Archivorum Ark is Archivorum’s biennial grant program activating the archive as a living process, bringing together established artists and postgraduate students in an intergenerational collaboration to shape artistic legacies through digital archives and critical publications.

 

Presentation

Archivorum is launching Archivorum Ark 2.0, the second edition of the programme, following the near completion of its first biennial cycle (2023–2025). During this first cycle, postgraduate researchers worked in dialogue with international artists BabsHaenen, Belén Uriel, and Nil Yalter, resulting in comprehensive digital archives and critical research outputs.

Archivorum Ark places particular emphasis on intergenerational exchange, women artists, and practices that have historically been underrepresented in institutional archival frameworks.

A core principle of Archivorum Ark is that the archive does not coincide with public visibility. Artists retain full control over what is shared, published, or remains private.

Some materials may remain restricted, partial, or undocumented by choice.

Mission

Archivorum Ark 2.0 is a long-term research fellowship programme dedicated to the creation, care, and activation of living artist archives. It is not a technical internship or a short-term project, but a sustained research pathway requiring autonomy, continuity, and ethical responsibility.

The programme understands archival work as a space of dialogue, listening, and negotiation with the artist. Not everything must be documented, digitised, or made public.

Archivorum Ark 2.0 is grounded in rigorous archival practice, methodological experimentation, and long-term collaboration, positioning the archive as a tool for research, artistic inquiry, and intergenerational knowledge transmission.

The programme is guided by the following principles:

• Digital innovation understood as a means, not an end
• Research-driven archival practice
• Close and sustained relationships with living artists
• Ethical responsibility and care
• Autonomy and critical thinking
• Openness to uncertainty and process-based methodologies

The Role: Archivorum Ark 2.0 FellowArchivorum Ark 2.0 Fellows engage in a long-term professional collaboration (18–24 months) with one living contemporary artist and the Archivorum team.

Archival work

• Working closely with the artist to identify, organise, and digitise selected parts of the archive
• Creating and maintaining a structured digital archive (metadata, provenance, captions, rights information), in agreement with the artist and Archivorum
• Managing databases using Excel and a dedicated digital platform
• Verifying image quality, file organisation, and documentation standards
• Respecting that some materials may remain private, partial, or undocumented as part of ethical archival practice

Research, writing, and publication

• Developing sustained research in dialogue with the archive and the artist’s practice
• Conducting archival research and interviews where relevant and agreed upon with the artist
• Producing a critical publication based on the archive, with the format defined in dialogue with the artist and Archivorum
• Contributing to a shared research blog or journal, conceived as a space for process-based writing rather than promotion
• Producing short reflective entries on a regular basis
• Using writing as a research tool for articulation, accountability, and collective reflection
• Proactively proposing lines of inquiry emerging from long-term engagement with the archive

Collaboration and conduct

• Participating in regular meetings, workshops, and public moments organised by Archivorum
• Providing periodic research updates
• Working independently within a partially open and evolving framework
• Building a relationship of trust, listening, and care with the artist
• Participating in conferences, presentations, or programme-related events when required

Grant and time commitment

Grant: €32,000 per year (part-time), subject to ongoing involvement

• Duration: 18–24 months
• Structure: Part-time, requiring sustained engagement
• Travel: Travel may be required depending on the location of the artist’s archive and is covered by the fellow through the grant

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in art, the humanities, or a related field
• Be aged 28 or younger at the time of application
• Have completed an MA within the last two years, or be enrolled in a closely related postgraduate programme
• Demonstrate strong research capacity, writing skills, and methodological rigour
• Be fluent in spoken and written English
• Be available to travel when required
• Provide at least one letter of recommendation

Strong digital competence in archival documentation, data management, digital presentation tools, and basic post-production of images and video is expected.

Equivalent experience or non-linear academic trajectories may be considered in exceptional cases.

Application materials

(mandatory)

• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Writing sample or portfolio (maximum 10 pages)
• Recorded motivational video (2–3 minutes)
• At least one letter of recommendation
• Copy of ID or passport

Language: English

Video guidelines

Applicants are asked to submit a short recorded video (2–3 minutes) introducing themselves and their motivation for applying. The video should address:

• Who you are, and your current academic or professional context
• Your interest in Archivorum Ark and long-term archival research
• Your approach to autonomy, responsibility, and working with sensitive materials
• Your availability to start on 15 April 2026 and commit part-time for 18–24 months

Production quality is not assessed.

Format and submission

Submit all materials as one PDF, plus a video link. Accepted formats include an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link, or a private link via Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer. Ensure access permissions are enabled.

How to apply

Send applications to: office@archivorum.org

Subject line: Application – Archivorum Ark 2.0 Fellowship – Your Name

Selection timeline

• Application deadline: 03 April 2026
• Shortlisting and final interviews: early April to mid April 2026
• Final notifications: by 16 April 2026
• Preparation and alignment phase: mid April to May 2026
• Programme start: following the preparation phase

Evaluation

By Mia Rigo Saitta, Founder & President of Archivorum