VisArts Emerging Curator Program 2026

VisArts invites applications from emerging curators to work with an experienced mentoring curator to develop and present an exhibition at VisArts in the Kaplan Gallery in the fall of 2026. The program is designed for emerging curators or artists with an interest in exhibition-making or curating. During the yearlong program, the curatorial team will conduct curatorial research, develop a cohesive and compelling exhibition proposal, develop writing skills for catalogs and other materials, develop budgets for executing exhibitions and programming, communicate with artists and lending institutions, design and implement educational exhibition programming and outreach activities, develop sponsorship and fundraising initiatives, oversee exhibition design and installation, and develop marketing and public relations materials.

Eligibility is open to artists worldwide. International applicants must be eligible to work in the United States; VisArts is unable to provide or assist with visas. There is no application fee. VisArts will provide the Emerging Curator with a $10,000 budget to cover exhibition costs and curatorial fees. Additional staff support for printing, promotions, and execution of exhibition programming is available. The program is one year and will begin in January 2026.

Application deadline: January 9, 2026. Finalists notified: January 16, 2026. Finalist interviews: January 20-21, 2026. Emerging Curator notified: January 23, 2026. Program runs January 2026 – January 2027. Emerging Curator exhibition: November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027. Mentoring Curator exhibition: July 31 – October 26, 2026. Contact: VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD 20850, 301-315-8200.