Visiting Research Curator of UNIDEE residency programs

Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte, along with UNIDEE Residency Programs, is recruiting a Visiting Research Curator to shape the research arc of the UNIDEE Residency Modules program for 2027/2028.

Founded in 1999 by Michelangelo Pistoletto, the residency program has hosted thousands of artists and cultural professionals from 52 countries, exemplifying what art historian Gregory Sholette considers “a far-sighted and vibrant investment in the future of innovative, intellectually stimulating, and socially engaged cultural practices.”

The Visiting Research Curator will shed new light on the core themes and questions that have underpinned UNIDEE Residency Programs since its inception—art for the responsible transformation of society, artistic practices in the liminal regions of the art system and other social spheres, and sustainability—through the lens of their own self-defined field of inquiry.

We are seeking proposals that take the trajectories of the UNIDEE Residency Modules in new directions while aligning with UNIDEE’s current focus on artistic research and production in response to ongoing ecological, geopolitical and technological challenges. Proposals may engage with themes such as the expanded field of artistic practice, research-based and process-oriented practice, and the conditions of cultural work and cultural workers. At the same time, we anticipate that the successful candidate will bring their own research interests and questions to the program, developing a distinct research trajectory through dialogue and collaboration with mentors, participants, the UNIDEE archive, and the wider context of Cittadellarte.

The Visiting Research Curator will conceive the overarching curatorial framework for the two-year research arc and design, plan and help deliver a minimum of eight weekly residential modules per year. Working closely with the UNIDEE team, they will identify and invite mentors and guests, contribute to the selection of participants, facilitate workshops, presentations, discussions, critiques and one-to-one meetings, and support communication with everyone involved before, during and after each module.

The role also includes documenting, evaluating and reflecting on the knowledge and experiences generated throughout the programme; conceiving and editing online or printed publications; and contributing to an international dissemination strategy for the research. The curator may also engage with other areas of UNIDEE and Cittadellarte, including collaborative activities with the Unidee Academy of Contemporary Arts and Learning Environments of Fondazione Pistoletto.

We welcome applications from curators with experience in socially engaged art and art in the public sphere, strong knowledge of international contemporary art, and experience in artistic research and innovative, collaborative and experiential educational formats. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to connect different fields of knowledge, foster international collaborations and partnerships, and engage critically and constructively with Cittadellarte’s vision. Excellent written and spoken English is required; knowledge of Italian is welcome but not essential.

The temporary appointment will run from November 2026 to December 2028. Compensation and contractual conditions will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s professional experience, starting from a gross amount of 22,000 EUR, excluding travel and hospitality.

Applicants are invited to submit a curatorial project proposal, a CV, a portfolio presenting up to three relevant projects, and two letters of recommendation. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm CEST on September 13, 2026.

For further information on the role, responsibilities, candidate profile, required presence at Cittadellarte, application procedure and selection process, please consult the full open call.