Open Call - Curatorial Residency 2025

Schwarz Foundation, Art Space Pythagorion, Samos

OPEN CALL FOR EMERGING CURATORS

JUNE 22 – SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
Application Deadline: 30 March 2025.

The curatorial residency supported by the Schwarz Foundation at their venue Art Space Pythagorion on the island of Samos is an opportunity for emerging curatorial professionals to gain experience in the day-to-day running of an existing exhibition.

Our history shapes the narrative of our culture. The 2025 summer exhibition will explore this theme at Europes borders and one of its oldest harbours, showcasing the lens of archaeology while challenging contemporary views of the field. More details about the Summer Exhibition will be available soon.

Residents are offered full accommodation in the Art Space, where the Foundation’s exhibitions take place, creating a vibrant living and working community. Residents will actively interact with the curatorial team and the artists during the installation of the exhibition. They will be provided an extensive briefing on the exhibition concept, curatorial practices adopted and the artists' intentions. At the start of the program, residents assist with the organisation of the opening and public program activities. Responsibilities include: distributing promotional materials, approaching local community members to publicize the show, assisting artists as they prepare for installing or realising their works. Once the exhibition is running, residents are in charge of the mediation of the exhibition, taking care of the operation of the space and being the public face of the exhibition. Each resident works daily shifts in the exhibition space to sell tickets, track visitor demographics, make information easily accessible to visitors, and update social media. Audience engagement is hugely important, so the willingness to freely and confidently interact with the public is necessary. Initiatives for engaging local audiences are appreciated.

Residents also maintain the space (assisting in keeping it orderly and notifying cleaning staff if there are issues), and ensure all artworks are properly functioning and ready to be viewed by the public. They are in charge of opening and closing the art space and - under the direction of the manager of the space - solve all issues that arise during the course of the exhibition. Throughout the course of the exhibition, residents are obliged to serve as documentarians, and producing weekly reports about the successes, failures, and challenges of the exhibition as well as mediating audience feedback. The production of parallel events (screenings, discussions, etc.) also falls under the purview of the curatorial residents.

Additionally, two of the residents will be responsible for the implementation of an educational program. Upon arrival in Samos, residents will be given specialized training by the Schwarz Foundation’s Education Officer, and will then be in charge of giving educational tours and running artistic workshops for the public and for organised teachers and students groups.

At the end of the residency participants are also asked to write a brief evaluation of their experience.

If you are interested to join the program in 2025, please send an email to Theresa Premauer and Sergio Zalmas to request further information: Info@schwarzfoundation.com

More details about the Summer Exhibition and the Residency Program will be available soon.

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GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Time Period: June 22– September 15

• Remuneration: full time 1.500 € - excl. taxes; Occurring taxes are covered by the foundation; Transportation to and from Samos are covered by the foundation

• Housing: Each curatorial resident has their own room and bathroom (no guests allowed because of security reasons), a shared kitchen (incl. washing machine), Wi-Fi, etc.

• Working hours: The residents offer guided tours at the Art Space 8h/per day (organised in shifts); additionally, they help with the installation and maintenance of the exhibition and they participate in the events organized by the curator (opening, discussions with the artists, educational program etc.). Each resident has one day off per week.