Young Curators 2027-2028

Closing date - 30th November, 9am 2026
In-person Recruitment Day – 10 Dec 2026
Online Interviews - 14 Dec 2026

Please feel free to contact us at View email address on recruitment.factoryinternational.org if you require any support in completing your application

About the Programme

Curation, from Latin: cura, meaning 'to take care of, look after’.

Noun: the process of selecting artistic/creative work, performers or performances to be shared as part of a show, exhibition or event. 

The Young Curators programme is an opportunity for six young creatives to work with and learn from leading industry professionals and artists to explore contemporary curation and work towards a commission at Aviva Studios in 2028. Throughout the programme you will participate in workshops, talks and programming to expand your curatorial knowledge, develop key skills, and grow your confidence and networks. 

As a young curator you will bring new insights and perspectives challenging current curatorial practice and directly influence how Factory International engage younger audiences in their programming and commissioning. 

This project seeks to address the underrepresentation of young people in curation and the arts more broadly. We encourage young people with an interest in art, culture and curation, or experience of organising a creative project or event that engaged the public. You might be curious about how creative work is selected, presented and experienced by audiences, and have ideas about what curation could look like. Your experience can be institutional or grassroots, formal or informal, and you will ideally be in the early stages of exploring this area. 

As a Young Curator, you will: 

• Receive a bursary of £1,200 

• Receive £200 each to spend experiencing art 

• Meet regularly as a collective and build a strong peer network 

• Establish a meaningful network of artists, curators and leaders 

• Share inspirations and develop creative ideas with industry experts  

• Develop your self confidence, industry knowledge and event management skills. 

• Develop practical experience and skills in curation providing a pathway into the creative industries. 

• Influence the future of curation at Factory International 

• Work towards a commission at Aviva Studios in February 2028 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Based in Manchester or Greater Manchester 

• Aged 18-30 yrs, including those who turn 31 during the programme 

• Underrepresented in the creative industry 

• Not in full-time education 

• Available on all delivery dates 

• Have a demonstrable interest in curation and visual or performing arts, or experience in organising or programming arts or community events and exhibitions 

• Willing to experiment, push boundaries, reflect and work collaboratively 

• An ability to advocate for young people’s voices and inclusion in the arts. 

If you think you may be eligible but aren’t sure, please contact View email address on recruitment.factoryinternational.org for further support. We’re aware of the barriers young creatives may face within the creative industry, and we don’t want that to stop you from accessing this opportunity.

When applying please do not rely solely on ChatGPT/AI software for your answers as it may not fully reflect your skills and experience and how they align with this role and we may decide to discount your answer if we believe it is solely generated by AI.