New Curators has announced a landmark £3 million funding commitment from the Bukhman Foundation, providing major support for the London-based organisation’s mission to diversify and expand access to curatorial careers.
The three-year gift marks a significant moment for New Curators, which has quickly established itself as one of the UK’s most influential curatorial training programmes. Now entering its third year, the organisation offers a free, paid year-long fellowship for aspiring curators from structurally disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, combining academic study, mentorship, professional development and hands-on exhibition making.
The funding will support the continued growth of the programme while strengthening its international reach, public programming and institutional partnerships.
Founded by curators Mark Godfrey and Kerryn Greenberg, New Curators was established to address longstanding barriers to entry within the contemporary art sector. Its fellows gain practical curatorial experience through the organisation of major exhibitions at leading London institutions, accompanied by publications and public programmes.
The programme’s inaugural cohort co-curated Firelei Báez’s first UK solo exhibition at the South London Gallery in 2024. The second cohort curated akâmi by Duane Linklater, Ethel (Trapper) Linklater, Tobias Linklater and Grey Plumes at Camden Art Centre in 2025. This year’s fellows are currently preparing a major exhibition by Korean artist Kang Seung Lee, opening at South London Gallery in December 2026.
Despite its relatively short history, New Curators has already had a notable impact on the sector. Alumni have secured roles at institutions including Tate, the Royal Academy, Hayward Gallery, Design Museum and Museum of the Home. Others have taken up positions internationally, including appointments at Haus der Kunst in Munich and the curatorial team for the 37th Bienal de São Paulo.
Graduates have also gone on to work with commercial galleries, foundations and independent organisations around the world, while others have continued their studies through postgraduate programmes supported by competitive international scholarships.
Mark Godfrey, Co-Director of New Curators, said:
“New Curators would not exist without the generosity, trust, and commitment of the individual philanthropists who supported the programme in its earliest stages. Their backing enabled us to create a platform for emerging curators at a time when there was a clear need for greater access and representation within the sector. The calibre and achievements of our graduates, alongside continued demand for the programme, demonstrate both the urgency and long-term value of this work.”
Co-Director Kerryn Greenberg described the funding as a transformative moment for the organisation.
“The Bukhman Foundation’s support at this pivotal moment in the development of New Curators is both significant and transformative. Their commitment will enable us to deepen our mission of diversifying the curatorial profession while expanding our public programme and international partnerships to help build a richer, more representative, and globally connected art world.”
The gift also represents a growing recognition of the importance of cultural infrastructure and professional development within the arts.
Anastasia Bukhman, Co-Founder of the Bukhman Foundation, said:
“Access to careers in the arts and culture sector is still far from equal. That disparity has real consequences for how art reflects the present and imagines the future. New Curators is addressing this challenge in a thoughtful and practical way, opening doors for talented young curators and helping to shape the future of contemporary art.”
As debates around representation, access and equity continue across the cultural sector, the funding provides New Curators with long-term stability at a crucial stage in its development. More significantly, it ensures that future generations of curators will continue to gain opportunities to shape exhibitions, institutions and conversations across the contemporary art world.
