The Emerging Curators Programme is an exciting training programme in partnership by CVAN London and Brent Council to equip emerging curators with the essential skills to curate creative learning and exhibitions at the Willesden Gallery, located within The Library at Willesden Green.
The programme provides emerging curators with bursaries to participate in a comprehensive training programme providing hands-on experience of curation, creative learning, resource management, communications, networking and community engagement.
The second iteration of the programme will offer 8 bursaries for aspiring curators to participate in a year of professional development. The programme prioritises applications from creatives currently underrepresented in the sector and this year, will be open to interested applicants from across London.
Year II will explore Curating Practice: With the gallery space in close proximity to the children’s library, the programme will pay attention to children as artists, makers, co-creators and audiences in its use of language, imagery, themes, creative learning and participation.
We are proudly delivering Emerging Curators in partnership with the Government Art Collection, UCL IOE Professor Andy Ash, NSEAD and community organisations, with more to be announced.
Apply to the programme here
Join CVAN London here
KEY DATES
- Deadline: Midnight, 15th August 2026
- Applicants Contacted: W/C 24th August 2026. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
- Curatorial Induction Days: 21st and 22nd September 2026 (10.30 am – 4.00 pm)
- Holiday Break: Please note, the office will be closed from 10th – 31st August
- Bursary: The programme is funded by Brent Council and Arts Council England. Upon successful completion of the programme, you’ll receive a bursary of 1000 (one thousand) pounds towards travel and expenses.
- Programme Completion requirements: You must be available to attend two induction days on 21st and 22nd September 2026, 80% of workshops/mentoring sessions and participate in the curation of three major exhibitions and one short exhibition throughout the training period
APPLICANT MUST:
- Be aged 18+
- Live, work or study in London with priority to the borough of Brent
- Have an interest in curating, social engagement and/ or creative learning in contemporary visual arts
- Be able to commit to the year-long programme
No previous curatorial experience is required.
Apply to the programme here
Appendices
2025 Emerging Curators Pilot Programme The 2025 Emerging Curator’s training was supported by artists, curators, creative learning professionals and university partners selected by CVAN London. Exhibitions included: individual artists and local creative networks; ORIGIN The Exhibition, a project delivered in partnership by UCL Policy Co-Design Lab‘ & CVAN London: A Murmuration III: A Festival of Compassion’ with UCL MA Art Education, Culture & Practice and the MA Museums and Galleries in Education; ActionSpace’s ‘Something Shared’ and ‘De-colonising Brent’, part of the Becoming Brent initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, curating untold stories and intangible cultural heritage, shedding light on the borough’s rich, diverse history.
CVAN London is a free-to-access research-led, sector support and advocacy network for artists, arts professionals, galleries, arts institutions, studios and art schools across London. It is one of nine regions comprising the national Contemporary Visual Arts Network.
Willesden Gallery at The Library at Willesden Green is a welcoming public gallery space at the heart of Brent’s cultural community. The gallery presents a year-round programme of contemporary exhibitions, events and creative learning activities, providing opportunities for artists, curators and local communities to connect, collaborate and engage with visual arts. As part of a vibrant civic hub, the gallery sits alongside one of London’s busiest public libraries, creating unique opportunities for participation, learning and cultural exchange across generations.
Established in 1899, the Government Art Collection (GAC) promotes British art, culture and creativity through displays in government buildings across the UK and in more than 125 countries worldwide. Its works are seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, making a powerful contribution to cultural diplomacy. Through an extensive public engagement programme, the GAC brings artworks into the heart of communities and works with UK and international partners to support creative exchange and skills development for young people.
Artist-Educator-Researcher Andy Ash is President of National Society for Education in Art and Design and Professor at UCL’s Institute of Education. He brings over twenty five years of history working in higher education with interwoven interests of art education, visual art practice as research and making, and transdisciplinarity, collaboration and a dialogic approach. UCL Institute of Education works to advance inclusive, equitable and innovative approaches to learning, creativity and participation across formal and informal educational settings
The National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) is the UK’s leading professional association for art, craft and design education. Representing educators, artists, researchers and cultural practitioners, NSEAD champions the value of creative education and advocates for access to high-quality art and design learning for all. Through research, professional development, policy engagement and sector leadership, NSEAD works to strengthen creative education and support the next generation of artists, makers and cultural leaders.
