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Curatorial Intensive South Asia 2025
Curatorial Intensive South Asia (CISA) is is an initiative of Khoj International Artists’ Association and Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan. for young curators from South Asia. It is a fully-funded fellowship programme in the field of curatorial practices relevant to South Asia in the visual arts. The program aims to develop a diversity of perspectives on the medium of the exhibition and to provide a structured and an experimental inquiry into the possibilities of curatorial practice today.
About this edition
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi and Khoj International Artists’ Association invite early and mid-career curators from South Asia to apply for the seventh edition of the Curatorial Intensive South Asia (CISA) programme.
This opportunity is open for curators from South Asia—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Five curators will be selected by an external jury to be a part of the programme, gaining access to mentorship from established curators and academics from the region.
This year the fellowship is divided into three phases:
Phase I (Curatorial Intensive at Khoj Studios, New Delhi)
A two-week intensive pedagogical programme where selected curators will be mentored by established curators and academics with an opportunity for studio/museum/gallery visits. Participants will develop and refine their curatorial projects through discussions, feedback, and research guidance.
Phase II (Project Development – Remote, Over Six Months)
Curators will continue developing their projects in consultation with the Khoj team with regular discussions and mentorship will help refine the final curatorial project.
Phase III (Final Project Execution – March 2026, Khoj Studios)
Curators will present their completed projects, which may take the form of an exhibition or public programme. The final projects will be developed in close collaboration with Khoj.
The CISA programme is designed for independent, self-driven curators eager to develop a strong research-based curatorial project while engaging with Khoj’s network of artists, researchers, and curators from across South Asia.
Meetings, studio visits, and other group activities that are a part of the fellowship will be organised by Khoj. This includes visits to artist studios, museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions. The participants will receive a daily allowance to help offset food and local travel expenses.
Curatorial Intensive South Asia (CISA) fellowship programme was conceived and initiated by Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi in collaboration with Khoj International Artists’ Association. The fellowship is for young curators from South Asia whose practice is situated in the field of the visual arts. The programme aims to develop a diversity of perspectives on the medium of the exhibition and to provide a structured and experimental inquiry into the possibilities of curatorial practice today.
Open for Applications
Please fill up this form to complete your application process
This is a fully-funded opportunity. Khoj and Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan will cover travel to and from New Delhi for both phases of the fellowship, a modest per diem for living expenses and travel will be provided. Each fellow will receive a showcase grant for the second phase, subject to the approval of the proposals by the jury.
Eligibility
- Applicants residing in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan & Iran) are eligible to apply
- The language of instruction will be English
- 5 applicants will be selected
- Applicants must have realised 2-4 curatorial projects
OR
- Applicants should have completed a course in the humanities (anthropology, art history, cultural studies, musicology, literature or other relevant fields.)
- Successful applicants will be chosen by a jury. The course will be held in Delhi, India.
Application Requirements
- A letter of motivation stating your personal drive as well as your expectations of the programme (max. 300 words)
- A curatorial proposal that will be developed during the course of the Fellowship (max. 500 words)
- An updated CV or Resume
- A portfolio of 2-4 curatorial projects; this can include texts, images, catalogues, etc.
- 2 reference contacts (Name, Relationship to the Applicant, Email, Phone Number)
All documents must be submitted in English.
Deadline: May 16, 2025
For any queries, write to us with the subject line ‘CISA 2025’ at applications@khojstudios.org
