The 2021 Art Guest Curatorship to create an online exhibition centering fine art, and the 2021 History and Culture Guest Curatorship to create a research-based online exhibition featuring cultural and historical content.
Five Oaks Museum has a 65 year history: a former county historical society that grew into an independent nonprofit museum, it was reborn in January of 2020 as a platform for culturally embedded history, arts and culture. The institution makes space for challenging dialogues and critique, and values innovative, accessible learning opportunities.
The guest curator program at the museum de-centers the authoritative voice of major exhibitions, entrusting communities with their own cultural storytelling. Guest Curators have creative control over the design, content, and texts of a featured online exhibition on the museum’s website. Staff will support Guest Curators in utilizing the museum’s cultural resources, developing curriculum, and logistical and project management as needed.
Both guest curatorships for the 2021 cycle are stipended projects designed to be achievable for folks with other work and personal commitments. Five Oaks Museum staff, especially the Cultural Resources Manager, Learning Coordinator and Co-Director, will work collaboratively and in support of the Guest Curators throughout to ensure the project runs smoothly and to share the workload with the Guest Curator. Both curatorships begin in March; the art exhibition opens in July 2021 and the history and culture exhibition opens in October 2021.
The art exhibition is an opportunity to uplift artists whose work makes important contributions to cultural dialogues. Supporting artists who may not typically be given preference in formal institutional settings is encouraged. The Art Guest Curator receives compensation of $1,000 and manages an exhibition budget of $1,000.
The history and culture exhibition is a chance to use the museum’s collection of over 100,000 cultural and historic items to tell urgent and nuanced stories. This longer engagement involves a research period in addition to time to write and design the displays, and is highly supported by our expert staff from beginning to end. This exhibition becomes the basis for curriculum that is given to thousands of area elementary school students and learners of all ages. The History and Culture Guest Curator receives compensation of $3,000 and manages an exhibition budget of $3,000.
Info Sessions (via Zoom):
Tuesday, December 8 at 7 pm, 2020
Monday, December 14 at 1 pm, 2020
Tuesday, January 12 at 7 pm, 2021
Monday, January 25 at 1 pm, 2021
Application Period Opens Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Application Period Closes Saturday, January 31, 2021
Full details and application form at https://fiveoaksmuseum.org/call-for-2021-guest-curator-proposals/
Five Oaks Museum: Moving History Forward
Five Oaks Museum is a gathering place of vibrant art, culture and storytelling — a resource for all who are curious about the world around us. Since our founding in 1956 as the Washington County Historical Society, we’ve worked to preserve the artifacts and narratives that define the Tualatin Valley’s unique place in the world. By collaborating with others to explore how art, culture and history shape the past and influence the future, we help visitors connect to a collective history. Here, everyone is part of the story.
Five Oaks Museum’s building is closed to the public due to COVID-19. Experience our exhibitions and more online at www.fiveoaksmuseum.org
