In addition to learning exactly what goes into the curation of a top-tier exhibit, students will develop an understanding of how curating works by looking back at its history, examining case studies, and hearing from exceptional guest speakers in the field.
Through thoughtful analysis of what successful curating looks like, students will develop the skills needed to navigate the profession, from understanding the roles of the curator to planning an exhibition. Introduction to Curating also discusses the day-to-day responsibilities of a curator and examines how a curator builds a museum-quality collection. Fundamental curatorial skills, including writing effective proposals and developing comprehensive exhibition plans, will be presented. Finally, students will explore the ways in which the field is changing and examine increasingly diverse approaches to exhibition-making such as curating in the digital realm.
Faculty, New York
Dr Kathy Battista is a writer, educator, and a curator of exhibitions in museums, galleries, and non-profits. Her research is primarily focused on cross generational feminist art, in particular performance and body-oriented practice. She is the author of New York New Wave: The Legacy of Feminist Art in Emerging Practice and Renegotiating the Body: Feminist Art in 1970s London as well as co-editor of Creative Legacies: Artist Estates and Foundations. Battista has over twenty years of leadership positions in the art world. In 1997 she founded the Interaction program at Artangel, a renowned public art agency in London. She founded the MA Program in Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York, which she helmed for 11 years.
Read MoreWeek 1: Uncover the history and origins of curatorial practices.
Week 2: Understand the roles and responsibilities of a curator.
Week 3: Learn about exhibition planning and curatorial proposals.
Week 4: Explore methods for acquisition and collection management.
Week 5: Understand how to curate for specific audiences.
Week 6: Examine curation of performance arts and new media arts.
Week 7: Explore curating practices for fashion and luxury goods.
Week 8: Discuss the future of curating with attention to emerging digital practices and social awareness.
This flexible online course is delivered in weekly modules consisting of recorded lectures, instructor-guided discussion boards, and supplementary resources. The course will include a final project with personalized feedback from the course instructor. All participants will have read-only access to the course materials for an additional 90 days after the course end date.
Review the online course Terms and Conditions.
For successfully completing this course, you receive a verified Certificate of Completion from Sotheby’s Institute of Art as well as 14 IACET Continuing Education Units. *
Our digital certificates allow you to share new skills with various social media platforms, including LinkedIn. Successful completion is defined by each instructor in the course syllabus and consists, at the least, of regular, thoughtful participation in online activities and timely submission of assigned papers or projects.
*As an IACET Accredited Provider, Sotheby’s Institute of Art offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Flexible payment plans are available for individuals who register up to 2 weeks or more before the start of the course and are selected during the online registration process. For any questions, contact our admissions team at shortcourses@sia.edu.
We encourage interested individuals to book a consultation time with a member of our admissions team to learn more about this course and our registration process.
Please use this link to book a consultation time via phone or video call.