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.
For more information visit https://visualarts.net.au/nava-grants/ or contact NAVA on nava@visualarts.net.au or 02 9368 1900.
About the Freedman Foundation
The Freedman Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation, which donates funding to the visual arts, music, medicine and science. Since 2000, through The Freedman Foundation Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Artists administered by NAVA, The Freedman Foundation has been a generous benefactor to 80 emerging Australian artists wishing to undertake travel to gain a valuable learning experience that will help to develop their professional practice.
Photo: Micheal Do in front of "the Meadow" by Tully Arnot.
