Moving Image curatorial development programme 2026 for early to mid-career visual arts curators (Fully Funded research trip to the UK) – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline:  18 January 2026

Applications are actually open for the 2026 Art Exchange: Moving Image curatorial development programme. Art Exchange: Moving Image is a collaborative, cross-cultural curatorial development programme designed to strengthen the apply of early to mid-career visual arts curators from Sub-Saharan Africa who’re partaking with shifting picture as a medium. The programme focuses on constructing curatorial confidence, fostering vital dialogue, increasing worldwide networks, and supporting curators to realise shifting picture exhibitions of their native contexts. The first iteration of Art Exchange: Moving Image ran in 2023-25.

Supported by the British Council, and delivered by Breinstorm Brand Architects, a strategic design and storytelling agency, and IQOQO, a digital platform connecting artistic and cultural sector professionals, the Art Exchange: Moving Image programme combines mentorship, expertise development, and curatorial experimentation throughout African and UK contexts.

Requirements

Applicants should:

• Be 18+
• Be primarily based in: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe
• Not be enrolled in full- or part-time formal schooling
• Be an early to mid-career visual arts curator (see definitions under)
• Be proficient in English
• Have a demonstrated curiosity in working with the shifting picture
• This programme is just not open to artists
• Currently maintain a sound passport, legitimate till 30 November 2026 
• Be accessible to journey to the UK in May 2026 (provisional dates 15 – 25 May 2026) Be accessible to make a UK visa application (with assist) between February and April 2026

Curators can imply: exhibition-makers, producers, practitioners, programmers who work in the visual arts house. i.e. Visual Arts practitioners, artists and designers who’ve put collectively shows, exhibitions, representations and/or convenings round the work of different visual artists for an viewers.

Benefits

• Up to six curators might be chosen to take part in a structured, year-long programme that gives personalised mentorship, skilled development workshops, networking Opportunities, and a completely funded research trip to the UK.

• Join a cohort of 6 peer curators from throughout the continent
• Work with an internationally recognised public artwork assortment
• Participate in an internet programme: obtain bespoke mentoring {and professional} development and assist from business leaders 
• Residency: attend a completely funded research trip in the UK in May 2026 (provisional dates 15 – 25 May 2026)
• Showcase: obtain a grant to ship an exhibition and programme for their native audiences, of artworks from native artists and the British Council Art Collection. (topic to permitted proposals and due diligence checks) 
• Engage: alongside their exhibitions, every curator will ship a public programme or workshop component for and inclusive of the native inventive neighborhood (e.g. artists, practitioners, venues)
• Network and collaborate: construct their networks throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and with artists and friends in the UK

Programme Commitment

Participants should commit to:

• Attending month-to-month on-line periods (Feb 2026 – Mar 2027)
• A one-week research trip to the UK (approx 15 -25 May 2026)
• Developing an in depth exhibition proposal after the residency week
• Delivering an exhibition and supporting public programme of their home nation going down between late 2026 and March 2027
• Fulfilling British Council grant settlement, monitoring and analysis necessities

How to Apply

• Complete the Online Application kind HERE

When submitting the on-line application kind you’ll need to add:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Curatorial proposal (max 2 pages)
• Signed letter of assist out of your proposed exhibition host venue
• All in English

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Art Exchange: Moving Image curatorial development programme