Curatorial Programme

 

Curatorial Programme for Photography and Moving Image

 

To continuously support the development of emerging curators and researchers in the field of photography and moving image, Three Shadows has joined hands with CHANEL to create a platform that combines in-depth communication and practical learning, offering rich resources and development opportunities. Based on the practices and observations from the past four editions, in 2025, Jimei × Arles “Curatorial Award for Photography and Moving Image” will be upgraded to “Curatorial Programme for Photography and Moving Image” which includes “Curatorial seminar” kicked off in 2024, and the new extended “Curatorial Engine”. The programme aims to provide emerging Chinese curators, researchers and art project managers with a solid growth path, aiding in the incubation of excellent exhibition proposals and broadening the exchange and visibility of new voices in contemporary photography and moving image curation. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre and CHANEL anticipate providing broader support for young curators to freely explore and courageously express their ideas via the launch of “Curatorial Programme for Photography and Moving Image.” This initiative forges the space for curators to delve into key issues in contemporary art while inspiring more innovative and socially conscious artistic practices. Through this effort to spark positive change and resonance in the art world, it seeks to guide profound reflections on art and culture in society, infusing lasting vitality and infinite possibilities into the future art ecosystem.

 

Curatorial Seminar

“Curatorial Seminar” is a curatorial course led by interaction and exchange. It’s launch in 2024 marks a new phase in talent development within the field of photography and moving image curation. The project integrates multifaceted and cutting-edge photographic art presented at the Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival along with gathered artists, curators, experts, scholars, art directors, etc., offering enrolled members with learning resources and guidance that are closely connected to the art scene. At the meanwhile, it establishes a platform for showcasing curatorial perspectives, and aims to create a community of peers. “Curatorial Seminar” aims to open up enrolled memebers' curatorial cognition through substantial teaching and learning, allowing them to fully engage in self-reflection and problem-solving in an immersive and intensive learning environment with equal and eager exchanges.

 

Curatorial Engine

“Curatorial Engine”, as an advanced session based on the “Curatorial Seminar”, will invite senior curators to provide targeted one-on-one proposal reviews and guidance for selected proposals (no more than 5) from enrolled members. Completed and refined proposals will be recommended to global photography and art institutions via Three Shadows' network of collaborators, reaching potential opportunities to be exhibited at Three Shadows or other renowned institutions, with a certain amount of funding support from the programme. 

 

 

 

About Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre is China’s first independent institution specialised in contemporary photography. It was co-founded by the influential Chinese contemporary photographer RongRong and his wife, the celebrated Japanese photographer inri, in June 2007.  Three Shadows Photography Art Centre has been the country’s premiere platform for the presentation, promotion and international exchange of photography by hosting high-calibre exhibitions, lectures, educational activities, publications, artist residencies and other independent events and programmes. It is comprised of two spaces, north and south: one is situated in Beijing’s Caochangdi Art District and the other in Xinglinwan, Jimei District in the southern Chinese city of Xiamen. Aside from its exhibition spaces, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre is also home to +3 Gallery, image production facilities, a photography library, a photography education centre and a photography bookstore.

 

About the Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival

Jointly organised by Three Shadows Photography Art Centre and Tianxia Jimei Media, the Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival was launched in Xiamen's Jimei District in 2015. Since then, Jimei x Arles has presented more than 300 exhibitions from China and the rest of Asia, as well as a selection of shows from Les Rencontres d'Arles photography festival in France. The exhibitions are primarily presented in the Jimei Art Centre and the Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Art Centre, as well as other sites across the island of Xiamen and Fuzhou. During the festival, vistors have access to enjoy a variety of events including portfolio reviews, lectures, guided tours, performances, screenings, workshops and study tours.

 

About CHANEL

Chanel Limited is a private company and parent of the Chanel group, a world leader in creating, developing, manufacturing and distributing luxury products. Founded by Gabrielle Chanel at the beginning of the last century, Chanel offers a broad range of high-end creations, including Ready-to-Wear, Leather Goods, Fashion Accessories, Eyewear, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewellery and Watches. Chanel is also renowned for its Haute Couture collections, presented twice yearly in Paris, and for having acquired a large number of specialised suppliers, collectively known as the Métiers d’art. Chanel is dedicated to ultimate luxury and to the highest level of craftsmanship. It is a brand whose core values remain historically grounded on exceptional creation. As such, Chanel promotes culture, art, creativity and “savoir-faire” throughout the world, and invests significantly in people, R&D, sustainable development and innovation. At the end of 2024, Chanel employed over 38,400 people worldwide. 

 

About CHANEL Arts & Culture

The CHANEL Culture Fund fosters a vibrant network of creators and innovators to advance the ideas that shape culture worldwide. Core programmes include CHANEL’s Art Partners, institutions whose leaders are supported in the development of ground-breaking, long-term initiatives that bring innovation to the cultural landscape. The CHANEL Next Prize celebrates artists and accelerates their future successes through access to resources and mentorship. And the podcast CHANEL Connects amplifies the voices of thought-leaders across disciplines, generations, and geographies—tackling the defining issues of our time. From driving artistic innovation with technology at CalArts in Southern California to catalysing creative freedom at scale at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, from championing game-changing artists at the Venice Biennale to celebrating the brightest directors at the British Film Institute, the CHANEL Culture Fund extends a century of commitment to the arts and champions creative audacity for a better future. 

 

For more information, please contact:

Programme Manager: Amber Tang
Email: cppmi@threeshadows.cn