History of art and architecture graduate Rachel Botha has been appointed as the inaugural Provost’s Curatorial Fellow at the Douglas Hyde Gallery.
The fellowship, which was established this year, offers recent Trinity graduates the opportunity to work within the gallery for a 12-month period.
Supported by the Office of the Provost, the appointed fellow will gain experience in contemporary art both through mentorship and working hands-on in the arts space on a day-to-day basis. Alongside this, they will be given the opportunity to contribute to discourses within the cultural institution, Trinity itself and further afield.
In a press statement, Provost Patrick Prendergast said that he was “very pleased to welcome Rachel Botha back to Trinity as the inaugural Provost’s Curatorial Fellow”.
“This new Fellowship is an important opportunity for recent graduates entering the field of contemporary art and I am delighted to support this initiative.”
Botha, who is an emerging curator, researcher and writer, is a two-time recipient of ArtLink’s Emerging Artist Award Bursary. She was also awarded the Moth Residency Award from Kilkenny Arts Office in 2018.
She is also co-director of Catalyst Arts Belfast and the emerging curator in residence at the Kilkenny Arts Office, and holds a master’s degree in Visual Culture & Critical Studies from Technological University Dublin.
In a press statement, she said: “This opportunity has come at a pivotal moment in my career, giving me the time, support and experience to develop my curatorial practice.”
Recalling her time as a Trinity student, she referred to the Douglas Hyde Gallery as a valuable resource at the doorstep of her studies.
“It is such an important contemporary art space for both Irish and international artists, and I am looking forward to being a part of its dedicated team, especially during these challenging times.”
Director of the Douglas Hyde Gallery Georgina Jackson said that the Provost showed “remarkable vision” in supporting this kind of Fellowship, thanking him for “his passion and commitment to the visual arts and to the Douglas Hyde Gallery”.
“These opportunities are rare but so crucial to foster future generations of curators.”
