Anyone with an interest in queer history and culture should feel welcome to apply as a community curator! Past community curators have included historians, activists, educators, local leaders, artists, archivists, photographers, painters, writers, independent curators and individuals with personal archival collections that complement those of the GLBT Historical Society.

The society is especially interested in receiving proposals from and providing curatorial opportunities to members of underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and people who identify as Black, Latinx/Latine, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, disabled, living with HIV/AIDS or involved in HIV/AIDS work.

Community curators receive a fixed honorarium of $4,000 for the entire project. More information about budget and compensation can be found below.

A strong exhibition proposal is one that tells a captivating, relevant story rooted in LGBTQ history that urgently needs to be told.

The strongest exhibitions:

• Ideally include materials from the GLBT Historical Society archives, though this is not required.

• Include various artistic, multimedia, cultural and historical elements.

• Stimulate public discourse and make connections to our times.

• Highlight and integrate underexplored, underrepresented or intentionally marginalized perspectives.

• Are rooted in the LGBTQ communities whose stories are being told (i.e. include collaborations with community organizations and/or local activists).

• Engage multigenerational, multilingual and international audiences.

• Generate ideas for accompanying public programs, interactive activities and/or educational resources.

• Reinforce the existing scope of the society’s archival collections.

• Demonstrate the curator(s)’ readiness to manage expectations, communications and workflow successfully.

Proposals do not need to be comprehensive or totally conceptualized, but should contain strong, clearly defined elements, themes and curatorial frameworks that can be developed further and be completed within the given timeframe.

The society’s curatorial staff will work with an Exhibitions Advisory Committee to review all exhibition proposals and make final selections for possible museum and online exhibitions.

Members of the Exhibitions Advisory Committee represent various LGBTQ and BIPOC communities, and are multidisciplinary professionals and experts in history, arts and culture. Their evaluation and assessment will consider each proposal’s curatorial vision, compatibility with exhibition best practices and alignment with both the society’s mission and commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA).

If their proposal is selected, the successful community curator will craft a complete exhibition concept and narrative with the assistance of GLBT Historical Society curatorial staff. The curator will participate in exhibition design, production of supplementary materials, and conception of related programming and promotional activities.

The community curator will:

• Identify relevant contributors and manage communications and internal deadlines with them throughout the duration of the project.

• Conduct individual research, online and in the society’s archives if necessary, and provide written summaries and regular updates.

• Compile and manage a checklist of objects, archival materials, possible object loans, and other resources to be used in the exhibition.

• Actively collaborate with the society’s curatorial staff to provide input for final curatorial texts, exhibition identity, layout and graphic design.

• Assist with exhibition installation (online or in-person).

• Participate in press interviews, social media efforts, newsletter features, and public programs (i.e. curator talks, panel conversations, curator-led tours.)

• Adhere to project deadlines, budgets and agreements, ensuring a successful project wrap-up.

The society’s curatorial staff will serve as project managers for the accepted exhibition proposals.

Curatorial staff will:

• Establish a project agreement, timeline, budget and manage logistics for hiring related contractors.

• Provide guidance with archival research and collaborate with the community curator to generate curatorial texts and overall exhibition design.

• Assist with gathering objects, document reproductions and loan agreements.

• Offer assistance in liaising with collaborating historians, topic experts or co-curators to ensure historical accuracy and meet exhibition standards.

• Produce the final exhibition identity and graphic design, with active participation from the community curator.

• Lead production of promotional and advertising materials with the society’s communications staff.

• Oversee final exhibition installation (online or in-person).

• Collaborate with the community curator in the development of related public programs and educational materials.

The GLBT Historical Society will provide an exhibition budget ranging from $7,000 to $25,000 or more depending on the type of exhibition, available and additional funding, sponsorships or donations. The curator is not expected to raise this budget, but we welcome leads for additional funds if available.

Budgets are allocated for essential expenses, including the curator’s honorarium; contributor/artist fees; display materials and supplies; and printing and collateral costs. Other expenses, including marketing, public programs management, staff time, insurance and loan preparation are covered by the society.

Community curators receive a fixed honorarium of $4,000 for the entire project. They also receive professional support from the society, such as promotion of individual projects or recommendation letters, including after the exhibition has been finalized. Additional collaborations with the society will be welcomed on a case-by-case basis.

The GLBT Historical Society’s Five-Year Strategic Plan outlines our strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA). We continually modify and refine the community curation program to meet the particular needs of curators, participants, audiences and the greater community. We strive to exceed museum best practices and are committed to learning alongside our community curators and advisory committees throughout the process.