Exhibition Fellowship
Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026, 11:59 pm
Root Division is seeking an emerging arts professional with a passion for exhibition programming, curatorial practice, and gallery management to serve as its Exhibitions Fellow from October 2026 through August 2027.
The Exhibitions Fellow will receive:
- $5,000 project stipend, disbursed in 10 monthly payments
- Participation in Root Division’s Curatorial Committee meetings
- Free access to Root Division classes and professional development workshops
- Hands-on training and practical experience at a dynamic visual arts nonprofit
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Organize exhibitions for the Frank-Ratchye Studio Artist Project Space (FRPS)
The Frank-Ratchye Studio Artist Project Space (FRPS) showcases the work of Root Division Studio Artists. Located alongside the Main Gallery, the space is free and open to the public during regular gallery hours.
The Exhibitions Fellow will coordinate the FRPS exhibition program by:
- Conducting studio visits with Root Division studio artists
- Scheduling monthly exhibitions
- Collaborating with artists to select artwork and prepare exhibition materials, including wall text and didactic content
- Assisting with exhibition installation, image management, and copy editing
Participate on the Curatorial Committee
Root Division’s Curatorial Committee—including leading Bay Area curators, artists, and arts professionals—reviews and selects guest-curated exhibitions for the 2nd Saturday Exhibition Series.
As a member of the committee, the Fellow will:
- Attend proposal review meetings
- Participate in strategic planning sessions with organizational leadership
- Gain firsthand experience in the curatorial review and exhibition selection process
Support Main Gallery exhibitions, public programs, and fundraising events
The Exhibitions Fellow will work alongside Root Division Team, Curator, guest curators, installation team, and exhibiting artists to help organize exhibitions, public programs, and fundraising events (Flourish and Auction) in the Main Gallery and at off-site locations.
Additional opportunities include:
- Supporting exhibition design and installation
- Contributing to exhibition publications and catalog production
- Providing research and logistical support for 2nd Saturday programs
Contribute research arts writing
In addition to coordinating exhibitions in the FRPS, the Fellow will have opportunities to publish original arts writing for Root Division. Projects may include artist interviews, exhibition essays, articles, or other written formats aligned with the Fellow’s interests.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have:
- A bachelor’s degree in fine arts, curatorial studies, art history, or a related field, or equivalent exhibition coordination experience (current students are encouraged to apply)
- Strong organizational, administrative, writing, and computer skills, including proficiency with Mac OS, Google Workspace, and Dropbox
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with artists, curators, jurors, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds
- The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an inclusive, creative, and fast-paced environment
- Availability for a minimum of 20 hours per month (approximately 5 hours per week) from October 2026 through August 2027
The schedule will be developed with the Curator and includes weekly onsite hours at Root Division, attendance at 2nd Saturday receptions, one to two evening meetings or programs per quarter, and optional additional hours as available.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in any of the following areas is a plus:
- Photography, video, graphic design, web, or digital media (or a willingness to learn)
- Marketing or public relations
- Art handling and exhibition installation
How to Apply
Please submit the following materials as a PDF to submissions@rootdivision.org:
- Current résumé or CV
- Cover Letter introducing yourself and addressing:
- Why you are interested in working with Root Division
- How this fellowship will support your development as an arts professional
- How your experience supporting exhibitions relates to the work samples you are submitting
- Please include three professional references (name, email, and/or phone number) at the end of your letter.
- Examples of exhibition coordination, curatorial projects, or gallery work (up to five images with captions)
- Writing sample (maximum two pages). This may include academic or professional arts writing (exhibition texts, articles, reviews, etc).
ABOUT ROOT DIVISION
Root Division is a visual arts nonprofit located in San Francisco’s Mid-Market/SoMa neighborhood. Its mission is to empower artists, inspire youth, promote community engagement, and enrich the Bay Area through the visual arts.
Root Division’s 2nd Saturday Exhibition Series presents ambitious contemporary exhibitions with an emphasis on emerging Bay Area artists. Featuring a wide range of artistic disciplines, perspectives, and forms of cultural expression, the series highlights work that engages with contemporary artistic ideas and pressing social issues while fostering dialogue between artists and the broader community.