AAMC Foundation Application Manager

2025 Propel Program Application

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OVERVIEW

Please read closely before applying.

The Propel Program, created and led by the AAMC Foundation, gives curators with a minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 10 years of experience opportunities to advance their professional development, investigate important issues in the field, cultivate strong bonds with peers, and develop an independent working relationship with a senior curatorial leader, their Mentor. Up to 10 Fellows are selected for the program through a competitive, open application process. We encourage international and U.S.-based curators to apply who self-identify as being from underrepresented cultural, racial, ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or socio-economic communities. Awarded Fellows will be publicly announced and shared with the AAMC Foundation community.

Established in 2014, the AAMC Foundation’s Propel Program is one of the longest and most established programs available to accelerate a curator’s mid-career advancement. Past fellows have represented 14 countries, with nearly 60% from underserved racial and ethnic backgrounds and over 90% identifying as female. Since participating in the program, over 80% of the fellows have secured new and/or elevated positions.

Awarded participants are required to fully engage in all Program elements, with equal enthusiasm for each part. The program consists of:

a 2-3 day in-person residency in NYC (full days and evenings),
approximately 5-6 virtual intensive sessions (2 - 3 hours each session, during Eastern time business hours, GMT-5),
attendance at a workshop and Conference over 3 days (full days and evenings),
a 2-3 day visit with their mentor (full days and evenings).

All these components demand exclusive focus without other commitments. If accepted, we will ask the person you directly report to for their pledge to support your participation as such.

Throughout the nearly 10-month Fellowship, participants are expected to prioritize this opportunity with the AAMC Foundation, encompassing all components.

We ask that you reconsider applying if you cannot commit at this level due to personal or professional obligations. This is crucial not only to ensure complete participation but also for the immersive experience of the entire cohort.

Online Application Procedures

All application materials, including recommendations, are submitted online. You can enter information, save, and return anytime before the deadline to edit and continue the application. We recommend that you complete your application in full in one sitting. Please note that your recommendation letter is sent directly to the individual through the Submittable portal; therefore, do not delay in sharing this information with your references.

References will receive an email directly from AAMC Foundation and Submittable asking them to submit their letter, but only after you have submitted your full application. The deadline for recommendation letters to be submitted is no later than June 18, 2025 at 5pm ET. Applications without recommendation letters will not be reviewed by the jurors.

APPLICATION MATERIAL

General information about yourself and your work, including contact information and employment
Responses to approximately six short questions (100–150 word requirements)
Résumé (PDF, no more than three pages)
Short bio, 75 words max
Two confidential recommendations. One from either your museum director or, if unavailable, the highest-ranking individual to whom you directly report to within your institution, and the other from a professional colleague external to the museum, such as a former supervisor or a peer in the field.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

With full funding provided for all travel, the AAMC Foundation’s Propel Program incorporates critical elements of:

Introductory Video and Virtual Meetup (September 2025)
Multi-day in-person residency in NYC (November 2025)
Four to five additional virtual learning intensive sessions (held weekly on Thursdays, February - March 2026)
End of program in-person workshop (end of April 2026)
2026 Art Curators Conference in-person attendance (end of April 2026)
Direct mentor relationship that includes a multi-day visit to the mentor’s institution (ongoing)

The Program seeks to amplify the individual’s curatorial voice through the development and advocacy of their personal vision as curators. The full program provides access and opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to succeed in the field.

1. Intro Video & Learning

At the Program's start, Fellows will record a short introductory video to share their curatorial vision and voice.

2. Virtual Meetup

Fellows attend a virtual meetup in September 2025. Prior to this meetup, all Fellows are required to watch the full cohort’s introductory videos. The purpose of this assignment is for each fellow to familiarize themselves with the other members of their cohort. During this first session, each fellow will be asked, at random - to reflect on another’s introductory video. This meetup will also provide more information on the program schedule and curriculum.

3. Two to Three Day In-Person Learning Residency

The Fellow cohort will convene in person in New York City for a 2 - 3 day learning experience including guest speakers and featuring hands-on activities and space for self-reflection. Fellows receive funding for travel, accommodation, and a per-diem.

4. Virtual Learning Intensive

A multi-week virtual intensive featuring a combination of live and recorded content will serve as an additional learning opportunity for the Fellow cohort experience. As part of this program, there may be reading materials and videos to watch.

5. Art Curators Conference and End of Program In-Person Workshop

Fellows are required to attend a half-day, End of Program in-person workshop while in New York City for the Art Curators Conference. The Art Curators Conference is an important part of continuing to layer opportunities for discussions, collaborations, and support. Fellows receive funding for travel, accommodation, and a per-diem.

6. Partnership with a Mentor

AAMC Foundation pairs Mentors and Fellows based on the Fellow’s needs, field, location, and goals. After the initial meeting, the pairings are expected to have a minimum of three meetings between their introduction and an in-person, multiple-day visit before the end of April 2026. Ownership of this relationship development is with the Fellow. Fellows receive funding for travel, accommodation, and a per-diem.

7. AAMC Foundation Network Access

AAMC Foundation will arrange 2-year network access for each Fellow, which includes professional resources, a webinar archive, field forums, and a member directory of 1,300 curators. AAMC Foundation anticipates that the Fellows will use this opportunity to expand their network further and build new relationships beyond the program itself.

8. Dedicated Mighty Networks Site

This online community is a focused, interactive space for cohort communications and a home base for important program information, including the schedule with Zoom links for residency sessions and a list of recommended reading, webinars, and other resources.

9. Reporting and Follow-up

In June 2026, the cohort will meet for a final virtual convening. During this meeting, Fellows will be asked to revisit the questions that they were asked at the start of the program for their introductory videos. After revisiting their original answers, each fellow will reflect on how their responses have changed throughout the program. In addition, Fellows will complete a Program evaluation survey before June 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Be an art curator at a nonprofit organization/institution, with direct responsibility for works of art. In addition, independent curators and others who work a minimum of 50% of the time for/with nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
Have a required minimum of at least 8 and no more than 10 years of full-time direct employment as a curator. The curatorial experience required to meet the minimum years of experience can include full-time Curatorial Fellowships, but internships are excluded.
Applicants need current or recent (within the past 24 months) affiliation with a visual arts nonprofit organization/institution to apply.
To ensure a robust and well-rounded cohort, you may be invited to participate in an interview call with the AAMC Foundation.
International applications are encouraged and desired, within the bounds of all applicable U.S. laws. At this time we cannot accept applications from nationals of any country that is subject to a comprehensive sanctions regime under United States law (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, as well as China). This list is subject to change with U.S. regulations.
Must have a valid passport to travel to/from the U.S. and any applicable visas needed. Accepted applicants must begin the visa application process (if needed) as soon as they are accepted into the program.
Commit to all program requirements at the time of application, including all deadlines (non-negotiable), timelines, and travel.
Applications are only accepted via the online portal.
Applications are encouraged and desired from curators who are underrepresented in cultural, racial, ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or socio-economic communities.

DEADLINE

Applications for the AAMC Foundation Propel Program are open from Thursday, May 15, 2025, and the final deadline to apply is 5:00 PM ET on Monday, June 16, 2025.

Please ensure you fill out all the required questions on the application, which are indicated with a red asterisk. An incomplete or late submission will result in the jurors not reviewing the application. There are no exceptions.

This program is made possible through the generosity of the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the AAMC Foundation President’s Circle.

2025 PACC Program

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Apply

OVERVIEW

Please closely read before applying.

The PACC Program, an initiative designed to support emerging curators worldwide, is now accepting applications for its fifth edition. Building on the AAMC Foundation’s expertise and connections, the PACC program aims to support curators who face professional barriers, such as limited access to opportunities or institutional resources.

The Program utilizes the AAMC Foundation’s expertise and place of power to create a meaningful and career-impacting network, learning, and cohort experience to advance an emerging curator's career. PACC’s cohort model nurtures a strong peer-to-peer community, in addition to relationships with Mentors and advisors, for accountability, feedback, and guidance.

Applications are open to curators who face professional barriers, such as limited access to opportunities or institutional resources, with 3 - 5 years of working experience as a curator (including fellowships and excluding internships) with full-time work in a nonprofit visual art organization within the last 12 months. There is no cost to apply or to participate in the program. Awarded fellows will be announced and shared with the AAMC Foundation community.

Awarded participants are required to fully engage in all Program elements, with equal enthusiasm for each part. The program consists of:

a 2 - 3 day in-person residency (full days and evenings)
approximately 5 virtual intensive sessions (2 - 3 hour sessions during eastern time business hours, GMT-5)
attendance at a workshop and Conference over 3 days (full days and evenings)
and a 2 - 3 day visit with their mentor(full days and evenings)

All these components demand exclusive focus without other commitments. If accepted, we will ask the person you directly report to for their pledge to support your participation in the program.

Throughout the nearly 10-month Fellowship, participants are expected to prioritize this opportunity with the AAMC Foundation, encompassing all components.

Online Application Procedures

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

1. Intro Video & Learning

At the start of the Program, Fellows will record a short introductory video to share their curatorial vision and voice.

2. Virtual Meetup

Fellows attend a virtual meetup in September 2025. Prior to this meetup, all Fellows are required to watch the full cohort’s introductory videos. The purpose of this assignment is for each fellow to familiarize themselves with the other members of their cohort. During this first session, each fellow will be asked - at random - to reflect on another’s introductory video. This meetup will also provide more information on the program schedule and curriculum.

3. Two to Three Day In-person Learning Intensive, New York City

This two to three-day, in-person intensive serves as the foundation of the Fellows’ cohort experience and utilizes the local arts community as a catalyst for learning and development. Fellows receive funding for travel, accommodation, and a per-diem.

4. Virtual Learning Intensive

5. Art Curators Conference and End of Program In-Person Workshop

Fellows attend a half-day, End of Program in-person workshop while in New York City for the 2026 Art Curators Conference. The Art Curators Conference is an important part of continuing to layer opportunities for discussions, collaborations, and support. A per diem is provided to cover expenses to attend these events. Alliance members receive funding for travel, accommodation, and a per-diem.

6. Peer-to-Peer Engagement

Each Alliance fellow will be matched with another member of the cohort twice throughout the program. This is a bonding opportunity to cultivate a strong peer-to-peer community that embraces knowledge sharing.

7. Senior Level Mentors

AAMC Foundation pairs Mentors and Fellows based on the Fellows' needs, field, location, and goals. After the initial meeting, the pairings are expected to have a minimum of three meetings between their introduction and an in-person, multiple-day visit before the end of April 2026. Ownership of this relationship development is with the Fellow. Fellows members receive funding for travel, accommodation, and a per-diem.

8. AAMC Foundation Network Access

AAMC Foundation arranges a 2-year network access for each Fellow, which includes professional resources, a webinar archive, field forums, and a member directory of 1,300 curators. AAMC Foundation anticipates that the Fellows will use this opportunity to expand their network further and build new relationships beyond the program itself.

9. Dedicated Mighty Networks Site

This online community is a focused, interactive space for cohort communications and a home base for important program information, including the schedule with Zoom links for virtual sessions and a list of recommended reading, webinars, and other resources.

10. Reporting and Follow-up

In May 2026, the cohort will meet for a final virtual convening. During this meeting, Fellows will be asked to revisit the questions that they were asked at the start of the program for their introductory videos. After revisiting their original answers, each fellow will reflect on how their responses have changed throughout the program. In addition, Fellows will complete a Program evaluation survey before June 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Be an art curator at a nonprofit organization/institution, with direct responsibility for works of art. In addition, independent curators and others who work a minimum of 50% of the time for/with nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
Have a required minimum of at least 3 and no more than 5 years of full-time direct employment as a curator. The curatorial experience required to meet the minimum years of experience can include full-time Fellowships, but internships are excluded.
Applicants need current or recent (within the past 12 months) affiliation with a visual arts nonprofit organization to apply.
To ensure a robust and well-rounded cohort, you may be invited to participate in an interview call with the AAMC Foundation.
International applications are encouraged and desired, within the bounds of all applicable U.S. laws. At this time we cannot accept applications from nationals of any country that is subject to a comprehensive sanctions regime under United States law (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, as well as China). This list is subject to change with U.S. regulations.
Must have a valid passport to travel to/from the U.S. and any applicable visas needed. Accepted applicants must begin the visa application process (if needed) as soon as they are accepted into the program.
Commit to all program requirements at the time of application, including all deadlines (non-negotiable), timelines, and travel.
Applications are only accepted via the online portal.
Applications are open to curators who face professional barriers, such as limited access to opportunities or institutional resources.

DEADLINE

Applications for the AAMC Foundation Propel Program are open from Thursday, May 15, 2025, and the final deadline to apply is 5:00 PM ET on Monday, June 16, 2025.

This program is made possible through the generosity of the Getty Foundation, the Institute of Library and Museum Services, the Mellon Foundation, and the AAMC Foundation President’s Circle.

AAMC Foundation