Curatorial Mentorship Program

The Curatorial Mentorship Program is a national initiative of the ICCA designed to nurture the next generation of Indigenous curators through mentorship, collaborative exhibition-making, and critical discourse. Rooted in Indigenous knowledge, peer-led learning, and collective curatorial practice, this program fosters meaningful relationships between established Indigenous curators and emerging voices in the field.

About the Program

Through year-long mentorships, emerging Indigenous curators are paired with senior Indigenous curators to co-develop new exhibitions at partner galleries in Ottawa/Gatineau. The program supports ongoing research, writing, and dialogue, culminating in a series of exhibitions and public programs that reflect the unique vision and curatorial direction of each team.

The program includes:

• Weekly meetings between Mentors and Mentees

• Collaborative exhibition development

• Critical writing supported by the ICCA Digital Publications team

• In-person gatherings and mentorship intensives

• Exhibitions and panels presented as part of major events, including the ARCA Conference and the National Gallery of Canada’s quinquennial off-site programming

Stay Connected

Explore critical writing from the program through our Digital Publications portal. To stay connected with future programs, projects, and initiatives, follow us on social media and sign up for the ICCA newsletter, find this information on ICCA’s contact us page.