in vitro: Fellowship Open Call

Gossamer Fog is inviting applications for our new in vitro Fellowship programme built to equip early career practitioners, with a keen interest in curation and artist-run spaces, with the tools to build something themselves.

Following on from the success of our curatorial incubator in 2024, we have expanded in vitro to include a wide range of upcoming artist development and education opportunities. The first of these is our new Fellowship programme. We’re offering two fellowships over separate open calls, and are now welcoming applications for the first fellowship position.

As an artist-run organisation, we especially welcome applications from artists interested in curation alongside their main art practice. We believe that artists often make excellent curators, bringing fresh perspectives, diverse skills, and a more experimental approach.

We are looking for individuals with a curiosity for artist-run spaces and curation, who are keen to engage in hands-on, collaborative work with the Gossamer Fog team. Fellows will contribute to the delivery of our gallery exhibition programme, live mixed-reality events at our virtual production facility, Alt_R and a wide variety of other project and operational tasks, supported by ongoing mentorship and training. Alongside this, you’ll also have the opportunity to develop and curate your own group exhibition.

in vitro Fellowships are freelance paid positions, running for one day a week over a 6 month period. Fellows will receive a total fee of £3120 (£120 per day), with an additional £1000 production budget towards a supported curatorial project/group exhibition over 6 weeks (Friday, Saturdays & Sundays) at Gossamer Fog at the end of their 6 month placement.


What you’ll explore

Fellows will work closely with our small team supporting the delivery of Gossamer Fog’s creative programme, assisting and contributing to a wide range of activities from curatorial, creative production, press & marketing, development, technical/installation, etc… while gaining insights into how an artist-run organisation and gallery operates. The fellowship is a space for learning through creation, conversation, and experimentation.

Alongside this, you’ll develop your own curatorial project to be presented in our gallery, with guidance and mentorship from the Gossamer Fog team. We will provide curatorial and technical support for the exhibition, with a selection of AV equipment available. Your curated exhibition will be documented, promoted, and shared across our website and social media channels as part of our main programme. As part of the application, we invite you to share an early idea or loose outline for a curatorial project/group exhibition. This doesn’t need to be fully formed or resolved — we’re interested in the questions you’re drawn to, the conversations you want to open up, and the kinds of art you’re excited to work with. We are open to unique formats and approaches, however there must be some sort of physical exhibition in the gallery space. Gossamer Fog holds an ongoing interest in the social and ecological impacts of new digital technologies. Fellows will hopefully share some of the interests explored in our programme: actively joining a critical and speculative discussion that Gossamer Fog is committed to nurturing.

Who’s this for? This fellowship is aimed at early-career artists and curators who are not currently working as curators for other galleries or creative organisations. We’re especially interested in people who are curious about artist-run spaces and feel they’d benefit from gaining some invaluable experience while spending time learning, experimenting, and working alongside us. Our fellowships are open to everyone. We are committed to building a programme that reflects a wide range of voices and experiences, and to addressing ongoing underrepresentation within the arts. In support of this we actively encourage applications from Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority practitioners.


A few practical things to know…

~ Fellows must be able to spend one day a week - in person at our gallery in Deptford, SE London - over the 6 month fellowship (see ‘important dates’ for placement period).

~ Fellows must be registered as self-employed and responsible for managing their own taxes.

~ The exhibition budget is intended to support activity directly related to your in vitro curatorial project only.

~ We welcome applications from artists who also have a curatorial practice or interest in curation; however, proposals that include the applicant’s own personal artwork in their in vitro group exhibition won’t be considered.

~ While the fellowship involves a commitment of one day per week, we understand that people have busy and varied lives. Where needed, fellows may take time off during certain weeks and make up the days in following weeks, with occasional opportunities to work remotely.

~ We are flexible when it comes to arranging what specific day of the week you will work with us, subject to availability on both sides.


Important Dates

Deadline for application: Monday 2nd March 2026 11:59 GMT
Notification of outcome to applicants: 9th March 2026
Shortlist interviews: 12th & 13th March 2026
Fellowship #1 placement period: 23rd March - 4th October 2026
Fellowship #1 curated Exhibition dates: 28th September - 22nd November 2026


APPLY HERE THROUGH OUR ONLINE FORM


Application questions

~ Tell us a bit about yourself including any key skills you have (200 words)
~ Why would you like to take part in the Fellowship? (200 words)
~ What are your early ideas for your Fellowship exhibition? *This doesn’t need to be fully formed or resolved — we’re interested in the questions you’re drawn to, the conversations you want to open up, and the kinds of art you’re excited to work with. (200 words)
~ Please attach your CV
~ Please add a link to your portfolio or a PDF document which includes a few images of your own artwork and or curated projects
~ Website link (optional)
~ Social media link (optional)


in vitro: Fellowship Open Call (Easy-read Version)

If you have any questions regarding your application please email: submit@gossamerfog.com

Gossamer Fog is an artist-run gallery, organisation, virtual production facility and CIC in Deptford, SE London, founded in 2016. We commission new risk-taking artwork and produce exhibitions and events cultivating critical artistic investigations around technology, science, ecology and society; specialising in nurturing new creative technologies within the arts.