Deadline to Apply: Friday, March 14, 2025
Open to applicants who are Black, Indigenous, or people of colour
QWF is accepting applications for the 2025 Fresh Pages Guest Curatorship.
A component of QWF’s Fresh Pages Diversity Initiative, the Guest Curatorship is a temporary, part-time, paid opportunity designed to help an aspiring literary artist who is Black, Indigenous, or a person of colour develop skills in creating and curating literary and other arts events.
The successful candidate will work under the guidance of spoken word artist, writer, and mentor Kym Dominique-Ferguson to curate the September 2025 edition of the Words and Music Show, QWF’s musical and literary performance cabaret series.
The guest curatorship provides:
- Approximately 15 hours of mentorship
- An $800 honorarium
- A free one-year membership (or extension of membership) in the Quebec Writers’ Federation
Responsibilities include:
- Defining the event with a clear, cohesive theme
- Selecting and inviting performers
- Gathering bios, photos, and other info for publicity
- Writing press releases
- Structuring and presenting a show (typically, four to five performers present their work in a show that lasts 60 to 75 minutes)
The guest curator is also welcome to host the show and introduce the performers.
Your Mentor
Kym Dominique-Ferguson is an award-winning Montreal-based spoken word artist, actor, and mentor celebrated for his dynamic performances and commitment to amplifying diverse voices. Born in Canada but raised in the Caribbean with Jamaican and Haitian roots, his cultural heritage deeply influences his work, blending traditional folklore with contemporary themes. As the founder of Madpoetix Productions, he has hosted and curated influential events like Inside Madpoetix Studios, The Phenomenal 5IVE and Madpoetix Soirée Open Mic, shaping Montreal’s spoken word scene. His play Dear Black Man, supported by the Cole Foundation, Black Theatre Workshop and the Canada Council for the Arts, explores identity and resilience, earning critical acclaim. A passionate mentor, Ferguson nurtures emerging artists through workshops and initiatives, ensuring his legacy as a transformative force in the arts.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must live in Quebec and be Black, Indigenous, or a person of colour.
- The applicant should demonstrate an interest in presenting either their own work in public presentations or in creating a literary, musical or other arts event.
- There is no age or publication requirement.
- Candidates who have already curated more than three public events, or who work for an event creation agency or company, are not eligible.
Timeline:
- Call for applications: February 19, 2025
- Deadline for applications: March 14, 2025
- Notification of results: April 2025
- Public show: September 2025
How to Apply:
Please submit the following:
- A cover letter describing the kind of show you envision presenting and why you are interested in curating events (maximum one page);
- A short biographical statement about your background and experience, including a confirmation that you are aware of the eligibility criteria for the program and that you are eligible (maximum 200 words);
- Your full name and a way to contact you.
Submit to john@qwf.org or by mail to:
Fresh Pages Guest Curatorship
Quebec Writers’ Federation
1200 Atwater Ave., Suite 3
Westmount, QC H3Z 1X4
For questions, email John Wickham, QWF Communications Officer, at john@qwf.org.