and hands-on projects.
Who Should Apply:
This fellowship is ideal for artists, cultural organizers, community builders, and early-career curators who want to learn how to design, organize, and produce exhibitions or creative programs. You do not need prior curatorial experience — just a strong creative perspective and an interest in connecting art, culture, and community.
About the Artist
What Does “Curatorial” Mean?
In this context, “curatorial” refers to the creative process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting artworks or ideas for public presentation. Curators are storytellers and bridge-builders — they bring artists, audiences, and ideas together to spark dialogue, reflection, and connection.
Support & Resources
- Stipend: $1,000 provided by the Curation Fellowship team.
- Staff Support: Guidance and mentorship from OFCOLOR and APL teams.
- Professional Development: Access to workshops, critiques, and project feedback.
- Promotional Support: Assistance with marketing and exhibition visibility through APL and OFCOLOR platforms.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to emerging curators who demonstrate a commitment to curatorial innovation, community engagement, and inclusive arts programming. Ideal candidates will have:
- Interest in experimental exhibition-making and socially engaged art.
- A passion for amplifying diverse perspectives and cultural narratives.
- A desire to build professional experience in a public arts setting.
Residency Participation Requirements
- Commit to attending all monthly meetings and public workshops between January and July 2026 (monthly meetings held on the 4th Thursday of each month, 3-5 hours)
- Be willing to collaborate with APL and _OFCOLOR staff.
- Participate in scheduled office hours and planning sessions with mentors.
- Contribute to final group exhibition and one community activation during the residency period.
- Have the ability to apply as a vendor with the City of Austin (upon acceptance into the program).
- Be based in the Austin metro area.
For questions about the application process or residency details, please contact:
_OFCOLOR
📧 aplfellowship@ofcolor.org
Link to application and guidelines : https://austinpubliclibrary.submittable.com/submit