What if the next leading voice in African art is you?
Applications are officially open for the RMB Latitudes CuratorLab 2025, a mentorship program tailored for early-career curators from across Africa. The initiative, now entering its fourth year, runs from 6 August to 15 October 2025 via an online residency. It is calling on 10 aspiring curators to shape their careers through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on curatorial experience. Applications close 16 July 2025, and it all culminates with the launch of curated exhibitions on Latitudes Online from 5 November 2025.
Organized by Latitudes Online in partnership with Art School Africa, this program is not just another creative call-out. It’s an answer to a pressing need: the lack of accessible, practical curatorial training on the continent. With a specific focus on South African talent while welcoming voices from across Africa, the CuratorLab offers something rare—real-world experience without the barrier of formal academic credentials.
“Too many gifted curators get overlooked because they don’t have traditional qualifications. CuratorLab is different. It focuses on talent, vision, and community-based impact,” said a representative from Art School Africa.
Here’s what selected curators can expect:
- 1-on-1 mentorship from top industry curators
- Weekly online workshops with peers from across Africa
- The chance to conceptualise and execute a full exhibition online
- A permanent curator profile on Latitudes Online
- Exposure to over 21,000 subscribers via Latitudes’ digital campaigns
Participants will also gain professional practice skills including:
- Curatorial writing, pricing structures, and artist relationship management
- Digital curation and understanding of the African and global art markets
- How to position and market themselves as curators
- Proposal and statement development
- Key business and administrative skills
All curated shows will be hosted and sold through Latitudes Online, complete with logistics and sales support. Unlike many short-term programs, participants will also retain their online profiles post-program, allowing them to continue promoting their work and connecting with buyers and collaborators long after the exhibitions close.
“CuratorLab was the push I didn’t know I needed. It sharpened my voice and introduced me to a community I still lean on today,” shared a 2023 participant from Johannesburg.
Beyond the technical side, the value lies in the connections. From weekly peer reviews to direct access to industry giants, participants become part of an active, resourceful network.
According to Latitudes, this year’s collaboration with Art School Africa, a non-profit dedicated to transforming art education, takes the program to a new level. The curriculum is deeper, the speakers more diverse, and the outcomes more aligned with the realities of working as a creative on the continent.
Who should apply?
- Early-career curators from anywhere in Africa
- People without formal training but with hands-on experience
- Creatives rooted in community or emerging art scenes
This isn’t about theory. It’s about impact. If you’ve ever wanted to curate an exhibition that reflects your reality, your neighborhood, or your artistic tribe, this is your chance.
“We’re not just curating art. We’re curating the future of African visual storytelling,” said a CuratorLab mentor.
To apply and learn more, visi: https://editorial.latitudes.online/blog/posts/rmb-latitudes-curatorlab-2025-call-for-applications
The deadline is 16 July 2025, and space is limited to just ten spots. Whether you’re in Lagos, Lusaka, Gqeberha, or Kigali, this is your moment to grow, to show, and to lead.
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