TransCuratorial Academy Phnom Penh - call for applications

Open international call for emerging curators to apply for the 3rd chapter of the TransCuratorial Academy (TCA) taking place in Phnom Penh on the topic of "Untranslatability" from September 30–October 7, 2018. The previous editions took place in Berlin and Mumbai. The TransCuratorial Academy is a project by KfW Stiftung in collaboration with local partners and institutions. The TCA Phnom Penh is realized in collaboration with Sa Sa Art Projects.

Application deadline: June 22 

The TransCuratorial Academy (TCA) is an initiative of KfW Stiftung with the aim of advancing international knowledge transfer, networking and the development of the transcultural and transdisciplinary curatorial discourse. Directed by Beatrice von Bismarck and Benjamin Meyer-Krahmer, the TCA brings together emerging curators in a mobile six-day format, focusing on key issues which gained urgency within contemporary curatorial practice under the conditions of globalization. Phnom Penh is the location of the third chapter of the TCA, following the ones in Berlin and Mumbai in 2017.

The topic of the TCA Phnom Penh is "untranslatability". By inviting Emily Apter, Professor of French and Comparative Literature at New York University, to give a keynote, TCA follows its aim to introduce vital terms from neighboring disciplines to the curatorial discourse. The keynote lecture and a workshop will provide the possibility to discuss the notion of untranslatability in relation to the curatorial. In addition the participants present selected projects and exchange their experiences and research with their peers. Encounters and discussions with protagonists of the local curatorial scene are a further important part of the TCA. Alumni of KfW Stiftung play a vital role in the TCA acting both as participants and hosts.

Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are up-and-coming cultural practitioners and scholars with a significant theoretical approach to and some substantive experience in curating exhibitions and/or related projects. Their application should document the ability of a critical reflection with regards to the conceptual framework of the TCA and show a distinct interest in current debates. The applicants should have a good level of spoken and written English, and should feel comfortable engaging in discussions in English. There is no age restriction.

KfW Stiftung covers the costs for travel and accommodation as well as per diems for the selected participants.

Application procedure
Application materials contain:
–Motivation letter containing description of current theoretical research and curatorial project(s) and specific interest in the TCA Phnom Penh (max. 1 page)
–CV incl. contact details and e-mail address (max. 2 pages)
–Documentation of max. 3 projects (each max. 2 pages, incl. images)

Please note that the indicated volume of the application documents is mandatory. Larger files will not be accepted.

Please send your application electronically to TCA Phnom Penh. Dropbox and equivalent providers will not be used, neither do we consider e-mail attachments.

For further inquiries please turn to Nicola Müllerschön, program manager arts and culture, KfW Stiftung: nicola.muellerschoen@kfw-stiftung.de.

Sa Sa Art Projects 
#47, St 350 (off St 95) 
Phnom Penh 
Cambodia 

www.kfw-stiftung.de 

About us
KfW Stiftung is an independent non-profit foundation set up by Germany’s state-owned development bank KfW in 2012. Its mission in the arts is to stimulate intercultural dialogue in today’s globalized world. It aims to advance exchange between those working in culture in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia by supporting local and international projects, such as residency programs in Berlin for artists and curators and writers’ workshops for authors in the Middle East.

Sa Sa Art Projects is a Cambodian artist-run space dedicated to experimental and critical contemporary art practices. Founded in 2010 by Stiev Selapak art collective, Sa Sa Art Projects operated from the historic White Building until 2017. At its new location, Sa Sa Art Projects has shifted toward a stronger engagement with Cambodian young artists and art graduates while continuing to build a deeper dialogue with artists within Asia through its creative education programs, exhibitions, its signature Pisaot artist residency, and other special collaborative projects.

Image: Maggie Jack, Khmer radio archive discussion, 2018. Photo: Sa Sa Art Projects.