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The Central Coast Emerging Curator Program is an 8-month professional development initiative to provide an early-career curator with hands-on experience in exhibition development, gallery operations and public engagement. The recipient will be provided with an industry mentor, a paid 12-week program working with the Gosford Regional Gallery Curatorial team, and the opportunity to curate a group exhibition showcasing emerging artists at the Community Gallery at Gosford Regional Gallery. 

The program is designed for New South Wales based emerging curators aged 18 to 30 looking to develop their practice, gain industry knowledge, and grow their professional networks.

The program supports:
•    curatorial research and development
•    exhibition planning
•    exhibition design and installation
•    community engagement
•    arts management 

The recipient receives: 
•    $2000 - Curator fee
•    $3000 – A paid 12-week program working with the curatorial team at Gosford Regional Gallery (1 day per week for 12 weeks @ $35.71/hour)
•    $1000 - Exhibition material allowance

Project Schedule

23 May 2026 – applications open
15 June 2026 – applications close 
22 June 2026 – recipient announced
July 2026 – Feb 2027 Exhibition development and mentor sessions
Aug, Sept, Oct 2026 – Gosford Regional Gallery 12-week program
Feb 2027 – exhibition opens at the Community Gallery at Gosford Regional Gallery

Please read the Terms and Conditions below before you begin your application. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligibility

Applicants must: 
•    be a resident of New South Wales to apply. 
•    not be a previous recipient of the Emerging Curator Program.
•    not be an employee of Central Coast Council.
•    be aged over 18 years and under 30 on the application closing date of 15 June 2026
•    be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident 
•    commit to the timeline outlined in the project schedule
•    commit to curating and managing a group exhibition supporting emerging artists for delivery in February 2027

Assessment Criteria 

Applications will be assessed against the project objectives and the following criteria: 
•    strength of applicant’s curatorial proposal and exhibition concept 
•    applicant’s previous curatorial or exhibition production experience 
•    value of the program to the applicant’s professional development

How to apply 

Apply with the online form

The form will ask for - 
•    personal details 
•    biography (100 words)
•    a curatorial or creative CV
•    a description of the proposed curatorial project (up to 500 words)
•    images with examples of curatorial/creative work 
•    image captions
•    links if sharing videos, audio files or websites 

Applications will be assessed by a curatorial panel from Gosford Regional Gallery. 

All applications will be notified in writing of the outcome by 23 June 2026.

Applicants should endeavour to-
•    abide by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design. Applicants are encouraged to read the NAVA Code of Practice https://code.visualarts.net.au/
•    ensure that their project will be accessible to people of all abilities. 
•    provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) number if working with children 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I apply as a collective? No. The Emerging Curator Program has been designed for one single curator. Collectives cannot apply.

Can I include my own work in the exhibition? No. For this project we are asking that the applicant be the Curator of the exhibition only. 

Can I apply if I live outside New South Wales? No. This program is for creatives who live in New South Wales.

Can I change my exhibition concept during the mentor program? Yes. Your proposed exhibition concept can be developed during the Emerging Curator Program. Your proposal can be a starting point of an evolving project.

Is there a budget for Artist Fees? Yes. Artists showing work in the resulting exhibition will be paid. A separate budget has been allocated for Artist Fees which will be paid in accordance with NAVA's fee schedule.

Do I need an ABN (Australian Business Number)? Yes. You will need an ABN to invoice Central Coast Council. If you don’t have one when applying, you can provide it later. 

Do I need Public Liability Insurance? Yes. If successful, you will need to provide a Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million. If you don’t have one when applying, you can provide it later. NAVA provides affordable options for arts workers.  

If I’m not able to submit my application by the deadline, can I get an extension? No. Late applications will not be accepted. 

For further information or if you are having issues completing your application, please call Gosford Regional Gallery on 02 4304 7550 or email gallery@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and leave a message.

Image: WolfeWiseCreative