CURATORIAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

AAMC Foundation’s Mentorship Program Advances Curatorial Leadership

Applications Now Being Accepted

The AAMC Foundation Mentorship Program, launched in 2014, provides a formative leadership experience for next generation curators across disciplines and backgrounds. The Mentorship Program has welcomed Mentees across 28 U.S. States and 9 countries, with 77% securing new and/or elevated positions since participating.

The Program is for nonprofit curators with a minimum of seven years and a maximum of ten years of experience, and provides opportunities to advance professional development, investigate important issues in the field, cultivate strong bonds with peers, and develop an independent working relationship with a Mentor. Through a competitive, open application process, up to 10 Mentees are selected. All Mentees are provided funding to support their participation in the program, including all travel and accommodation components, a stipend, and access to the Art Curators Conference.

Program highlights include: 

• Two-day In-person Learning Intensive: These two days, in-person, in NYC, will engage with speakers and leaders for key activities and tours. November 2022.
• Virtual Learning Residency: A virtual residency featuring a combination of live and recorded content will serve as an additional learning opportunity for the Mentee cohort experience.  There will be reading materials and videos to watch as part of this program.  January – February 2023.
• Interactive Workshop: The Mentee cohort reconvenes in-person at the 2023 Art Curators Conference for an in-person workshop facilitated by a guest speaker. May 2023.
• Partnership with a Mentor: AAMC Foundation pairs Mentors and Mentees based on the Mentee’s needs, field, location, and goals. After an October initial meeting, the pairings are expected to have a minimum of three video meetings between October 2022 and April 2023 and an in-person, multiple day visit between December 2022 and April 2023. October 2022 – May 2023.
• AAMC Network Access: AAMC will arrange a 1-year membership for each Mentee, giving full network access to all our professional development activities and website, which includes professional resources, webinar archive, field forums, and a member directory of 1,300 curators.  In addition, mentees have free access to our Art Curators Conference April 30 – May 4, 2022 in New York, NY, USA. At this time, we are planning an in-person and virtual hybrid model event.
• Dedicated Mighty Networks Site: This online community is a focused, interactive space for cohort communications and a homebase for important program information, including the schedule with Zoom links for residency sessions and a list of recommended reading, webinars and other resources.

This program is made possible through the generosity of Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Barbara Futter, Catherine Futter, the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the AAMC Foundation President’s Circle.