Applicants must:

• Be a resident of Northern Beaches Council Local Government Area, or based in Sydney (artists from other locations are welcome to apply, however, no further costs will be covered, including accommodation and travel)
• Not be a previous recipient of the Emerging Curator Program
• Not be an employee of Northern Beaches Council
• Be aged over 18 years and be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Have no outstanding acquittals or debts owed to Council 
• Have a willingness to work to professional standards and checks (insurance, safety, etc)
• Commit to curating and managing an exhibition for presentation during the dates: Monday 16 – Sunday 29 September 2024. 

The Emerging Curator is expected to produce two key outcomes:

1. Exhibition - a public group exhibition at Curl Curl Creative Space during the dates Monday 16 – Sunday 29 September 2024.
2. Public program – at least one program open to the community and/or industry, related to the exhibition. For example, workshops, talks, performances, and/or tours.

The Emerging Curator must: 

• Agree to and sign the Emerging Curator Program Agreement
• Agree to abide by the Curl Curl Creative Space Terms and Conditions
• Provide a Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million.

For a detailed outline of roles and responsibilities for both the Emerging Curator and Council's Arts & Culture team, please see the document: 

• Emerging Curator Program: Outline of Roles and Responsibilities (PDF)

The Emerging Curator is responsible for planning, coordinating, promoting, managing, and delivering the exhibition and public program, and any associated events. Before submitting your application, please consider your own capacity to deliver the outcomes you propose, including your personal time and resources.

During the program, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to refine their exhibition plan and public program with support and mentorship from the Arts & Culture team at Council.

While supported by Council through mentorship and funding (as detailed in the Funding section below), the exhibition and public program are not official Council events and are the responsibility of the Emerging Curator.  

Applications will be assessed against the project objectives and the following criteria:

1. Strength and viability of the curatorial proposal, including:
   1. Exhibition plan
   2. Selection of artists/creatives
   3. Public programming and related activities.
2. Curatorial experience, including:
   1. Suitability of practice to opportunity
   2. Evidence of capacity to execute project outcome/s 
   3. Value of the program to the applicant’s professional development.

Notes:

• The exhibition must be a group show, involving a minimum of 3 artists and a maximum of 10.
• Proposals that specifically respond to the site and context will be looked on favourably. 
• The curatorial proposal and artists do not need to be confirmed as it is expected this will be refined through the program.

• Monday 5 February 2024, 10 am: Applications Open
• Monday 4 March 2024, 3 pm: Applications Close
• April 2024: Applicants notified 
• May – September 2024: Exhibition planning
• Monday 16 – Sunday 29 September 2024: Exhibition and Program/s
• October 2024: Evaluation and acquittal 

The recipient receives:

Council provides:

All other costs are to be covered by the Emerging Curator. 

Curl Curl Creative Space

Curl Curl Creative Space is a contemporary art space. It provides a platform for artists, and  a comprehensive program of exhibitions and public programs. It supports the development of creative and cultural programming on the Northern Beaches.

Read more about the venue, including technical specifications. 

The selected Emerging Curator is responsible for promoting their exhibition.

Council will support the curator with:

• Mentorship and advice on marketing 
• A media release shared with Council’s networks
• Social media posts, including sponsored posts up to a total value of $200, with the number and type to be determined
• Promotion in Council’s Arts & Culture email newsletter, Creative News, and MAG&M Instagram.

Apply with the online form in SmartyGrants: 
https://northernbeaches.smartygrants.com.au/emerging-curator-2024 

If you don't already have one, you will need to set up a SmartyGrants account. This will let you save and return to your application.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with an Arts & Cultural Development Officer before lodgment on 02 8495 7564 or creative@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.

Tips

• Read the guidelines thoroughly. Applications that align with the project objectives listed above typically rate higher. 
• Visit the venue, multiple times, if possible before applying so you know the space and its potential. See the program of events at Curl Curl Creative Space. 
• Start an application form and check what information you need to gather. You can save your progress and return to the form at any time. 
• Allow time to submit the form before the cutoff (3 pm, Monday 4 March) in case you have internet connection issues or last-minute questions. If you have any problems with your submission, contact the Arts & Cultural Officer. 
• Hardcopy applications will not be accepted. If you have access requirements, please contact us and we are happy to help.

Assistance

Support is available. If you need assistance, have access requirements or are seeking translator services, please contact the Arts & Culture team at:

Email: creative@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 
Phone: 8495 7564 (9 am - 5 pm, weekdays)

Support material is a critical part of your application.

You will be asked for:

• Curatorial/Creative CV.
• Examples of curatorial/creative work – up to 10 items. This may include images, video, or audio documentation from previous exhibitions, creative outputs, events, and/or activities. A single PDF with your portfolio is preferred, although you may upload photos as individual files. There is space to add links if sharing videos, audio files or websites.
• Your biography (100 – 300 words).  
• Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million. If successful, you will need to provide this before payment is processed. You do not need to provide this at the time of application, although there is the opportunity to provide it if available.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of arts and cultural representatives from the Northern Beaches Council.

All applications will be notified in writing of the outcome in April 2024.

The successful applicant will be posted on the Council website.

Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on their application from the Arts & Cultural Development Officer. 

Roles and Responsibilities
Please see the “Emerging Curator’s Responsibilities” section above.

For a detailed outline of roles and responsibilities for both the Emerging Curator and Council's Arts & Culture team, please see the document: 

• Emerging Curator Program: Outline of Roles and Responsibilities (PDF) 

Program Agreement
Successful applicants must sign a Program Agreement with Council outlining terms and conditions before commencing the program.

Payment Schedule
Council will not provide funding until a signed copy of the Program Agreement and valid invoices are submitted.  

Payments will be made in the following instalments:

See ‘Funding’ tab above for breakdown of funding. 

Reporting and Acquittal 
The Emerging Curator must provide an Acquittal Report no later than one month after the agreed completion date of the exhibition.

The information required in the Acquittal Report will be discussed with the Emerging Curator and a template will be provided.

The recipient will be required to provide evidence of expenditure in the acquittal form showing how project funds were spent. All receipts, including invoices for artist fees, should be retained.

It’s recommended the Emerging Curator document their exhibition process and experience. This will assist with composing a thoughtful and practically useful report. Examples of documentation include personal journaling, promotional material, media releases, audio, photographic images, and/or video. This material may also be used for future promotion of Council programs where consent is given.

The acquittal and feedback assist Council in improving future iterations of the program and is a useful tool for the Emerging Curator in consolidating learnings from their experience. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) 
Council follows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols and adheres to ICIP. We strongly encourage program participants to adhere to these in the delivery of their project.

Available on the NSW Aboriginal Affairs website.

Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts
This protocol guide from Creative Australia encourages self-determination and helps build a strong and diverse Indigenous arts sector. It provides a pathway for collaborations and the creation of new Indigenous work.

Available on the Creative Australia website. 

For further information, and to reach organisations associated with local Elders or seek initial advice on historical / local cultural aspects, these links may help:

• Aboriginal Heritage Office
• NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group 
• Create NSW: Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols
• Webinar from Creative Australia – using First Nations Protocols for Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts

Applicants should endeavour to ensure that their project will be accessible to people of all abilities.

Resources:

Accessible Arts NSW
The peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. They advance the rights of and opportunities for, people with disability or who are d/Deaf to develop and sustain professional careers in the arts and have equitable access to arts and culture across NSW.

Applicants are encouraged to use resources wisely in the creation and delivery of their projects.

Resources:

NAVA: Environmental Sustainability
Resources from NAVA, the National Association for the Visual Arts.

Theatre Green Book
Practical tips and comprehensive sustainability plans.

Sustainable Theatres Australia
A collective of theatremakers and administrators who are passionately dedicated to the mission of creating a more sustainable Australian theatre industry.

Julie’s Bicycle
A pioneering not-for-profit, mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate and ecological crisis.

Council’s policy on Single Use Plastics
We ask that projects adhere to our Single Use Plastics Policy.

If working with children, individuals must provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) number.

Apply for a WWCC Number through Service NSW.