AAMC FOUNDATION LAUNCHES CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ITS PROPEL PROGRAM

AAMC FOUNDATION LAUNCHES CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ITS PROPEL PROGRAM 

A COMPETITIVE FELLOWSHIP FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MID-CAREER VISUAL ART CURATORS IN THE VISUAL ARTS

New York, NY, May 11, 2023–AAMC Foundation has opened the next application cycle for its Propel Program, a multifaceted initiative designed to support and accelerate a curator’s mid-career advancement.  Formerly called the Mentorship Program, the Propel Program is the longest-running initiative of its kind, offering both training sessions and workshops as well as support through a professional network including a pairing with a senior curatorial mentor, a peer cohort, and alumni community.  Applications are now being accepted through June 1, 2023.

The Propel Program, throughout its history since 2014, has ensured diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging are core elements of its learning and engagement.  Past fellows have represented 10 countries, with nearly 60% from underserved race and ethnic backgrounds and over 90% identifying as female.  Since participating in the program, over 80% of the fellows have secured new and/or elevated positions.

The Propel Program created and led by AAMC Foundation, provides curators, with seven to ten years of full-time curatorial experience, the chance to investigate their career, its past, present, and future, through conscientious and inspired workshops, and a professional network for support and growth through a pairing with a senior curatorial visionary, a peer cohort, and alumni community.  A key element of the program is to amplify the individual curatorial voice of each Fellow to ensure that they are gaining access and opportunities to home in on the skills needed to succeed in the field, but importantly also learning to develop and advocate for their individual mission as a curator. 

Selected in a competitive, open application process and juror vetting, up to 10 Fellows are awarded the prestigious opportunity to participate in the established and respected program.  We encourage international and U.S.-based curators to apply who self-identify as being from underrepresented cultural, racial, ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or socio-economic communities.

AAMC Foundation’s Propel Program highlights:

• Multi-day in-person intensive in New York City, featuring leading voices within the arts community and behind-the-scenes tours, along with one-on-one career consulting
• Four to five virtual learning immersive sessions
• End of program interactive in-person workshop
• Full access to the 2024 Art Curators Conference, including in-person attendance, and invites to the Program Alumni Reception and Members’ Party, and full access to all activities
• Pairing with senior curatorial leader for one-on-one virtual guidance, along with shadowing on a multi-day visit
• Individual Membership in AAMC to connect with over 1,500 members worldwide
• Access to AAMC’s programs, including curator-to-curator gatherings
• Stipend to participate
• Full funding for all travel and accommodation elements (intensives, workshops, and mentor visits)
• Peer network of cohort, and network of nearly 10 years of alumni

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and AAMC Foundation’s President Circle.

ABOUT AAMC & AAMC FOUNDATION
The Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) & AAMC Foundation supports, values, and advances the work of nonprofit art curators at all stages of their careers through leadership and connectivity. The organization’s work is grounded on diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging (DEIAB) and seeks to recognize the full breadth of a person’s lived experience, self-identification (gender, ethnic, racial, and ability), and socio-economic background. We are a compelling leader and resource for those who care about the role of curators as agents of change, social impact, and multicultural understanding. Founded in 2001, the Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) today has over 1,500 members from over 500+ institutions in over 40 countries. Artcurators.org

Contact

Judith Pineiro, Executive Director,  judith.pineiro@artcurators.org