Call for Proposals: The Curatorial Incubator, v.19: Islands in the Stream

Good Luck Counting Sheep, Khanhthuan Tran (2007)

Vtape Call for Proposals

The Curatorial Incubator, v.19:
Islands in the Stream

Submission Deadline: Tuesday, June 12, 2023

This year’s Curatorial Incubator invites proposals that consider the things that happen when 6,500 titles (and growing!) come together in Vtape’s care. How do works come to rely on each other? What surprising relationships form? How does Vtape’s catalogue continue to change, grow, and recontextualize? As collections are increasingly accessed as never-ending digital repositories, how can we interrupt the stream and create new moments, opportunities, or encounters for refuge?

Participants in The Curatorial Incubator, v.19: Islands in the Stream will have an opportunity to hone their curatorial skills through specialized workshops conducted by both artists and arts professionals; conduct independent research using the rich resources available through Vtape; write a curatorial essay for their program of selected titles, with invaluable editorial assistance provided by arts professionals; and, finally, present their curated programs to the public. If your proposal is selected for production, you will receive fees for both curating and writing, and a budget to cover the screening fees for the titles that are included in your program.

Research phase (July 17 – August 18) includes:

• workshops conducted by artists and arts professionals specializing in media arts;
• free access to the vast research facilities on-site at Vtape, with over 6,000 titles by 900+ artists and more than 2,500 publications on video art and artists;
• extensive access to the Vtape on-line preview resource, available only to curators and authorized researchers.

Writing phase (August 19 – October 6):

• working with an editor to produce a curatorial essay and full program notes for the catalogue that will be produced for the screenings.

Presentation phase (November) includes:

• an exhibition of all the curated programs will take place at Vtape with an introduction by the curator, and;
• a fully illustrated catalogue of all the programs, with curatorial essays.

Submission Deadline: Tuesday, June 12, 2023

Submit to Vtape at submissions@vtape.org
Please Include “Curatorial Incubator, v.19” in the Subject Line

Proposals must include:

• an up-to-date c.v.;
• a statement of intention (1 page in total) that outlines your interest in video and media artwork and why you want to be part of The Curatorial Incubator, v.19: Islands in the Stream (NOTE: your statement of intention does NOT have to include a list of titles you would include. Rather, it should try to clarify your overall area of interest. You will have lots of time to do your research to find the titles you want to include if you are selected for this program.);
• examples of critical writing you have done (published or non-published);
• examples of any curatorial or organizational work you have done.
• indicate your availability to attend workshops on Saturday July 15 and Sunday July 16, 2023. Workshops will be presented via Zoom.

And don’t worry: you won’t be held to your original proposal, but keep in mind that the jury will need to get an idea of what kind of work you are going to be searching for. Surprises are to be expected along the way. That’s what research is all about.

Send applications by email only, with the words “Curatorial Incubator, v.19” in the subject line.

Submit to Vtape at submissions@vtape.org

401 Richmond St., Suite 452
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
416 351-1317
vtape.org

Vtape acknowledges the generous support of all of our funders, including The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council.

Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram

Vtape is an Accessible Venue with level entrance at the EAST end of the building on Richmond St. West