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 Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence Program

 

“Everywhere I Go is Home” by 2025-2026 curator Sierra King. Photo by John Stephens/JAS Photo

Established in 2024, The Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence program provides emerging curators space and financial support to develop and present exhibitions that celebrate Black history and culture.

Named in honor of Mtamanika Youngblood, a champion of the arts and community development in Sweet Auburn, the program fosters local, national, and international narratives, offering a platform for curators to engage the community meaningfully through art and culture.

 
 

Program Benefits

Time

The schedule is flexible, allowing for independent and self-driven use dedicated to scholarly research, curatorial project development, and building professional connections with local artists and arts professionals.

Space

The Curator-in-Residence is provided with a spacious office at Haugabrooks on Auburn, offering 24/7 access to an expansive 1,000 square feet of gallery space.

Financial Support

The chosen Curator-in-Residence is allocated a $15,000 budget to curate three exhibitions within a 12-month timeframe, with $5,000 earmarked for each exhibition.

 
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 Apply Now

Applications for the 2026–2027 cycle are now open

 

Credit: “Everywhere I Go is Home,” curated by 2025-2026 resident Sierra King, photo by John Stephens

 

Curator Qualifications:

  • Metro-Atlanta Based

  • Dynamic and organized individual with a passion for fine art, community engagement, and public education.

  • Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and demonstrate resourcefulness.

  • Experience in coordinating collaborative programs, adept at both leading and supporting others in achieving a shared vision.

  • Exceptional organizational skills, with particular attention to detail, and the capacity to multitask effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

  • Demonstrated proficiency in writing and research.

  • Outstanding communication skills, consistently managing artists with diplomacy and warmth.

  • Knowledge and familiarity in artwork installation.

Submission Requirements:  

  • General Information 

  • A CV/Resume (no more than two pages, single-spaced) 

  • A brief statement about your curatorial practice

  • Examples of past curatorial projects, exhibitions, or programs including images, descriptions, and any available documentation.

  • A written statement outlining: 

    • What motivates your interest in this residency program, and how do you envision it impacting your practice?

    • How do your professional goals align with the opportunities provided by this residency, and what unique contributions do you bring to the program?

  • Description of the goals you hope to achieve during the residency period.

  • Two professional references.

Program Timeline:

  • Applications Open: Wednesday, November 5, 2025  

  • Applications Close: Friday, December 12, 2025  

  • Applicants notified of Status: Week of January 12, 2026  

  • Public Announcement: Week of January 19, 2026 

  • Program Starts: Monday, February 2, 2026

Submit
 

 Previous Residents

 
 
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 Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

  • The Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC) holds the conviction that championing arts and culture plays a vital role in safeguarding the profound cultural heritage of Sweet Auburn and the Old Fourth Ward. Demonstrating this commitment, in 2019, HDDC meticulously restored Haugabrooks Funeral Home, transforming it into a vibrant community gathering venue and an enriching art gallery.

    The following are the goals of Haugabrooks on Auburn: 

    • To create an inviting, and inclusive hub open to the public, designed  for artists  and the community at large.

    • To create an exhibition space for artists (emerging/mid-career/established) and curators.

    • To provide a well-curated library housing a collection of literature that  focuses on the art of Africa and the diaspora.

    • To provide a cultural landmark suitable for hosting special events, meetings, and public programs.

  • This program is open to emerging curators who demonstrate a commitment to exploring themes related to Black history and culture. Applicants should have some experience in curatorial or cultural work, as well as a passion for community engagement and innovative storytelling.

  • The program encourages exhibitions that reflect on Black history and culture through fresh, impactful, and culturally sensitive perspectives. Exhibitions may explore local, national, or international narratives and should aim to engage the Sweet Auburn community and the general public meaningfully.

  • The residency spans 12 months, during which the selected curator will be expected to complete three exhibitions. The 2026-2027 program schedule is as follows:

    Exhibit 1
    February - March 2026 (Exhibition Development)
    April - May 2026 (Exhibition Run)
    June 2026 (Deinstallation) 

    Exhibit 2
    June - July 2026 (Exhibition Development)
    August - September 2026 (Exhibition Run)
    October 2026 (Deinstallation) 

    Exhibit 3
    October - November  2026 (Exhibition Development)
    December 2026 - January 2027 (Exhibition Run)
    February 2027 (Deinstallation) 

  • Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application, including a proposal detailing their vision for the residency, a portfolio of past work, and a statement of intent explaining how their work aligns with the mission of the Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence program. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview with the selection committee.

  • Applications will be reviewed by a committee of professionals in the arts and cultural fields. They will evaluate candidates based on criteria such as artistic vision, curatorial experience, community engagement approach, professional growth potential, and the feasibility of proposed exhibitions within the program’s budget and timeline.

  • The Curator-in-Residence will have the opportunity to engage the Sweet Auburn community through public office hours, artist talks, community discussions, and other programs that accompany their exhibitions. The goal is to create a dialogue with the community, ensuring exhibitions are accessible, educational, and resonant with local audiences.

  • This program is designed to offer curators a valuable platform to expand their portfolios, gain experience working with a gallery space, and build professional networks with artists and arts professionals. Curators will also have access to mentoring and collaboration opportunities that will further their skills and careers in the curatorial field.

  • For more information about the Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence program or the application process, please contact info@dashboard.us.

 
 

 The Namesake

 

Mtamanika Youngblood

Mtamanika Youngblood is a renowned community development advocate emphasizing equitable, sustainable growth rooted in cultural heritage. As Chair Emeritus of Sweet Auburn Works (SAW), she led efforts to revitalize the historic Sweet Auburn corridor. She is also Chair Emeritus and past President and CEO of the Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC), guiding revitalization in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District and Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. Youngblood champions the arts, founding Studioplex to provide space for artists in Sweet Auburn. Her work has earned accolades from local and national organizations. In addition to her trustee roles, she has served on various boards, contributing to community preservation and revitalization.

Youngblood holds a BA from New York University, an MBA from Atlanta University, and has completed prestigious fellowship programs. Recently, she transformed her historic home into short-term rentals, creating an enriching amenity for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District.

 
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The Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence Program is presented by the Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC) and managed by Dashboard

 
 
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