Emerging Curators Fellowship Returns with V&A East and Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
Deutsche Bank and Frieze announce the return of the initiative supporting emerging Black and POC curators
Deutsche Bank and Frieze announce the return of the initiative supporting emerging Black and POC curators
Purchase a limited-edition artwork by Yinka Shonibare
Following the successful launch in 2020, Deutsche Bank and Frieze announce the return of the Emerging Curators Fellowship, a new initiative supporting emerging Black and POC curators. The fellowship aims to increase accessibility, representation and social mobility within the arts. The initiative brings together artists and organizations across the non-profit and private sector and creates an opportunity to grow and deepen curatorial practice in some of the UK’s leading public art institutions. The initial fellowship was established in 2020 in partnership with artist Idris Khan and Chisenhale Gallery, a second fellowship was also established with BALTIC.
The 2021 fellow will work with V&A East, the V&A’s new national museum complex currently under construction in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The V&A East fellow will gain significant experience across the museum’s range of expertise, including areas such as community engagement and co- production, and pre-opening programme, gallery and exhibition development. Throughout the 12-18-month fellowship, the fellow will have access to mentoring sessions with the members of the Frieze team and Deutsche Bank business support.
Alongside Deutsche Bank funding, the fellowship programme will be further supported by proceeds from the sale of an artist-led edition. The 2021 edition will be launched with Yinka Shonibare, the renowned British- Nigerian artist and the coordinator of the 2021 RA Summer exhibition.
Shonibare will create a sculpture sold as an edition of 50 and priced at £1,500 + VAT each which will be available for purchase online at Frieze.com and at Frieze London, with 100% of sales proceeds benefiting the fellowship.
Inspired by the artist’s recent series of African masks, the work will feature one of Shonibare’s signature vibrant Dutch wax batik patterns, exploring the relationship between African aesthetics and western modernist expression. One edition of the work will be available in a prize draw, registration for the draw is free, with the opportunity to contribute a donation to the fellowship.
Purchase a limited-edition artwork by Yinka Shonibare or enter the prize draw
Yinka Shonibare said: The DB Emerging Curators Fellowship is very important because I feel that it will increase opportunities for Black curators within the art world. These placements can’t really be underestimated as it increases much needed representation and introduces new voices to the field of curation. I’m very much in support of that.
Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of V&A East added: Striving for equity and diversification in the arts can only serve to make our brilliant sector even stronger, can only help better reflect and take advantage of the talent and demographic complexity of our rapidly changing nation - ensuring that we are best prepared to address the challenges that await us. I’m delighted we’re partnering with Deutsche Bank and Frieze on the third Emerging Curators Fellowship, and grateful to Yinka Shonibare for his support and wonderful special edition. I’m looking forward to welcoming our new curatorial fellow to the V&A East team.
Purchase a limited-edition artwork by Yinka Shonibare or enter the prize draw
