Innovative curatorial fellowship to amplify representation of Black Canadian curators

Ottawa Black Art Kollective, National Gallery of Canada and Ottawa Art Gallery come together to provide springboard for next generation of local Black curatorial talent

The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) and the Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK) today announced a groundbreaking partnership designed to enrich the national arts ecology and support the career growth of emerging Black curators in the National Capital Region.

At the heart of this collaboration is the Curatorial Fellowship Program, which offers mentorship, professional development and hands-on curatorial experience across two leading visual arts institutions. The initiative, which began in 2021 between OAG and OBAK and which now includes the NGC’s national and international mandate, is driven by proactive engagement and a grassroots approach. Leveraging the resources of the three partners, the Program aims to empower emerging curators who identify as Black/African descent. It also seeks to increase the representation of Black curators and visual artists in the National Capital Region art scene, while contributing to the vibrant story of Canadian art.

“We are thrilled our award-winning Curatorial Fellowship collaboration with the OAG has now expanded to include the NGC. This growing partnership showcases the value of community-based expertise in developing innovative and artist-led models for Canadian visual storytelling. Our OBAK team looks forward to supporting the 2025-26 Fellow in their debut as an Emerging Curator in the National Capital Region… and beyond,” said Evelyn Duberry, artist and OBAK Director.

“This expanded partnership with OBAK and the NGC builds on years of collaboration and mentorship, which are central to OAG’s mission. Together, we are committed to ensuring that emerging Black Canadian curators have the support and platform to help shape and expand cultural practice, on both a local and national level.” added OAG Director and CEO Alexandra Badzak.

“I am thrilled we are partnering with the Ottawa Black Art Kollective and the Ottawa Art Gallery on a new grassroots way of working with the arts community. I really believe that, together, we can advance the representation of Black artists in our communities and help shape a more expansive future for the visual arts,” said Jean-François Bélisle, NGC Director and CEO. “I hope this innovative approach will create valuable exchanges of expertise between organizations and the next generation of Black Canadian curators.”

The selected fellow will gain experience in curatorial practice, at both a local and national level, by collaborating with OBAK and by working under the guidance of curatorial leads at OAG and the NGC. The one-year, paid fellowship will begin this Spring and will be conducted in two phases: the curator will first curate an exhibition at the Ottawa Art Gallery, followed by a curatorial research opportunity and public programming development at the National Gallery of Canada during the fall and winter.

How to apply

Interested candidates can visit the OAG website for additional details about the Program, eligibility requirements and the application submission process. The application deadline is April 9, 2025.

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Véronique Couillard, Media Relations
Ottawa Art Gallery
vcouillard@oaggao.ca

Pénélope Carreau, Public Relations Officer
National Gallery of Canada
Pcarreau@gallery.ca

About OAG

Our Impact

OAG tells the story of our community’s evolution through art and helps to create a positive vision for our city’s future. As a cultural anchor in the downtown core, we are a sustainable and innovative institution that promotes equity, anti-racism and accessibility through art. We are a positive economic contributor to the City of Ottawa and hold a world-class collection of art for the people of the region.

Our Vision

We believe that regional artists offer us a unique vision of our society, and although grounded within a specific geography, play an essential role in addressing and helping us to understand the complex, global challenges of our time. Our exhibitions present regional art within a national and international context, and our programs reach patrons and participants from toddlers to seniors. OAG also “holds space” for communities and we strongly believe in interdisciplinary collaborations and partnership.

About the NGC

Founded in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada is among the world’s most respected art institutions. As a national museum, we exist to serve all Canadians, no matter where they live. We do this by sharing our collection, exhibitions and public programming widely. We create dynamic experiences that allow for new ways of seeing ourselves and each other through the visual arts, while centering Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Our mandate is to develop, preserve and present a collection for the learning and enjoyment of all – now and for generations to come. We are home to more than 90,000 works, including one of the finest collections of Indigenous and Canadian art, major works from the 14th to the 21st century and extensive library and archival holdings.

Ankosé  –  Everything is connected – Tout est relié

About OBAK

The Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK) is a collaborative group of artists and patrons committed to increasing the visibility and professional development of Black curators and visual artists in the National Capital Region. Our goal is to provide ongoing mentoring, networking, exhibition, and professional development opportunities to our members. Our vision is an artistic and culturally thriving National Capital Region where Black artists and curators can flourish and achieve their full potential.