Curating Contemporary Art (ACUR90008)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will introduce students to the various practices of curating contemporary art. The professional context for curating contemporary art has evolved from curating exhibitions and conserving collections in art museums. Now, however, contemporary art curating is practiced both within and beyond art institutions and has undergone massive global expansion. The subject will develop the skills unique to curating contemporary art by analyzing these shifts, by explaining recent theories of contemporary art curatorship, by surveying innovations and developments that have taken place in recent contemporary art curatorship including in laboratory-format public programs, as well as by defining and exploring the dedicated professional networks of freelance and emerging contemporary art curators.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- have an understanding of the key issues in current debates regarding the curating of contemporary art in exhibitions and biennials;
- have an understanding of the knowledge and skills relating to freelance curating practices, ranging from commissioning and selecting new works of art to mentoring artists, including the curating of non-object-based art, time-based art and performance art;
- have an understanding of the knowledge and skills relating to contemporary art exhibition catalogue writing, the production of substantial public programs and other exhibition tools;
- gain an understanding of the types of institutions and organisations that produce programs of contemporary art exhibitions, including collectives, biennials and artist-run venues, and their varying requirements.
- be familiar with the skills and methods to produce the new models of public programs and platforms that blend exhibition, performance and symposia;
- have an overview of recent theories about curating contemporary art;
- understand the role of curating contemporary art in preparation for a career in the contemporary visual art industry;
- be able to understand the major debates on contemporary art curatorship, and be able to relate these to curators in Australia; and
- gain a knowledge of the changing nature of curating contemporary art, including nomadic, peripatetic, free-lance models and the professionalization of contemporary art curatorship.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
- be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgments and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
- be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
- be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision; and
- be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Major in art history or a cognate discipline, or other background as deemed appropriate after individual student discussion with the Subject Coordinator.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Essay
| Mid semester | 50% |
Written exercise
| Week 10 | 25% |
Public program and platform proposal
| During the examination period | 25% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Alana Kushnir Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: 12 x 2 hour seminar per week throughout semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022