BEMIS CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS: 2024 CURATOR-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM

The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is now accepting applications from national and international curators for its Curator-in-Residence Program. Beginning January 2024, the successful candidate will participate in a one-year fully subsidized live/work residency as part of the Bemis Center’s acclaimed Artist-in-Residence Program. S/he will originate and present three exhibitions and related public programs inclusive of local and national artists. The Curator-in-Residence will work alongside residency and curatorial staff, and actively contribute to the overall vision of the Bemis Center’s renowned exhibition program. The Curator-in-Residence will be encouraged to work on independent research and other curatorial projects while in residence.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Curator-in-Residence is a full-time temporary position that will work closely with the Exhibitions Program team. S/he will be involved in all curatorial and administrative aspects of organizing three exhibitions over the one-year residency. Exhibitions should be original, conceptually rigorous, and exemplify the true breadth and experimentation currently defining contemporary art. The 2024 exhibition dates are: March 15–May 26, June 28–September 22, and November 29–February 23, 2024.
Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Research, artist and donor relations, exhibition design and installation, writing/editing of scholarly texts and didactics, budgeting, conceptualizing and leading public programs, and exhibition tours.
• The Curator-in-Residence studio is for single occupancy only; Bemis Center is unable to accommodate partners, children, and pets at this time.

Eligibility

• Residency opportunities are open to national and international arts professionals 21+ years of age, showing a strong professional working history.
• Students enrolled in an academic program during the time of requested residency are not eligible to apply.
• Bemis Center welcomes internationally based arts professionals to apply.
• A working knowledge of English is helpful for international artists, as an interpreter will not be provided.
• Upon notification of acceptance to the residency, the selected individual will be responsible for preparing and submitting the required personal employment visa materials by July 2024. A P-3 visa is recommended. Please visit the USCIS website for more information: www.uscis.gov.
• The Bemis Center will provide appropriate documentation and materials to supplement the visa application process. Due to the current state of temporary, immigrant travel policies to the United States, we are unable to guarantee approval. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. As an international call the Bemis Center strives to support applicants from any country
• Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and disability.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in curatorial or museum studies, art history, or related field; or five years equivalent professional work experience in the field;
• A minimum of 1-2 years of curatorial experience in an academic, nonprofit, and/or commercial gallery setting;
• Strong knowledge of international contemporary art and a keen interest in understanding and working with Omaha’s cultural landscape;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Creative and strategic thinker with the capacity to take initiative and to work independently as well as a team player in a fun, yet demanding, arts organization;
• The ideal candidate will understand and promote the Bemis Center’s mission and, as an ambassador of the organization, perform all Bemis-related duties in a professional, responsible manner.

Fees & Benefits:
Submission of applications are only accepted online at bemis.slideroom.com
There is no fee to apply.
The selected Curator-in-Residence will receive:

• an annual amount of $36,600, which includes a monthly residency stipend, a travel/research transportation allowance, and a monthly curatorial honorarium*.
• The selected Curator-in-Residence will be offered a relocation allowance up to $2,000.**
• The Bemis Center provides free, onsite lodging in a sizable, well-appointed live/work studio with private bath and kitchen including complimentary utilities, laundry, WiFi and free parking.
• The Curator-in-Residence will work within a fast-paced, team environment with the Bemis Center staff, volunteers, interns, and Board of Directors, and have access to a dedicated gallery: approximately 2,000 square feet; 12 1/2 foot ceilings, and concrete floors.

*Miscellaneous income is subject to reporting on Form 1099.
**Curator-in-Residence will organize personal travel and moving costs to and from Omaha, Nebraska.
Application Review Process:
SlideRoom will confirm receipt of your submitted application. Applications are reviewed by a rotating panel represented by national and regional arts professionals such as artists, curators, academics, and/or critics. The review process will take 6-8 weeks from the application deadline. Notifications to all applicants will be sent via email after the selection panel has made its final decision.
Application Form Requirements

1. Personal website
2. Résumé / CV (pdf)
3. Cover Letter: A one-page cover letter outlining curatorial interests, professional experience, and what you aim to accomplish in a one-year residency at the Bemis Center.
4. Critical or curatorial writing sample (500 words)
5. Didactic writing sample for a ‘general’ audience (500 words)
6. Three professional references: Please provide the name, email, and phone number, as well as your relationship to each. Letters of recommendation are not required. Should the selection panel choose your application, your references will be contacted by the Bemis Center.
7. Please list the first and last names of up to ten artists that you have directly worked with in the last five years.
8. Include websites if applicable. Artists may have been involved in recently curated exhibitions, reviews, or essays.
9. Visual Portfolio: Include five media samples of curated works completed in the last five years. Do not include text-based work or multiple page pdfs as a media sample.

• Images should be sized no larger than 5MB each.
• Video samples should be sized no larger than 250MB each and five minutes in length or less.
• Audio samples should be sized no larger than 30MB each and five minutes in length or less.
• Include title, year, location, and pertinent details. Media descriptions may also be included. (100 word max.)

When uploading video or audio files, please use the following formats:

• Videos: .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg, .mpg, .mkv
• Video samples should not exceed five minutes in length, 60Mb
• 3D Models (embedded): .blend, .3ds, .dae, .obj, .fbx, .dwf, .osg, .osgt, .osgb, .ive, .lwo, .lws, .ply, .wrl, .iv, .shp, .stl, .bvh, .flt, .ac, .x, .dw, .3dc, .geo, .gta, .kmz, .vpk
• Audio: .mp3, .wma, .ogg, .flac
• Documents (10MB each): .pdf

About Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
Founded in 1981, by artists for artists, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts supports today’s artists through an international artist-in-residence program, temporary exhibitions and commissions, and innovative public programs. Located in the historic Old Market district, the Bemis Center serves a critical role in the presentation and understanding of contemporary art, bridging the community of Omaha to a global discourse surrounding cultural production today.
The deadline for applications is 31 May 2024
For more info about the program visit the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art site
If you have questions about accessibility, please contact the Residency Program Manager, Holly Kranker hollyk@bemiscenter.org.