The Davra Research Collective invites applications for the Curatorial Lab, an educational program designed to address the critical gap in curatorial practice within Uzbekistan’s contemporary art scene.

In recent years, Central Asian artists have gained increasing recognition globally, highlighting the growing importance of curatorial initiatives. The Curatorial Lab aims to support this momentum by providing participants with essential knowledge and hands-on experience in curatorial practice, empowering the next generation of art leaders.

About the Lab

The program offers a unique opportunity to learn from renowned curators Valentine Umansky and Filipa Ramos. Participants will explore key aspects of curatorial practice, including research methodologies, concept development, writing, exhibition design, and collaborative approaches. The mentors will work alongside members of the Davra Research Collective, who will contribute Central Asian perspectives to the process. The project will be activated and thoughtfully concluded by Davra, ensuring it remains connected to the local context.

The project is made possible through the British Council's Creative Collaborations programme, which fosters cultural exchange and strengthens ties between Central Asia and the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Open to citizens of Uzbekistan.
  • Preliminary knowledge about the contemporary art scene is required.
  • Applicants must be fully available to attend offline workshop sessions from February 17 to 21, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at MOC hub, Buyuk Turon 77, Tashkent.

Meet the Mentors

A curator, author, and critic, Valentine Umansky has worked for various institutions dedicated to visual arts and is currently serving as Curator, International Art at Tate Modern. Valentine’s extensive experience in moving image brings a unique perspective and depth of expertise to the Curatorial Lab.

Filipa Ramos is a curator, art critic, and lecturer at Central Saint Martins, based in London and Paris. She is the curator of Vdrome, a platform for film and video art. Filipa has an impressive curatorial background, having been the Curator of Research Section for dOCUMENTA (13), Associate Editor of Manifesta Journal, and Public Programmes Curator at the Antonio Ratti Foundation in Como.

Important information

The Curatorial Lab is free of charge and will be conducted in English with translations to Uzbek/Russian.

If you are based outside Tashkent and require financial support to attend the workshop, please let us know in the application form. We aim to ensure equal access for all participants and will do our best to assist with travel and accommodation arrangements where needed.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the form linked here by January 21, 2025.

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