The Curatorial Photography Internship Program is a new initiative designed to share our expertise with students and young professionals who are interested in exploring editorial and curatorial work in photography as a lens-based spatial practice, especially where adjacent to architecture, and visual culture and media studies. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to become acquainted with our curatorial approach—in particular our Collection, exhibitions, editorial projects, and research programs—through a nine-month internship in Montréal beginning in October.

The call for applications for the 2024-2025 program is now closed. The next call for applications for the 2025-2026 program will open in February 2025.

Students and young professionals thirty (30) years of age or younger on 1 January 2024 are eligible to apply for the curatorial internship program, regardless of citizenship and place of residence. We expect interns to have completed or be enrolled in a university-level program.

The program provides a monthly stipend of CAD 2,500 over a period of nine months, to defray costs of living in Montréal (subject to Canadian and Québec income tax laws, if applicable). The languages in use at the CCA are English and French. The internship is non-renewable.

Under the guidance of the Curator Photography and New Media, the intern will collaborate in the research for, and preparation of exhibitions, publications, educational initiatives, public programs, and communications and Collection activities related to or focusing on photography, new media, and emerging visual cultures.

We will select the candidate according to their curriculum vitae, the relevance of their critical thinking about photography as a spatial practice, and their intended trajectory in the fields of curating and publishing and all applicants will be notified by the end of April 2024.

The internship will be effective only after the recipient has obtained all authorizations from the immigration authorities of Québec and Canada required in order to be legally entitled to conduct the internship in Canada.

For more information, please send an email to curatorialopportunities@cca.qc.ca.

The diversity of our institution is at the core of our creativity and strengthens our research efforts. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, we particularly welcome applications from persons with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and other people of colour, of all genders, and LGBTQ+ persons. Candidates are encouraged but not obliged to self-identify in their application. Applicants who require accommodations for any part of the application process can contact vsamson@cca.qc.ca to receive confidential assistance.

1) Who can apply to this internship?

We accept applications from students and young professionals in photography, new media, and emerging visual cultures, specifically where these practices are adjacent to architecture, and visual culture and media studies, regardless of citizenship and place of residence, as long as you are thirty (30) years of age or younger on 1 January of the year of application. We expect interns to have completed or be enrolled in a university-level program, or to have a demonstrated emerging practice in the broad field of photography, (film), and/or new media.

2) What is the application deadline?

The deadline for applications for the 2024-2025 Curatorial Photography Internship program is now closed.

3) What if I cannot travel to Canada for my internship due to Covid-19 restrictions?

If you are unable to travel to Canada due to Covid-19 restrictions, we will offer you the possibility to pursue the internship virtually from your place of residence. If you are doing a virtual internship, we will remain flexible in terms of work schedule to accommodate time differences.

4) Is there a level of study or a diploma required? Can I apply if I have a background in a discipline other than architecture?

The internship is designed for students and young professionals in photography, new media, and emerging visual cultures, specifically where these practices are adjacent to architecture, and visual culture & media studies. We expect interns to have completed or be enrolled in a university-level program. While applicants do not need to have formal training in photography or curatorial studies, evidence of a sustained interest in the field is preferred.

5) Are language tests or certificates required?

We do not ask applicants to pass any language tests or hold any language certifications. However, we work primarily in English and French, and expect that curatorial interns be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking in at least one of the two languages.

6) Does the CCA offer curatorial photographic training? Will I receive an educational diploma after the internship?

We do not offer professional training. After finishing the curatorial internship, neither a certificate nor a diploma will be granted.

7) What is a critical analysis? Where can I find information about the CCA collection, events, exhibitions, or articles?

The critical analysis is an open prompt, such that applicants can demonstrate their interests in curatorial work, their thought processes, and give a sense of their ideas about photography as a spatial practice, architecture, and the built environment in 750 to 1000 words. The critical analysis must be related to our Collection, one of our events, one of our exhibitions, or one of our articles.

Learn more about our Collection and archival holdings, here. Explore our past events and exhibitions here, or watch event recordings here. Or, read our articles here.

8) Is this a full-time internship?

Yes, interns are expected to work at the CCA Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, for the nine-month duration of the internship, though some flexibility in scheduling will be required. Teleworking is permitted and the modalities will be discussed with the selected candidates, in accordance with CCA policy.

9) How long is the internship? When does it start and end?

The internship lasts nine months and usually begins in October and ends in June.

10) What is the monthly stipend and what does it cover?

The program provides interns with a monthly stipend of CAD 2,500, for nine months, which can be used to cover living costs in Montréal during the internship at the CCA (rent, food, etc.).

11) Does the CCA pay for moving expenses (plane tickets, movers, etc.)?

We do not pay for moving expenses. However, the program provides interns with a monthly stipend of CAD 2,500, for nine months, which can be used to cover moving expenses (plane tickets, movers, etc.).

12) Does the CCA provide accommodations? We do not provide accommodations. However, the curatorial intern may choose to allocate the monthly stipend to cover the cost of accommodations.

13) If I am selected, is it guaranteed that I will obtain a visa and/or work permit for the internship?

In all cases requiring a visa and/or a work permit, we cannot guarantee that these documents will be obtained, as immigration decisions are made by Immigration Québec and Immigration Canada.

14) Can I study while being a curatorial intern?

The internship is full-time and curatorial interns are expected to work at the CCA Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm, for the nine-month duration of the internship. Part-time teleworking is permitted, and the modalities will be discussed with the selected candidates, in accordance with CCA policy. If the schedule permits and you are coming to Canada from abroad, consult with Immigration Québec and Immigration Canada or a local Canadian embassy to acquire the proper authorizations to study while interning.

15) Can I stay in Canada after the internship?

We cannot advise on immigration or visa matters. We will help curatorial interns acquire work permits that authorize their internship at the CCA for the nine-month duration of the internship. For any other immigration matter, consult with Immigration Québec and Immigration Canada or a local Canadian embassy.

16) Can I bring my family with me to Canada?

We cannot advise on immigration or visa matters. We will help curatorial interns acquire work permits that authorize their internship at the CCA for the nine-month duration of the internship. For any other immigration matter, consult with Immigration Québec and Immigration Canada or a local Canadian embassy.

17) Who will evaluate the applications? When will the results be announced and how many people are selected?

A selection committee will evaluate the applications according to the applicants’ curriculum vitae, the relevance of their critical thinking about photography as a spatial practice, and their intended trajectory in the fields of curating and publishing. One applicant will be selected for the internship. All applicants will receive a response by the end of April 2024.