Open Call for emerging curators

The call is now live for New Curating 2026.NEW CURATING 2026 | CCA Derry~Londonderry & Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive

CALL FOR EMERGING CURATORS

New Curating 2026 provides an opportunity for an emerging curator to develop a new exhibition in CCA & Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive, with mentoring and technical support from CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive Curator Sinéad Bhreathnach-Cashell.

CALL FOR CURATORS

This Open Call is seeking applications from early-career curators interested in developing an exhibition inspired by Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archives.

The opportunity includes a curatorial research residency working remotely with the Digital Film Archive in spring/summer 2025 and budget to produce the exhibition in January–March 2026.

The project budget can support up to three artists presenting new and existing work. Two artists will have the opportunity to participate in supported research residencies with the Digital Film Archive and additional mentoring from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive Curator Sinéad Bhreathnach-Cashell. At least one of the artists must be from/in the north of Ireland.

New film work will be screened at both CCA and available online through the Digital Film Archive.

Timeline:

30 January 2025 - Open Call launches
25 February 2025 - Open Call closes
18 March 2025 - Curator selected
April–June 2025 - Curatorial residency period with Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive, initial meetings with CCA & Northern Ireland Screen
May–September 2025 - Artist residencies
January 2026 - install and launch exhibition
March 2026 - exhibition closes

About CCA Derry~Londonderry

CCA Derry~Londonderry is the leading art space dedicated to supporting emerging visual artists for artists from Northern Ireland and their international peers. CCA is located within the historic city walls of Derry~Londonderry, the second city of Northern Ireland that sits on the border with the Republic of Ireland. CCA is artist-centred with recent exhibitions featuring artists such as Susan Hughes, Michael Hanna, Bojana Jankovic, Laura Wilson, Alberta Whittle, Grace McMurray, Anne McCloy and Femi Dawkins, Sally O'Dowd, Larry Achiampong, David Blandy, Kwok Tsui and many more. CCA is a member of the Plus Tate Network. You can read more about CCA at CCADLD.org.

The research residency will include: An introduction to the content of the archives; time to explore/research the online archive; guidance on the restrictions of using archive material in your project; discussions with the curator about your interests and practice. This can all take place online.

We are seeking Applications from emerging curators based in or from Northern Ireland.

Participating curators will receive:

– mentoring and support from CCA and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive
– access to Derry~Londonderry and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive networks and resources
– exhibition January–March 2026 at CCA Derry~Londonderry
– stipend of £1000 plus travel and modest materials support
– project budget including 3 x artist fees and production costs.

*if you are not based in Northern Ireland please note our travel budget is calculated for travel within Northern Ireland.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please complete the application form*, Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and email it with a current CV to info@CCADLD.org using the subject heading NEW CURATING 2026 APPLICATION + YOUR NAME by 25 February 2026, 23:59 GMT, or by post to:

NEW CURATING 2026, CCA Derry~Londonderry, 10–12 Artillery Street, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6RG, Northern Ireland

Application Form Word doc | PDF
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Word doc | PDF

* Curators with access requirements applying to CCA opportunities are warmly invited to email info@CCADLD.org to let us know of any access requirements you may have to reduce barriers in making your application.

Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City and Northern Ireland Screen.