Past Curatorial Fellows

The Cubitt Curatorial Fellowship is unique opportunity of research and curatorial experimentation in the field of visual arts is based on a 24 month residency at the renowned Cubitt Gallery, the only such scheme in the UK. The Curatorial Fellowship has pioneered an individual model and developed into a major platform for curatorial development, leading Cubitt’s reputation as an experimental, artist-led institution for nurturing, showcasing and reimagining emerging practice.  Since its inception in 2001, the Fellowship has supported 13 curators & collectives at pivotal points in their career and propelled the work of over 400 emerging artists and curators, many that are now shaping the art world.

Cubitt is an independent charitable organisation, consisting of a non-profit Gallery and Curatorial Fellowship, a large-scale, locally focused Education and Community Programme and affordable artists studios. Since its founding in 1991, Cubitt has run as a co-operative led by 30 practising artists, a diverse community of practitioners from a variety of backgrounds and at various stages in their careers.

The Fellowship provides an opportunity for learning and for professional development; the Fellow crucially delivers an individual perspective through a curatorial programme that sits in-between the artist-led and the institutional. Responding to the challenges and requirements of a small, independent organisation active on the London and international scene for the past 31 years, the Fellow is professionally invested in Cubitt as a member of staff, and draws from the incredible resources of the organisation, including its archives, education projects, partnerships and community of artist members.

The Cubitt Curatorial Fellowship is supported by Arts Council England providing a more accessible and substantial opportunity within the sector.

Past Curatorial Bursaries have been awarded to: Languid Hands (2020-2022), Louise Shelley (Jul 2018- Dec 2019), freelance curator and educator, Helen Nisbet (Jan 2017 – Jun 2018), freelance curator; Morgan Quaintance (Jul 2015 – Dec 2016), freelance curator, critic and broadcaster; Fatima Hellberg (Jan 2014 – June 2015), Artistic Director, Künstlerhaus Stuttgart; Jamie Stevens (Jun 2012 – Dec 2013), Curator, Artists Space, New York; Fiona Parry (Dec 2010 – May 2012), Programme Curator, Turner Contemporary, Margate; Michelle Cotton (Apr 2009 – Nov 2010), Director, Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn; Bart van der Heide (Oct 2007 – Mar 2009), Chief Curator, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Tom Morton (Apr 2006 – Aug 2007), freelance curator and writer, co-curator of The British Art Show 7; David Bussel (Sept 2004 – Feb 2006), freelance curator and writer; Emily Pethick (Mar 2003 – Aug 2004), Director, The Showroom, London; Polly Staple (Jul 2001 – Jan 2003), Director, Chisenhale Gallery, London.

Prior to 2000, exhibitions were curated on an ad hoc basis by a number of curators including: Penelope Curtis (Director, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon and former Director, Tate Britain); Matthew Higgs (Director and Chief Curator, White Columns, New York); Gareth Jones (artist); Stefan Kalmár (Director, ICA, London and former Director, Artists Space, New York); Gregor Muir (Director of Collection, International Art, Tate and former Executive Director, ICA, London); Giorgio Sadotti (artist), Richard Wentworth (artist) and Anthony Wilkinson (Director, Wilkinson Gallery) among others.