2018
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is pleased to announce Sydney-based emerging curator Michael Do as the 2018 recipient of The Freedman Foundation International Scholarship for Curators.
Esther Anatolitis, Director of NAVA said “I’ve been so impressed with Micheal’s trajectory so far – and I’m delighted that he’s earned the Freedman Scholarship this year. Micheal’s curatorial practice actively supports artistic agency and self-organisation, and I look forward to following his adventures across China, South Korea and Japan. My congratulations to all of this year’s applicants, and my deep thanks to the Freedman Foundation for their deep commitment to contemporary artists.”
Micheal Do is a curator and cultural producer based in NSW. His curatorial focus lies in developing thematic and immersive exhibitions that extrapolate research and artistic practices into contemporary contexts.
On receiving the Scholarship, Do said, “I'm so thrilled to have been selected as the 2018 Freedman Grant recipient. My period of travel throughout Japan, Korea and China represents an incredible opportunity to learn, discover and exchange ideas with artists, curators and publishers who are producing transformative content in the region and beyond. Asia is a hotbed of energy and activity that is fostering communities of buoyant and disruptive thinking. I can't wait for the conversations that await me.”
Now in its thirds year The Freedman Foundation International Scholarship for Curators is a NAVA initiative which supports an early career curator, or curatorial collective with $8,000 to undertake an overseas mentorship, residency and/or develop their own program which may include establishing networks, researching current international practices and engaging with international exhibition programs.
His exhibition Soft Core, developed for Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Sydney, is currently touring 13 regional and rural galleries throughout New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Micheal has previously held the position of Producer of Creative Programs at The Red Room Company; Exhibition Manager at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest; Parade Coordinator (Community Engagement) at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; Exhibitions Manager at Liverpool City Council Library; and Programs Officer at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. His recent curatorial projects include, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW (2015) at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, and Solid State (2015) at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Not Niwe, Not Niwe, Not Neu (2017) at 4A Centre for Contemporary Art.
His exhibition, 5X5: artist and patron, a survey of 5 Sydney based artist-collectors relationships is on view at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest until 20 May 2018.
2017
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is pleased to announce Darwin-based emerging curator Amina McConvell as the 2017 recipient of The Freedman Foundation International Scholarship for Curators.
Penelope Benton, General Manager of NAVA said, “We are thrilled to announce Amina McConvell as this year's recipient, an exciting independent and early career curator who will undertake two international research and development residencies at 98B Collaboratory (Philippines) and LIR Space (Yogyakarta) over 42 days (21 days in each location) from October 2017.”
McConvell is also a creative producer, community arts worker & visual artist. Her curatorial practice focuses on cross-cultural collaborations and project development that create opportunities for exchanges between Southeast Asian artists and artists in the Northern Territory.
Receiving this award McConvell said, “These residencies represent an exciting professional development opportunity and will contribute to my role as lead curator of the 2017 ASIA IN DARWIN international residency program. I express my sincere gratitude to NAVA and The Freedman Foundation for this opportunity and support, I can't wait to get started.”
Now in its second year The Freedman Foundation International Scholarship for Curators is a NAVA initiative which supports an early career curator, or curatorial collective with $8,000 to undertake an overseas mentorship, residency and/or develop their own program which may include establishing networks, researching current international practices and engaging with international exhibition programs.
About Amina McConvell
Amina McConvell is a Darwin based, independent curator, creative producer, community arts worker & visual artist. Amina is the creative producer of Arts Access Darwin at Darwin Community Arts (DCA), supporting the production of projects led by artists with disability. Amina is the founder and director of the Free Space Studio a visual arts studio for artists with intellectual disabilities in Darwin.
2016
The Freedman Foundation and NAVA are pleased to announce Megan Monte as the 2016 winner of the Freedman Foundation International Scholarship for Curators. Megan will undertake a curatorial residency with Studio Voltaire to participate in the Associates Scheme. During this time she will also develop an exchange project and undertake extensive research by accessing archives into emergent and social engaged practice in Europe, which will inform curatorial projects exploring social and community resilience.
