Season 12: New Sitka Partnership

Oregon Contemporary is pleased to announce an expansion of its Curator in Residence (CIR) program through a new partnership with the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology. Since its founding in 2011, the CIR program has been a vital catalyst for curatorial innovation, supporting mid-career voices in the field in developing ambitious projects that culminate in major exhibitions at Oregon Contemporary. With the addition of Sitka’s residency component, curators will engage in dedicated research, writing, and reflection within an unparalleled interdisciplinary setting in Otis, OR. This immersive period will allow curators to develop deeper connections to place while expanding the intellectual scope of their projects.

The enhanced initiative underscores Oregon Contemporary’s commitment to supporting bold, experimental curatorial work. Together, this partnership increases artistic and community engagement statewide and ensures that the program continues to serve as a nationally recognized model for advancing contemporary curatorial practice and elevating Oregon’s role within the global arts community.

Past Curators in Residence have included homeschool, Lucy Cotter, Justin Hoover, Suzy Halajian, Julia Greenway, Michele Fiedler, Chiara Giovando, Rachel Adams, Summer Guthery, Josephine Zarkovich, and Jenene Nagy. Collectively, they have shaped the CIR program into an essential platform that connects Oregon’s arts community to broader contemporary discourse while fostering risk-taking exhibitions that resonate locally and beyond.

For the 2025-26 Season Sitka Center for Art and Ecology is hosting curators Lucy Cotter and T.K. Smith in partnership with Oregon Contemporary.