Oolite Arts Expands The Ellies With Awards for Curators, Art Writers

John Abodeely, president and CEO of Oolite Arts, speaks to prospective applicants during an information session about The Ellies awards and the organization’s 2027 Open Call. 

For the first time since launching The Ellies in 2018, Oolite Arts is expanding its annual awards program to include cash awards for curators and art writers.

The new Curatorial Practice and Critical Writing Award is part of Oolite Arts’ 2027 Open Call, with applications open through Friday, July 31 for curators and art writers across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. Selected applicants will receive support in 2027.

While many arts grant programs focus exclusively on artists, relatively few provide direct support to the curators and critics whose research, exhibitions, publications and writing help make artists’ work visible and accessible to the public. The new award broadens The Ellies’ investment in South Florida’s visual arts community by recognizing those who contribute to its cultural infrastructure, according to Rina Carvajal, senior director of programs for Oolite Arts.

“The Curatorial Practice and Critical Writing Award represents an investment in the intellectual and critical framework that supports artists and strengthens the long-term vitality of the visual arts in our region,” Carvajal said.

Drawing on decades of experience as a curator and arts administrator, Carvajal said the new award recognizes the critical role curators and writers play in supporting artists.

“Throughout my career, I have seen how transformative thoughtful curatorial work and rigorous art writing can be for artists and communities alike,” she said. “These awards acknowledge that cultural ecosystems are built not only by those who create art, but also by those who help us understand why it matters.”

The award provides $10,000 each to two curators or art writers whose work advances critical discourse in contemporary visual art while supporting the visibility, understanding and long-term development of artists and their practices. It recognizes the role criticism, curatorial research and writing play in connecting artists with broader audiences, institutions and public discourse.

“South Florida is home to an extraordinary community of artists, but a thriving arts scene also depends on the people who research, interpret, document, and champion their work,” Carvajal said.

In addition to The Ellies, Oolite Arts’ annual Open Call includes Studio Residencies, which provide free studio space, professional development and housing support for visual artists; Home + Away Residencies, offering national and international travel opportunities; and the Cinematic Residency, which supports filmmakers through mentorship and professional development.

Applications for The Ellies, Studio Residencies, Home + Away Residencies and the Cinematic Residency will be accepted through the end of July.

Additional information and eligibility requirements at oolitearts.org/ellies-open-calls/

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