Professional Development Lecture – Andre Stitt

Curation Exhibition Production

What makes a good curator?

• Curator Contemporary … Selected interpreter of selected works of art in a show 

                                        … Also now includes many other elements, producer, educator and elevator

                                        … Might have to commission new works 

• 21^stcentury curator may have to interact in public now / talks etc…
• Curator is likely to be the person writing the labels/ catalogue essays/ web texts/ social media

Different Types of Curators 

• Museum curators/ specialist curators (e.g. print/ ceramic/ etc)
• Independent curators (freelance etc.)/ head of department curator
• Artist (as) curator – break free of major institutional “disregard academic rigor” as in terms of conventional rules 
• “Curator could be creating the project as a work of art in itself”

The curator an… for ideas

• Hans Ulbricht Obrist – Serpentine Gallery – Unique Curator
• Ideas and inspirations/ curator as responsive
• What are current debates/ what are current trends important to grab attention

In regards to our show, how are we going to be different to past years?

• Important to engage in as many different experiences of out as possible 

“Stakeholders, funders or sponsors agenda”

• Interested parties/ permissions/ agendas 
• Use buzz words to create interest
• Might go to the local arts council 

+ they might want to know the impact on the locals

+ might want workshops/ educational elements

Types of Exhibition

• Collection displays – works from permanent collections of a museum or gallery
• Special display – implies something exceptional 
• ‘in-focus’ display – work from other institutions
• Temporary exhibitions – e.g. artes mundi 
• Monographic Exhibitions –  a focus on one mid-career artist or retrospective 
• Historic Exhibitions – Made from artists
• Periodic Exhibitions – Biennale – Italian for ‘every other year’

Commissioned Projects

• Provides curators and artists with the opportunity of funded works
• Turbine Hall – etc. Olafur Eliasson – The weather project 

                                  Louise Bourgeois – I do, Redo, Undo

Art Fairs

• “Touring Exhibitions” – if things sell it will continuously change
• Enhances reputation
• May get other works from this
• FRIEZE ART FAIR – ART BASEL – LONDON ART FAIR

Performance Art Festivals 

• Tempting Failure 
• National review of live art
• NIPAF – Nippon international performance art festival 

[2] Exhibition – Production

What makes a great exhibition?

20 Percent flair and Administration 80 Percent …

What you need to think about and what you need to do.

Exhibition  outline document proposal::

• Name of curator/s and contacts
• Proposal (venue space location)
• Rationale for this choice 
• Date proposal
• Scale/ space
• Work types 
• Displays 
• Use of space/ plinths
• Exhibition concept
• Open access/ narrative etc…
• Rationale for timing of exhibition
• Could unlock funding 
• Contemporary relevance 
• Potential audience
• Potential tour venues
• Budgets
• Biography of artists
• Initial list of artists
• Details of any publications planned 
• Writers include/ works included
• Last comparable exhibition 
• What makes it different

Planning and spotting potential issues

-discuss ideas with trusted mentor/ college 

– Discuss with old tutors 

– discuss relevancy with other curators

– refine your documents

-finalise artworks – All elements listed/ w. photographer credits and copyright rights

– images; name; title; medium dimensions; date; location; photographer

Contingency Works-

How will works be installed/ space planning online + 3d models of work

Budgets and Fundraising

• Need realistic Budget
• Check money available
• Stick to the budget
• Contingency within your budget 
• Financial accountability
• Double check with someone else 
• Funding sponsors/ sponsorship in kind

-E.G. getting logos off companies 

-Students Names / recognition

• Identifying and persuading sponsors
• Charitable trusts and foundations
• Taring agreements and fees

-Legally binding documents/ contracts

Contracts, Recognitions and obligations 

• Institutions
• Commercial galleries 
• Artist initiatives 
• Individual artists
• Organisations

Exhibition Fees

• Curators fees/ Artists Fees/ Others

Exhibition Payment

• AN – Paying exhibition Guide
• Don’t be afraid to ask about the money

Plan Evaluations 

• Walkthrough / space flow
• Use of space 
• Visitors surveys 
• Design 
• Overseeing print and productions

Practical Onsite Installation and Management 

• The venue and its architecture 
• Exhibition design;  CAD, scale models and walking the space
• Sequencing exhibition with works of art
• How long visitor will spend with an exhibition?
• Technology and new media – booking AV equipment 
• Black Box Spaces 
• Building walls/ wall colours
• Signage 

Display Furniture; Plinths, Perspex/ Plexiglass Covers, space, visitor access, object display, step back distance, Barriers, insurance – Research in different types // public liability insurance, transport 

What happens when the art arrives: Storage/ Animal insect infestation

Document the exhibition process/ Great for promo

Health and Safety – Risk Assessment 

• Sharp Edges 
• Strobe lighting 
• Moving elements/ danger elements
• Adapter plugs/ step down plugs
• Trailing cables/ wires
• Hazardous chemicals 
• Organic materials/ fire risk 
• Installation of works/ e.g. ladders

Martin Williams – Risk assessment for CSAD

CSAD – ethics committee/ photos etc. DNA

Installation::

Handling works of art:

• Installation schedule 
• How long to complete works
• Fixing works to the walls 
• Placing the work on plinths, lighting agree on lay art 
• Sign off H+S issues 
• Educational events, resource spaces, areas 
• Public liability insurance

Promotion:

• Chris Denis – CSAD contact
• Writing press release 
• Private view
• Mailing lists 
• Social media
• Posters/ e flyers
• Refreshments
• Planning opening event 

During/ After:

• Documents exhibition/ Invigilation
• Follow up enquiries and building a network
• Taking down show – get out transport

Key things curators need to do post opening

• Tacks, tours, public engagement, patrons, sponsors
• Press PR, interviews, networks 
• Walk through with the public
• Regular installation checks 
• Thank you letters
• Evaluation + review:  success and learning from mistakes

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