Seminar in Curatorial Practice

Program schedule: The 2026 CCL/Mellon Foundation Seminar in Curatorial Practice will take place in New York City from July 5–17, 2026. 

The Center for Curatorial Leadership (CCL) is accepting applications for the 2026 CCL/Mellon Foundation Seminar in Curatorial Practice, open to art history PhD students in all fields of specialty. The two-week intensive provides students with an in-depth introduction to working in museums, combining exhibition and collection tours, conversations with curators and cultural leaders, and group exercises at New York City institutions. With the support of the Mellon Foundation, the Seminar provides a critical training opportunity for emerging curatorial professionals. Twelve to fifteen students annually receive the extraordinary opportunity to observe, analyze, and engage in the critical responsibilities of museums through a range of institutional contexts.

Eligibility
Candidates for the Seminar should be full-time students enrolled in a doctoral program (or its equivalent) in art history, or a related field of study with significant coursework in art history. Eligible candidates will have completed their oral examinations before the program begins and will have, at minimum, determined the topic of their dissertation research. Previous museum experience is common, but not required.

Cost
There are no tuition fees or direct costs associated with the Seminar. CCL is committed to ensuring that financial resources do not preclude any student’s application or participation. Round-trip travel to New York City and housing for the full two weeks of the program will be provided for students residing outside of New York City. In addition, CCL will provide all students with a stipend to cover the costs of transportation and meals not organized by CCL. 

For more information visit our website  or contact us at info@cclcurators.org.