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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.

 
 

 2025–2026 Curator-in-Residence

 

Sierra King

Sierra King is an artist, archivist and curator based in Atlanta, GA. She is currently a Social Justice For Archivist Scholar in pursuit of a Masters in Library Science and Information Studies, Archival Studies and holds a BA in Art from Valdosta State University. She has had the honor to serve on the custodial team of Kathleen Neal Cleaver papers before it was acquired by Emory University. She has facilitated workshops in cultural spaces as For Keeps Rare Books, Yes please bookhouse and carespace, Auburn Avenue Research Library and The High Museum. She has presented her work about art and community archiving at the 2018 American Studies Association Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA and the 2023 Art Libraries Society of North America 51st Conference in Mexico City, Mexico.

She serves as the founder of Build Your Archive, a nomadic memory work lab where Black Women Artists, Organizers and Cultural Workers build their archives in real time.

 
 
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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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 Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

  • In 2019, HDDC meticulously restored Haugabrooks Funeral Home, transforming it into a vibrant community gathering venue and an enriching art gallery. This venue stands as a testament to their dedication to seamlessly blending and honoring art and culture.

  • 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.

  • 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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