This call for feature proposals is open to arts writers, artists, historians, curators, librarians, archivists, and anyone in the GLAM field with an interest in engaging with our readers and our mission. We welcome proposals from writers at any stage of their career. We seek to expand cultural discourse and promote engagement with open access digital collections. Essays may range from more art historical scholarly approaches, to critical engagement with the archive itself and its limitations, to more creative addresses to the objects and/or readers.
 
Invited guest writers will be welcomed to the Curationist community. They will develop their proposal with editorial support and feedback, get research assistance from digital archivists, and have their essay published online as an Editorial Feature. Guest writers will have the opportunity to learn about image rights, liberatory metadata practices, and the open knowledge movement. 
 
Chosen proposals will demonstrate an interest in the history and contemporary context of cultural objects and materials and align with our mission. Curationist promotes storytelling and curiosity through a social justice lens that is anti-racist, anti-colonial, feminist, queer, and anti-ableist. The Curationist team is committed to diversifying perspectives, decentering colonialist cataloging, and supporting Indigenous data sovereignty. 
 
We aim to support writing addressing subjects that are underrepresented globally and underexplored in mainstream arts writing. 
 
#### Curationist Commissioned Features, Specifications:
- 3-month timeline from proposal to publishing on site. Deadlines in Spring, Summer, and Fall in 2026, to be selected by writer and editors.
- $1500 flat rate for essay (aiming for ~1500 words), paid upon submission of final draft
- Editorial support and feedback, expect to go through at least 3 drafts with editor’s feedback and revisions
- Research support from our digital archivist 

#### Proposal Overview
 
We seek proposals for new feature essays that address topics that are not already well-covered in our editorial features, delving into new corners of the archive. We ask that you peruse our editorial essays, collections, and the website to gain a better understanding of our ethos and publishing history.
 
- Some topic suggestions for 2026: film, film contexts, cookbooks, the nonvisual senses, repatriation or reparative moves in the cultural heritage sphere, revisionist archaeology, costumes, natural history, the Eastern Bloc, …
- Proposals must critically engage Works (art and cultural objects) in our archives.
- We are especially interested in topics that engage Works whose metadata will benefit from a closer look, revision, or expansion. 
- Applicants do not need to be based in the United States. We accept applications from people all over the globe. 

####Proposal Guidelines
 

To submit a proposal for a guest editorial feature, please prepare the following and use [this form.](https://forms.gle/4nQGdM129fUfJFyy5) **We will only review proposals submitted via our form:**
- An abstract of your essay (max 300 words). Please note, we will publish new writing, developed for our platform. Do not send finished drafts or work that is published elsewhere. 	
- Link/s to 1–3 Works in the Curationist archive that will be referenced in your essay.
- Links or one PDF of up to three published writing or other writing samples. 
- CV / resume
 

**The 2026 Application Process is now closed**
 
 
####Selection Timeline
 
Proposals will be reviewed in March and we aim to notify applicants of selection by April 15. We will commission up to eight essays. If selected, you will choose Spring, Summer, or Fall for your writing and publication period.
 
If you have a question not answered above, contact **pitch.us at curationist.org**

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**Accepting Submissions January 15 through February 28, 2026**
 
We seek proposals for new essays to publish on our platform. Curationist’s editorial features critically investigate and contextualize the Works in our open access archives. Writers are invited to build essays from the histories, narratives, and art of global cultures across time.

Call for Proposals for Editorial Features: Opens January 15  

The 2025 Curationist Metadata Summit: Metadata Outside The Box on September 18 was a success with nearly 250 attendees! 
 
If you missed it, you can now watch the [**video of it on Youtube.**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyflskBFvyU&t=3887s) 
 

Curationist's **Sharon Mizota** moderated the discussion with **Kyle Parry**, writer and professor, History of Art and Visual Culture, UC Santa Cruz; **Lydia Mardirian**, Arab Image Foundation and **Hailey Loman**, Los Angeles Contemporary Archive (LACA). Each presented their innovative and transformative approaches to using metadata. 
 
 
Check it out!

2025 Metadata Summit: Metadata Outside the Box. Now on Youtube

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If you missed the 2025 Curationist Metadata Summit: Metadata Outside The Box, you can now watch the video of it on YouTube. 

Watch the 2025 Metadata Summit 

## Our Panelists
 
**Hailey Loman** is the Co-Founder and Director of Los Angeles Contemporary Archive (LACA), an artist-run archive and non-circulating library in which contemporary creative processes are recorded and preserved.
 
**Lydia Mardirian** is a researcher at the Arab Image Foundation, an independent association that collects, preserves and researches photographs from South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) and its diasporas. AIF is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
 
**Kyle Parry** is Associate Professor, History of Art and Visual Culture, UC Santa Cruz and the author of A Theory of Assembly: From Museums to Memes, and the essay, "Metadata Is Not Data About Data."
 
#### Have a question for our panelists?
Email us in advance at [curationist@curationist.org](mailto:curationist@curationist.org).
Reserve your spot today and be part of the conversation!
[Register Here](https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AUGuc7g6T4-xdtaS6TIBcA#/registration)

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**Thursday, September 18th 2025 from 12-1:30pm EST. **
 
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Curationist Metadata Summit! This year’s theme, “Metadata Outside the Box”, invites you to explore subversive, unconventional, and unexpected approaches to metadata creation and use.

Save The Date! 2025 Curationist Metadata Summit: Metadata Outside the Box

###**THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.**
 
 
#### **Curationist is building a free, open-access digital archive that helps people around the world connect to art, culture, and history—with equity and justice at the core.**
 
#### We’re looking for a Grants & Fundraising Director who knows how to open doors. You’ll lead our fundraising strategy, build and nurture relationships with funders and champions of the arts & humanities , and craft compelling proposals that bring in the resources to power cultural change.
 
####You’ll thrive in this role if you:
 
- **Have a strong network—or the savvy to build one—in the GLAM, philanthropy, or cultural sectors**
- **Know how to match bold ideas with aligned funding**
- **Can write proposals that move funders to action**
- **Care about decolonial approaches, equity in heritage, and digital openness**
- **Love working independently, across teams, and toward big goals**
 

####**Join us if you believe access to culture can change the world.**
 
 
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### **Grants & Fundraising Director**
 
**Employment Type:** Remote, Part-time Contractor 

**Time Commitment:** 70 hours per month, billed to actuals worked

**Hourly Rate:** $75.00US per hour

**Reports to:** Executive Director

**Proposed Start Date:** Immediate
 
 
#### **Position Overview:**
 
We are seeking a talented and experienced Grants & Fundraising Director to join our dynamic team. The Grants & Fundraising Director works across all areas of the Curationist.org’s programs and offerings with a focus of finding funding opportunities. The Grants Director will be the lead in researching, writing, and submitting grant proposals to secure funding ranging for the Foundation itself to particular programs or projects. This role requires excellent writing skills, specific working knowledge and contacts in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and the ability to translate complex technical information into clear and compelling narratives.
 
This position requires the ability to work on multiple projects with a range of partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, simultaneously.
 
 
#### **About Curationist:**
 
Curationist.org is an emergent free-knowledge ecosystem made for curating and sharing global art and cultural heritage. Our goal is to deepen cultural awareness by creating accessible and equitable content about art and cultural heritage.
 
Curationist is developing a free digital archive of art and cultural heritage images culled from
leading institutions from around the world. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to
producing educational content that responsibly and respectfully updates and challenges the historical record. All of the digital works on our site are open access, and in the public domain. We aim to help people learn about cultural heritage in fun, engaging, and inclusive ways. We envision an open collaborative platform where people can situate themselves in an artistically and culturally diverse, dynamic, and expanding world.
 
Curationist is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are guided by our commitment to geographic diversity, anti-colonial, anti-racist, feminist, and queer practices in building our team, delivering content, and cultivating community. Transformation and innovation occur when varied ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds emerge as a collective voice.
 
 
####**Responsibilities:**

 
**Research and Identify Funding Opportunities:**
- Conduct thorough research to identify relevant grant opportunities from government, organizations and private sources.
- Stay updated on changes in funding guidelines, policies, and program requirements.

**Relationship Building **
- Be the key point of contact for the organization's sponsors and donors. Cultivating these relationships, ensuring their satisfaction, and retaining their support are crucial for continuous fundraising.
- Build relationships with donors, oversee fundraising events, and collaborate with other departments to maximize fundraising efforts.
- Keep major donors and companies informed of the impact of their donations and key milestones.
- Raise awareness of the organization's work with donors and communicate with potential donors.
- Create marketing and promotional materials to support fundraising efforts and enhance donor engagement.


**Donation Strategy Development:**
- Work with the Platform and Community Directors to define overall strategy for donations and funding for Curationist from private and public organizations. 
- Advise on unexplored areas of opportunity for solicitation and grant development.


**Grant Proposal Development:**
- Collaborate with Platform and Community Directors to understand their projects and funding needs.
- Write compelling and persuasive grant proposals, ensuring they align with funding requirements and criteria.
- Develop timelines, and other supporting documents required for grant submissions.


**Grant Calendar Management:**
- Manage the entire grant application process, including coordinating with Curationist internal teams to gather necessary information and documentation.
- Track and report on the status of all grant applications, ensuring deadlines are met.
- Provide post-submission follow-up, including responding to funders' inquiries and submitting additional information as needed.


**Documentation and Compliance:**
- Ensure all grant proposals are thoroughly documented and compliant with funders' guidelines.
- Maintain accurate records of all grant submissions and outcomes.


**Communication and Support:**
- Act as the primary point of contact for the team throughout the grant application process.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the team on the status of the applications.
 


#### **Qualifications and Strengths:**
- Proven experience in community outreach or development in the arts or GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) or similar sectors across and outside of North America.
- Proven track record of securing grants from government and private sources.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding and professional commitment to social justice through anti-racist and decolonial work in GLAM spaces, open education and “copyleft” movements in digital spaces, and knowledge parity between Indigenous knowledge holders and institutional authorities.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications, development, grant writing, external communications, and project management.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with attention to detail.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Ability to translate complex technical information into clear and compelling narratives.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and grant management software.
- Track record of taking initiative, working independently, and being resourceful.
- Approaches challenges with creativity, pragmatism and innovation.
- Capable and confident in building collaborative and effective working relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Education or Related Experience could include; Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Business, or a related field. Or proven experience in successful fundraising and grant submissions. 
 

#### **Where:**
 
This is remote work, via Zoom, Slack, Google Drive, etc., with weekly synchronous meetings and co-working sessions to be set by the team.
 
 
#### **Sounds Like a Good Fit?**
 
**Send your cover letter and resume to [jobs@curationist.org.](mailto:"jobs@curationist.org") with the subject line: _Grants & Fundraising Director._**
 
Let us know about you, your applicable experience, relevant skills, how you connect with this job posting, and your interests in arts and culture.
 
Please put the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.

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-- THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED --

We’re looking for a Grants & Fundraising Director who knows how to open doors. You’ll lead our fundraising strategy, build and nurture relationships with funders and champions of the arts & humanities, and craft compelling proposals that bring in the resources to power cultural change.


Curationist Seeks a Grants & Fundraising Director

The Curationist Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of **Jennryn Wetzler** as Chair and **Evelin Heidel** as Vice Chair of our Board of Directors. These two remarkable leaders bring deep experience in open knowledge, cultural heritage, and global collaboration—values that are at the heart of our mission.
 

![Screenshot 2025-05-20 at 12.20.04 PM.png](https://curationist-prod-strapi-images-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/Screenshot_2025_05_20_at_12_20_04_PM_41d8f8eccb.png)
 
This transition follows the completion of **Dr. Manu Samriti Chander’s** term as Board Chair after six years of dedicated service. Manu has been a guiding force in the Foundation’s growth, helping steward our transformation from MHz Foundation to Curationist Foundation and advancing our commitment to equity, access, and innovation in the cultural commons.
 

“Manu brought vision, rigor, and a deep commitment to cultural equity that helped shape Curationist into what it is today,” said Christian Dawson, Executive Director. “We’re deeply grateful for his leadership, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jennryn and Evelin. They are exactly the right people to lead us into our next chapter.”
 

At the Curationist Foundation, we work to connect people with global cultural heritage through open-access tools, metadata innovation, and editorial storytelling. Under Jennryn and Evelin’s leadership, we look forward to expanding our reach, strengthening our museum services, and building new partnerships to support inclusive, responsible digital culture.
 

Please join us in celebrating this leadership transition and welcoming Jennryn and Evelin into their new roles.
 

![Signature_christian.png](https://curationist-prod-strapi-images-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/Signature_christian_940037cc71.png)
 

Christian Dawson
Executive Director
Curationist Foundation

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The Curationist Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jennryn Wetzler as Chair and Evelin Heidel as Vice Chair of our Board of Directors. These two remarkable leaders bring deep experience in open knowledge, cultural heritage, and global collaboration—values that are at the heart of our mission.

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