Open call for applications for Exhibition Assistant Exchange Programme

The partners of the Nordic-Baltic Curatorial Research Programme (NBC) – the Center for Contemporary Arts, Estonia, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, and CRIS, The Nordic Art Association, Sweden –  are inviting emerging art professionals of the region to apply for the 2019 exhibition assistant exchange programme, which takes place at three national pavilions at the 58th Venice Biennale. 

The deadline for applications is January 15, 2019. 

The Exhibition Assistant Exchange Programme is an opportunity for emerging curators and art professionals to gain work experience and be part of preparing and producing a major art event. The programme offers paid internship opportunities for young art professionals and promotes co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Applications are invited from curators and art managers. Recent graduates are welcome to apply. The assistant will work closely with an appointed supervisor, supporting them in various responsibilities related to exhibition and event production, management and communication.

The 2019 partner events are three national pavilions at the 58th Venice Biennale. The internships take place between mid-March and mid-May 2019:

-  The Finnish Pavilion 
The Finnish Pavilion exhibition, commissioned and produced by Frame Contemporary Art Finland, will open on 8 May 2019 in the Giardini. The assistant’s tasks include assisting in exhibition and event production. The assistant is expected to work in Venice during the installation period and opening week from early April until 12 May. The total working time will be around one month, with a couple of preparatory trips to Helsinki in March-April.
 
-   The Estonian Pavilion 
The Estonian Pavilion, produced by CCA, Estonia will open on 10 May  2019 on Giudecca Island in Venice. The assistant is expected to work one month in Tallinn and one month in Venice. The applicant should be ready to work together with the team on given tasks but also to have the ability to work independently if needed. The tasks involve assisting the artist and helping with communication and production. 

-The Nordic Pavilion 
The Nordic Pavilion, commissioned by Kiasma / Finnish National Gallery, Moderna Museet and Office for Contemporary Art Norway OCA, and produced by Kiasma will open on 8 May 2019 in the Giardini. The assistant’s tasks include helping the artists and technical staff with the installation of works and finalising the production with the team in Venice, starting 15 April. During the opening week (4 - 11 May) the assistant will help in the production of the events. In addition to the 4-week period in Venice the assistant will attend an introduction day(s) in Helsinki.

Application process:
The deadline for submissions is 15 January 2019. Please file your application via opencall@cca.ee and specify your preferred order of pavilions. A jury consisting of all partners will then select three applicants, each of whom will work with one pavilion.

Documents to be submitted before the deadline (in English):
- CV
- Application stating preferred pavilion
- Motivation letter outlining the applicant’s interests in the selected institution/event
- Recommendation letter

Please note that we encourage applicants to choose an international project (e.g. Estonian-based applicants are advised to choose either the Finnish or Nordic Pavilion, not Estonia, and Finnish-based applicants should choose the Estonian Pavilion, not the Finnish or Nordic Pavilion).

Requirements:
- Higher education (at least BA level) in the field of visual arts
- Fluent English speaker
- Must be based in Estonia, Finland or Sweden
- Job experience in the visual arts will be regarded as an advantage
 
The Programme offers a scholarship of €2400 plus return travel costs for each participant. The local partners will help with accommodation arrangements for the participants in Helsinki and in Tallinn. The applicant must be willing to work in Venice for a couple of weeks during the internship period. Accommodation in Venice and travel tickets will be covered. 

About the national pavilions: 

The Finnish Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale will host the Miracle Workers Collective (MWC). The MWC is formed and informed by artists, filmmakers, writers, intellectuals, performers, and activists. Its founding members include Curator Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, artist and activist Outi Pieski, Associate Curator Giovanna Esposito Yussif, Associate Curator Christopher Wessels and spatial designer Lorenzo Sandoval. The exhibition in the Pavilion of Finland is commissioned and produced by Frame Contemporary Art Finland.

The Estonian Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale will feature an exhibition by Kris Lemsalu. The working title of the project is FUNTAIN. The Estonian pavilion exhibition will open next May in Venice, in a spectacular industrial building on the island of Giudecca. Estonia’s participation in the Venice Biennale is organised by the Center for Contemporary Arts, Estonia.

The Nordic Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale presents “Weather Report: Forecasting Future” featuring the work of artist collective nabbteeri from Finland, Ane Graff from Norway and Ingela Ihrman from Sweden. The commissioner of the 2019 Nordic Pavilion will be the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma / Finnish National Gallery. The exhibition will be curated by Kiasma’s director Leevi Haapala and curator Piia Oksanen. The co-commissioners of the other Nordic countries are Moderna Museet’s co-director Ann-Sofi Noring and Office for Contemporary Art Norway’s (OCA) director Katya García-Antón.
 
The programme is supported by the Nordic Culture Point.
 
Additional information:
Kaarin Kivirähk
Center for Contemporary Arts, Estonia
opencall@cca.ee