2025 call for proposals: curatorial research & development

Grants of up to $50,000 support the early stages of a project. Every curator begins differently: Some start in archives and collections, others in artists’ studios, and some develop ideas alongside programmatic partners. This grant is meant to offer support for these critical exploratory phases of curatorial work, independent of a public-facing component of the future project. We do not require that research and development grants lead to an exhibition or public-facing project.

Eligible research and development expenses can include costs directly related to travel, archival research, pilot projects, prototyping, and other exploratory activities, including convenings of colleagues, scholars, practitioners, and community members. In addition to funds for their own work, curators may apply for assistance for collaborators such as artists, programmatic partners, or catalogue contributors to create work that further informs the curatorial process. This grant can also cover personnel costs related to research assistance. Finally, it can provide institutional support to cover administrative or other needs while curators take leave to conduct their research. This use can comprise up to 60% of the requested award.