Community Curator Program
The Somerville Museum invites applications for collaboration on public exhibitions at the museum. Up to two Community Curators will be selected each year and will receive a seed grant of $2,500 and exhibition space in the galleries at One Westwood Road, Somerville, MA. This program is supported in part by membership donations.
New Community Curator Announcements:
March 2024
Timeline: Selected applicants with the strongest proposals will be asked to interview with the selection committee in February 2024. The selection committee will then meet and make final decisions no later than the end of March 2024. The selection committee is comprised of staff and volunteer board members.
All applications must be submitted digitally; the application form can be found HERE
For frequently asked questions, FAQ
* Please join our mailing list to stay up to date for this call and deadlines.
The Somerville Museum is the City of Somerville’s mirror, playing a central role in preserving the past, reflecting the present, and helping to shape the future of this diverse urban community. Through its innovative programming, the Museum seeks to engage our audience in an on-going dialogue with local artists, scholars, and educators, with the larger aim of fostering cultural education and understanding.
The Museum welcomes proposals from those with extensive resumes as well as those with little experience yet ample vision. We encourage applicants to visit both the Museum and its website (http://www.somervillemuseum.org/) in order to learn more about the Museum’s wide-ranging exhibition history. Strong proposals should be clear and concise, presenting innovative and engaging ideas, along with an active programming agenda that will attract a diverse group of participants and visitors.
Selection criteria:
Proposals can be on any topic, but preference is given to exhibitions that incorporate a connection to the City of Somerville, past, present or future, and serve to enhance understanding and appreciation of the history, arts, and culture of the City. All submissions are welcome and will be judged on the quality of the proposal.
Creative use of artifacts/artwork and engaging exhibition design is important. Use of the Museum’s collections is encouraged but not required.
Collaboration with other artists, scholars, and like-minded local organizations is strongly encouraged.
Exhibitions should foster dialogue among local artists, historians and educators and the broader community to enrich understanding and lifelong learning. Innovative programming that engages diverse, if not new, audiences is therefore sought as part of every exhibition. Examples of programming include concerts, lectures, readings, film screenings, gallery tours, workshops, and talks at area schools.
Selected exhibits must be installed within two years of receiving the award.
Somerville Museum floor plan: [Click to download a floor plan of the galleries]
Additional Information:
Exhibition Information: Duration of exhibits is typically for 8-12 weeks.
Design: The Somerville Museum’s Pisa Gallery includes six (6) moveable walls, which can be rearranged to create additional space for seating during programs, talks and concerts. Exhibition materials should be securely affixed to these walls. The Sloane Gallery has moveable walls and all walls must remain in respective galleries.
Promotion: Curators are responsible for additional outreach and the design of promotional material, but all material must be approved by the Museum’s Graphic Designer.
Programming: Curators are expected to organize at least three (3) related public programs at the Museum to take place during the exhibition; past examples have included talks by scholars, panel discussions, and concerts. Curators might be asked to lead additional tours of their exhibitions for local schools, senior, and non-profit groups.
Meetings: Curators are invited to attend monthly Program Committee Meetings to discuss exhibition progress and design.
Funding:
Selected curators will receive seed grants of $2,500 from the Somerville Museum to assist with the costs of presenting the exhibition. Selected curators will be strongly encouraged to apply for additional grants in order to help with both installation and programming expenses.
Curators are responsible for additional fundraising as well as sponsorship from local sources to help offset costs of events.
Resources:
Selected curators will be guided by the Executive Director, Art + Culture Assistant, and Program Team. They will also have assistance from the Museum’s Graphic Designer and volunteers.
For More Information Contact:
Alison Drasner, Executive Director
For more information check out our FAQ page.
Current Community Curators
Bruce Owens (link coming soon)
Past Community Curators