Application deadline: 6 December 2026
Fellowship duration: 9 August 2027 – 9 August 2029
We announce the global open call for the 2027 Asymmetry Curatorial Fellowship at SculptureCenter, New York. This is a two-year placement for an early-career curator embedded within SculptureCenter’s internationally active curatorial department. The fellow will gain comprehensive experience and knowledge in the planning, research, organisation and installation of exhibitions in a global leading contemporary art institution. The fellowship will further provide the recipient with the opportunity to develop and contribute to ongoing research, public programmes, publications and other departmental initiatives.
Building on the partnership established between Asymmetry and SculptureCenter in 2024, the 2027 fellowship marks the second iteration of the ongoing collaboration and reflects our shared commitment to supporting curatorial talent and fostering meaningful exchange across artistic and cultural contexts. SculptureCenter is known for championing under-recognised and emerging artists, providing direct support to the artists for the creation of new work. With an ever-expanding global network, Asymmetry is committed to supporting the next generation of curators and researchers with Chinese and Sinophone backgrounds to make valuable contributions to the arts ecosystem.
About the Curatorial Fellowship
The Asymmetry Curatorial Fellowship at SculptureCenter is established to provide an opportunity for an early-career curator to gain comprehensive experience in the planning, research, organisation, and installation of exhibitions in a leading art institution. Reporting to SculptureCenter’s Curator, the Asymmetry Curatorial Fellow provides assistance with ongoing research, exhibition development, public programmes, publications, and other departmental needs and initiatives. A distinct feature of the fellowship is the construction around, but not limited to, SculptureCenter’s signature In Practice open call programme. The selected fellow joins the SculptureCenter curatorial team in Long Island City, New York, and is a full-time, 24-month position from Aug 2027 to Aug 2029. The position is geared towards a practitioner with demonstrated knowledge of and experience with curatorial practice, cultural ecosystems, contemporary artists, and who identifies to any extent with Chinese and Sinophone cultures and backgrounds.
Alongside their placement at SculptureCenter, the fellow will become part of Asymmetry's wider community of curators, scholars, artists, writers, researchers and cultural practitioners. Joining a close-knit cohort of fellows and scholars, they will participate in ongoing peer exchange across Asymmetry's international network of partner museums and universities.
Throughout the fellowship, the candidate will also be encouraged to develop and present their own research. Through presentations, exhibitionary and discursive projects, publishing and collaborative initiatives, they will have the opportunity to test ideas publicly while contributing to Asymmetry's wider programme of critical inquiry, research, writing and exchange.
The fellowship builds on Asymmetry's wider programme of long-term institutional collaborations with museums and universities, including Tate Modern, Chisenhale Gallery, Nottingham Contemporary, The Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London), Goldsmiths (University of London), and the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA) at NYU, creating a connected framework through which fellows develop their practice across different institutional contexts.
About SculptureCenter
SculptureCenter leads the conversation on contemporary art by supporting artistic innovation and independent thought highlighting sculpture's specific potential to change the way we engage with the world. Positioning artists' work in larger cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts, SculptureCenter discerns and interprets emerging ideas. Founded by artists in 1928, SculptureCenter provides an international forum that connects artists and audiences by presenting exhibitions, commissioning new work, and generating scholarship.
Fellow description
Reporting to the Curator, the Asymmetry Curatorial Fellow will join the organisation’s curatorial team, and contribute curatorially to SculptureCenter’s In Practice programme, support exhibition research and development, public programmes, editorial projects, and other departmental activities related to SculptureCenter’s artistic programme.
This is an in-person role with three days in office (required) and, typically, two days work from home (contingent on on-site activities, events, and duties).
Key duties and responsibilities
• Contribute to all aspects of the In Practice open call process, supporting the 2027 and 2028 seasons (Aug – Dec 2027, and Jan 2028 – Aug 2028, respectively), and, in consultation with the Curator, co-curate several exhibitions in the 2028 season. Develop and coordinate public programmes and events and complete other administrative duties related to the In Practice open call
• Support the curatorial team in the planning, research, organisation, production, and installation of exhibitions
• Support the curatorial team in the planning and execution of public programmes and events
• Write and/or edit exhibition and public programme texts, and assist in producing press releases, gallery guides, wall texts, and other programme-related copy
• Support audience development around exhibitions and public programming, assisting in direct outreach to colleagues and other stakeholders in the field and completing other communications/publicity-related tasks
• Lead tours and walk-throughs for artists, visitors, and other special groups as needed
• Contribute to the curatorial research and assist the team in ongoing research projects
• Assist with publication development and production management
• Assist in curatorial administrative functions, including: preparing checklists, liaising with artists, estates, lenders, and others involved in exhibition and programme presentation, among other duties as assigned
• Introduce the curatorial department to artists whose work resonates with SculptureCenter’s mission and purpose
Qualifications
Open to an early-career curator with knowledge and experience of Chinese and Sinophone cultural ecosystems, contemporary artists, and curatorial practices, candidates for the Curatorial Fellowship should possess:
• 1–3 years of curatorial experience and demonstrated commitment to developing knowledge of international contemporary art history
• Knowledge and experience of Chinese and Sinophone cultural ecosystems, contemporary artists, and curatorial practices
• Experience working directly with living artists in the service of commissioning new works, developing exhibitions, and drafting content
• Interest and enthusiasm for working with a small, hands-on team of colleagues
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively work with colleagues across departments, artists, other art professionals, and SculptureCenter constituents
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
• Well-organised, detail-oriented, and excellent planning and implementation skills with the proven ability to handle a variety of responsibilities. The ability to manage and execute a variety of projects simultaneously is essential
• Exhibition work and curatorial writing are conducted in English; knowledge of a second language is preferred
• Familiarity and interest in emerging artistic practices
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with artists, the SculptureCenter team, external colleagues, stakeholders and donors, and the public in person, by phone, or in writing.
• Master’s degree or work experience equivalent in Art History, Cultural Studies, Curatorial, or relevant fields with emphasis in contemporary art.
• Occasional availability outside of usual business hours is required in support of public programmes and special events
We recognise that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed in this job description but may not meet 100% of the qualifications. If the majority of this job description matches your professional experience, we encourage you to apply for this role.
Fellowship timeline
• 6 December 2026: Open Call application deadline
• December 2026: Application shortlisting
• January 2027: Interviews for shortlisted candidates (online)
• Spring 2027: Recipient Selection
• Aug 2027: Recipient announcement
• 9 August 2027– 9 August 2029: Fellowship duration
Guidelines
• Salary
$55,000 per annum for the first year of the fellowship; then
$60,000 per annum for the second year of the fellowship
Benefits include health/dental/vision insurance (beginning the first day of the month following the employment start date). 401k with employer match.
Visa support is available on a case-by-case basis.
How to apply
Please complete and submit your application via our online application page.
Application materials must be submitted in English.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide two or three writing samples of 1,000 words or less. Writing samples may be excerpts from academic papers, exhibition texts, published criticism or reviews, and should represent how the candidate might contribute to SculptureCenter’s public-facing writing.
If you have any questions about the open call, please e-mail to asymmetry@sculpture-center.org
SculptureCenter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.