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Curating Contemporary Art (ACUR90008)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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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
- 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
- Be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Essay
| Mid semester | 50% |
Written exercise
| Week 10 | 25% |
Public program and platform proposal
| During the examination period | 25% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Mimi Kelly 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 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
- Subject notes
Admission to the Master of Art Curatorship, or to the Graduate Certificate (Advanced) - Art History, Graduate Diploma (Advanced) - Art History or fourth-year honours in Art History is required.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Art History - 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.
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
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024