Request for Proposals: Archives and Museums programme | IFA in collaboration with the ZMAC, Pune | Deadline Extended to Tuesday, January 30, 2024 (CLOSED)

IFA, in collaboration with the Zapurza Museum of Art and Culture (ZMAC), Pune invites applications for IFA-ZMAC Scholarly Project and IFA-ZMAC Creative Project, under its Archives and Museums programme. The programme has a twofold objective: to provide arts practitioners and researchers with an opportunity to generate new, critical and creative approaches for public engagement with archives and museum collections; and to energise these spaces as platforms for dialogue and discourse. Read about earlier projects under this programme.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Click here to read the call in Marathi/English.

About Zapurza Museum of Art and Culture (ZMAC):

ZMAC, situated on the banks of Khadakwasla Dam in Pune, Maharashtra, is a not-for-profit art initiative under PN Gadgil Art and Culture Foundation led by Mr Ajit Gadgil. Named after a poem titled Zapurza - broadly meaning ‘a creative state of mind’ - by Marathi poet Keshavsut, the museum foregrounds the idea of ‘museum as a learning resource’, and intends to create a space of learning and cultural centre for artists, local artisan communities and the general public. Borne out of Mr Gadgil’s personal collection, ZMAC has objects ranging from rare pieces of jewellery, paintings by traditional and contemporary artists, textiles, lithograph prints by Raja Ravi Varma, a collection of miniature paintings, various kinds of manuscripts, everyday objects and a diverse range of ephemera.

About the Scope of IFA-ZMAC Scholarly and Creative Projects:

For this collaboration, we invite applications to work with three collections at ZMAC.

- Scholarly Projects on the Artistic Legacy of Pune: This collection holds materials from Pune's artistic heritage, which spans a wide spectrum of creative disciplines: painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and specialised forms such as Ganpati decorations. Each artistic stream has its own luminaries, whose legacy continues to shape the work of contemporary artists in the city and have played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the art scene in Pune. To celebrate this rich artistic heritage of the city, the museum seeks to put together an exhibition based on their collection.

For the Scholarly projects on the Artistic Legacy of Pune we encourage proposals that:

  • research and critically engage with this collection and beyond, to produce research based material for the exhibition.
  • demonstrate ability to document and collect materials through fieldwork towards the exhibition.
  • support the knowledge bank of the institution by generating tangible outcomes like audio/visual interviews with artists, monographs, essays, long-form articles, descriptive catalogue etc.
  • present their research through public programmes both online and offline.

- Creative Projects on the Silver Collection: This collection comprises different styles of silver ornaments and objects from parts of Maharashtra, Kutch, Jaipur, Kutuk and Karimnagar, demonstrating a variety of styles such as filigree, embossing, carving and many others. From commonly found jewellery worn by people, to ritualistic objects like gulaabdani (rose water sprinklers), jewellery boxes, betel nut and lime containers, the silver collection represents the influences of different cultures within the sub-continent and beyond. The Creative project with this collection can delve deeper into the study of material culture and design history.

For the Creative projects based on the silver collection we seek proposals which:

  • demonstrate curatorial and artistic intervention to reimagine this collection.
  • have developed ideas and a work plan towards research on material culture and design history and generate possible outcomes through photo essays, illustrated catalogues, audio-visual documentation of the process of various styles and techniques of production etc.
  • have an outline to create programmes for greater public outreach and engagements through workshops, curatorial walk-throughs, craft demonstrations etc.

- Creative Projects on the Textile Collection: With over 2000 varied textiles, the museum’s collection serves as a potential resource for scholars of textile and design history and other enthusiasts. The collection encompasses a variety of weaving and embroidery traditions of the country - from Banarasi sarees, silk and cotton Maheshwari sarees, double ikkat silk from Gujarat, Paithani sarees from Maharashtra, and richly embroidered Parsi gara sarees and even a variety of pagdis (turbans) and fetas, stitched clothes such as Kunchi, Topad, and Dupat and painted textiles like pichwais which depict the story of Krishna. The Creative project with this collection can explore the history of weaving traditions and study how motifs have originated and transformed through different mediums.

For the Creative projects based on the textile collection we seek proposals which:

  • demonstrate innovative curatorial and artistic intervention to reimagine this collection.
  • have developed ideas and a work plan towards research on traditions of weaving, cultural and regional influences and generate possible outcomes through photo essays, illustrated catalogues, audio-visual documentation of the process of various styles and techniques of weaving etc.
  • have an outline for creating programmes for greater public outreach and engagements through workshops, curatorial walk-throughs etc.
  • We encourage projects that think through interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches and methodologies for their outcomes.

Both kinds of projects are envisioned for a period of one year.

Project Coordinators working on the projects will need to research and critically engage with the collections at the physical space of ZMAC in Pune. Project Coordinators will have access to the specific materials mentioned above over the duration of the project. For more information about the collections and materials available for research, please contact Raju Sutar, Curator and Head of Collection at raju.sutar@zapurza.org

Applicant Profile:

  • We seek applications from curators, artists, researchers, writers, performers as well other creative practitioners, and scholars with background in research and keen interest in working with archival and museum collections.
  • Applicants with knowledge of Marathi are encouraged to apply.
  • Since ZMAC is based out of Pune, applications from the region are encouraged, since the Project Coordinators will have to spend a considerable amount of time at the museum during the project period.
  • Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply. To know more about our eligibility criteria, click here.

Application Guidelines:

Send us the following in a single email:

  • A proposal briefly describing the project (as described in the call with outlines of creative outcomes that one can imagine, or research questions if it is a Scholarly project) that could be developed from the visual and textual materials mentioned above. The description should include the vision, approach and possible outcomes.
  • A brief note on other public programmes that could be developed from the material.
  • A detailed timeline for the project.
  • A detailed budget.
  • Your CV with a brief description of a project you have been involved with as a curator, arts practitioner, or researcher. This description should comprise the vision, processes, and outcomes from that project. Please send us a document with links and not attachments. 
  • You can write your proposal in any Indian language, including English. 

Email your applications or any queries to Ritwika Misra at ritwika@indiaifa.org with the subject line: Application for IFA - ZMAC

Project Budget:

  • The project cost should not exceed Rs 2,00,000/-
  • You can request for an honorarium not exceeding 35% of the proposed budget for the entire duration of the project. The total amount is inclusive of the honorarium.
  • Funds will cover only project-related costs and activities, and will not pay for infrastructure costs or equipment purchase. 

​Key Dates:

  • The deadline for receiving applications is Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
  • Interviews with shortlisted candidates are expected to take place in February 2024.
  • The project will commence by March 2024 for a period of one year. 

IFA will implement this project with you directly as Project Coordinator. 

Please note that IFA is committed to creating a safe environment that supports, respects, and protects everyone, including children. The applicant must be aligned with this and must uphold it at all times.