How To Become An Independent Curator Short Course
Course description
Course overview
This course will provide you with an essential tool kit to become an independent curator and is designed to help you think critically about the role of the curator and to identify and establish your own curatorial approach. It includes gallery visits and a guest talk from an international curator.
You'll be guided through the essentials of curating your own exhibition, gallery or on-going art project and the practicalities of organising this. Working in small groups, you'll create a proposal and presentation ready to translate into an actual exhibition.
If you are taking this course online then you'll experience virtual gallery visits which cover a range of curatorial models and will give you the opportunity to speak with professionals in the field. It also includes an online guest lecture from an established curator. For the part-time evening course, the online gallery visit and guest lecture will be scheduled for the fifth week of the course on a Saturday.
This course is available both on campus or online.
Who this course is for
The course is designed for anyone considering embarking on a career as an independent curator or following an educational path in this field.
It is suitable for those who wish to gain an insight into the practicalities of independent curating and an overview of career opportunities in this area.
Key information
Topics covered
- Developing an idea or concept
- Finding a venue
- Liaising with artists - including contracts and commission
- Different curatorial approaches
- Applying for funding and sponsorship
- Forming partnerships
- Networking
- Working to budgets
- Successfully marketing and documenting your exhibition
- Writing a press release
- Presenting/ pitching your project
Learning outcomes
- Develop a proposal and presentation ready to translate into an actual exhibition
- Have the confidence and understanding of how to develop and present your own independently curated projects
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
On campus or online
- Notebook and pen or laptop/tablet - to keep notes
- Promotional material from an exhibition that has inspired you (this can include a link to a website)
If you are taking this course online, please see our Guide to taking online short courses.
Tutor
Sarah Sparkes
Sarah Sparkes is an artist and independent curator whose practice explores the immaterial and how this may be visualised. Since 2008 she has run the curatorial research project GHost. She has organised numerous collaborative and solo projects, working with both U.K. and international artists and realising ambitious events and exhibitions in both public and private spaces - including the London Art Fair and Folkestone Triennial. She holds an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts and between 2009 - 2011 was a Research Fellow at the University of London. As well as leading and curating a number of visual arts projects, she frequently exhibits her own work which encompasses installation, painting, performance and film. She was the 2015 the winner of the MERU Art*Science Award, recently had a solo exhibition with New Art Projects. A qualified HE Lecturer, she has taught within both academic and non-academic environments and is currently lecturing in Fine Art and Independent Curating at a number of London institutions including Tate Modern and University of the Arts. She lectures and has published widely on her own practice and curatorial projects.
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