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.

About the Programme:

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.

Application Deadline: May 16, 2025

To apply, 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. All documents must be submitted in English.

For any queries, write to KHOJ with the subject line ‘CISA 2025’ at [email protected]