Open Call

Curatorial practices

Deadline : October 30, 2026, midnight

Centre Adélard invites curators from Canada and abroad to submit a proposal for its 2028 outdoor exhibition. This call is intended for curators interested in developing a curatorial project rooted in a rural context and exploring the possibilities offered by unconventional exhibition spaces.

The program combines a research residency in Frelighsburg in 2027 with the presentation of a group exhibition from May to October 2028.

Outdoor Exhibitions

Since 2021, Adélard has presented curated outdoor group exhibitions in Frelighsburg and the surrounding area. Unfolding across heritage buildings, everyday spaces, and natural settings, these exhibitions bring contemporary art into dialogue with the landscape, local history, and community life. They invite visitors to rediscover familiar places, explore lesser-known sites, and pay attention to the stories that inhabit them.

An in situ approach is central to this program. Adélard prioritizes proposals in which the curatorial approach, selection of works, and modes of presentation are developed in dialogue with the characteristics of the sites they occupy—their architecture, uses, history, and social or ecological dimensions. In this way, the artworks become points of connection between artistic research, a territory, and the people who inhabit it.

 

The Residency

The residency will span a total of four to six weeks, divided into two stays during 2027. The dates will be determined in consultation with the selected curator, based on their availability and the availability of Adélard’s accommodations.

This period will provide an opportunity to deepen their curatorial research, explore the surrounding area, identify potential sites, and meet with artists, partners, and other individuals who may contribute to the project. With the support of the Adélard team, the curator will be able to refine the exhibition concept, the selection of artists and works, and the conditions in which the works will be presented.

The Exhibition Project

Presented from May to October 2028, the exhibition will bring together the work of three to six professional artists.

The curatorial proposal must be developed specifically for this context and presented for the first time at Adélard. It may include existing works, new works, or a combination of both. In all cases, the selection and placement of the works must establish a meaningful relationship with the sites and contribute to the coherence of the exhibition as a whole.

The project must take into account the requirements of outdoor presentation, the duration of the exhibition, the uses of the sites, and respect for their surroundings. The exhibition sites and implementation details will be determined in dialogue with the Adélard team as the project develops.

  • A private apartment, located a short walk from the barn, is available to artists. It includes a bedroom with a double bed. It contains all conveniences necessary for the stay, including Wi-Fi Internet access. A washing machine and dryer are also available in the apartment, which is situated on the second floor of a century-old house and is accessible via a staircase.

    Thanks to the support of our partners and sponsors, this apartment is offered free of charge to artists for their six-week stay.

  • Frelighsburg, situated in the Eastern Townships near the border with Vermont, is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Québec. It offers fertile soil for creativity, with its wealth of nature, its lively cultural sector, the emergence of organic producers, and a commitment to ecology, sustainable development, heritage, and education. Frelighsburg is the ideal spot for the immersive residencies to take place in a spirit of accessibility and evolution that is beneficial to both the community and the contemporary artists. The project, based on dialogue and exchange, also takes place in a spirit of openness to the world made possible in this diversified, welcoming community.

 

Residency Support

The program includes:

  • A $1,500 fee for the research residency;

  • A $4,000 curatorial fee for the exhibition;

  • Logistical and production support provided by the Adélard team;

  • Private accommodation during the residency stays;

  • Connections with local contacts and partners to support the research process and facilitate exchanges with the community.

 

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online form no later than October 30, 2026.

Before completing the form, please prepare the following materials:

  • Curatorial statement — 250 words maximum: Describe the concerns, approaches, and areas of research that shape your curatorial practice.

  • Curatorial experience — 250 words maximum: Describe the experiences most relevant to this call.

  • Project proposal — 500 words maximum: Present the exhibition concept and intentions, the proposed artists, and the works being considered. Describe the connections you wish to establish with the territory, the types of sites you would like to work with, and the research you plan to undertake during the residency.

  • Curriculum vitae — 3 pages maximum, PDF format: Present your professional experience and education.

  • Curriculum vitae of the proposed artists, in PDF format.

  • Visual documentation — 20 images maximum, PDF format: Include works by the proposed artists, along with a descriptive list indicating the artist’s name, title of the work, year, materials, and dimensions. Vimeo or YouTube links may be included for audiovisual works.

For any questions, please contact tania@adelard.org.

Application form