Craft NB Biennale 2020 “Maritime Vernacular” – Call for Curator

Sep 27, 2019 | CNB News

Craft NB is seeking a curator for its Biennale exhibition titled Maritime Vernacular. 

The Maritime Vernacular is uniquely ours. It goes far beyond the kitschy tourist keychains of lobsters and lighthouses.  It is entrenched with a rich history and also a contemporary way of living in this place and on this land. We entertain in our kitchens and approach houses by the back doors. Self-reliance is a point of pride, but so is neighbourly bartering and community support. 

This exciting exhibition will be a culmination of craft and poetry.  Work will be created based on not only the theme, but also inspired by a poem written by the City of Fredericton’s Poet Laureate Jenna Lyn Albert. Once the final craft pieces have been selected, a group of poets chosen by the team at The Fiddlehead in partnership with the Poet Laureate will then respond to the objects. The poems and fine craft will then tour to various galleries and a professional catalogue will be created. As a Craft Year 2020, project pending funding the exhibition will be shown in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. 

We are seeking a passionate and driven individual who has past curatorial or significantly relevant experience and a deep understanding and passion for the Maritimes. 


The tentative timeline of the exhibition is:

  • Oct 18 2019: Curator application deadline ***DEADLINE EXTENDED TO: Oct 23 2019***
  • Oct 31 2019: Curator chosen
  • Dec 13 2019: Call for artists 
  • Mar 13 2020: Submission of artist statements, bios, and photographs of work intended for the exhibition
  • Mar 16/18 2020: Curator selects artwork from photographs to call for submission
  • April 10 2020: Submission of artwork deadline 
  • April 13 2020: Final work selected for the Exhibition
  • April 17 2020: Photographs of works to be shared with poets
  • June 26 2020: Submission of poems deadline
  • Sept 1 2020: Exhibition opens
  • Spring 2021: Exhibition ends

The curator’s responsibilities include:

  • Aid in preparing call for artists
  • Select artworks for the exhibition based on the given theme 
  • Gather and edit artist statements
  • Aid in photography selection
  • Provide information for promotional materials
  • Promote the exhibitions and share the information through social media platforms
  • Be available for media interviews
  • Design exhibition layout for each of the venues, please note this exhibition is looking to travel to 3 Provinces: Newfoundland, Nova Scotia or PEI, New Brunswick pending funding
  • Aid in the installation and transportation of work
  • Provide an opening speech at each exhibition opening
  • Assist with tear-down and transport of pieces from one location to the next (sometimes this can be quite physically demanding work)
  • Provide information as needed for Craft NB grant applications 

To apply for this position please send the following to events@craftnb.ca:

  • Cover Letter indicating why you are interested in this opportunity
  • Curriculum Vitae 
  • Short bio/profile of applicant
  • A brief statement on the theme “Maritime Vernacular” 

***NEW DEADLINE***
Application deadline: October 23 2019

The curator will receive a fee of $2000

For more information, please contact Craft NB at 506-450-8989, or events@craftnb.ca