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Curation, Exhibition and Events 2

  • Module code: HA6303
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Level 5 modules
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module extends the critical and practical engagement with contemporary curation explored in level 5, culminating in a physical & digital exhibition curated and fully realised by the students, located in a space outside of Kingston School of Art, utilising the knowledge and practical skills acquired. You will continue to develop a range of vocational skills - including pitching a curatorial brief, working with a client, developing a narrative, storyboarding, creating content for social and other platforms, event branding, exhibition design, audience development, market research, public programming, benchmarking and project management. A strong emphasis will be placed on working collaboratively: you will work in teams to realise the exhibition.

Aims

  • To allow students to apply curatorial knowledge and skills to the development and realisation of an exhibition;
  • To provide students with the opportunity to work collaboratively to conceive and deliver a complex event with a set budget and deadline;
  • To support students in identifying and utilising their own professional strengths and interests;
  • To prepare students for professional roles as curators or event / exhibition managers.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges - physical, digital, conceptual, technical, social - in bringing a complex event to fruition;
  • Participate confidently in an exhibition or event team within the creative industries;
  • Understand the varied professional demands required of a curator / events manager;
  • Have identified their own professional strengths and interests within curation / events management.
  • Understand how to brand, create content for and market their exhibition/event using a variety of multimedia channels.

Curriculum content

  • Working with a client;
  • Pitching a curatorial brief;
  • Sourcing funding;
  • Commissioning artists / exhibition designers;
  • Planning and problem solving;
  • Freighting, handling and cataloguing, objects;
  • Entrepreneurship;
  • Exhibition, digital and catalogue design;
  • Risk evaluation;
  • Public programming;
  • Benchmarking / marketing research.

Teaching and learning strategy

A series of group workshops led by the module leader and industry specialists will introduce the key areas of knowledge required of an exhibition and events manager, building on themes and skills developed during level 5. Case studies (exhibitions, events, curators) will will introduce students to a range of different approaches and styles. Workshops will focus on practical problem solving, encouraging students to respond to real life situations quickly and effectively. While all aspects of event management will be covered, students will be encouraged to develop their own individual approaches and areas of expertise.

The module will make use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas for communication and dissemination of information between students and staff as well as making online learning materials available to all.

All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on business and management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Seminars, tutorials, group workshops 48
Guided independent study Preparation for seminars, exhibition team meetings, exhibition research 252
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

The module is assessed through creative, practice-based assessment within the academic and professional context of the field. Summative assessment comprises two deliverables: a Curatorial Pitch (30%), an individual visual presentation that presents an exhibition concept to a potential client; and an Exhibition Research Project (70%) comprising exhibition prototype and report that reflects the student's specific role within the realisation and management of the group exhibition, and provides a critical reflection of the process, via a multimedia blog (2000 words). Formative assessment will be delivered during individual tutorials and group workshops.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) Demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges – physical, digital, conceptual, technical, social – in bringing a complex event to fruition; Exhibition Research Project Report via multimedia blog
2) Participate confidently in an exhibition or event team within the creative industries; Exhibition Research Project Report via multimedia blog
3) Understand the varied professional demands required of a curator / events manager; Curatorial Pitch and Exhibition Research Project.
4) Have identified their own professional strengths and interests within curation / events management. Exhibition Research Project Report via multimedia blog

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Curatorial Pitch (individual 20 mins) Coursework 30%
Exhibition Research Project and report via blog (Group - 2,000) Coursework 70%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

George, A (2015) The Curator's Handbook: Museums, Commercial Galleries Independent Spaces, London, Thames & Hudson.

Macdonald, S., & Basu, Paul (2007). Exhibition experiments. Oxford: Blackwell.

Obrist,  H. U. (2008). A Brief History of Curating, Zurich, JPR Ringier.

Proctor, N (2010) Digital: Museum as Platform, Curator as Champion, in the Age of Social Media,  Curator: The Museum Journal, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 35-43

Bibliography recommended reading

Bal, M. (1992). Telling, Showing, Showing Off, Critical Inquiry, 18, pp. 556‐594

Baxandall, M (1991). Exhibiting Intention, in Lavine, S and Karp, I (eds.) Exhibiting Cultures. Washington, Smithsonian Institution Press, pp. 33‐42

Graham, B. (2010). Rethinking Curating, London, MIT Press

Greenberg, R., et al. (eds.) (1996). Thinking About Exhibitions, London: Routledge

Jeppsson F. (2010). In Case of Design - Inject Critical Thinking, Frida Jeppssson Stockholm.

Karp, I., Kratz, C., Szwaja, L., and Ybarra-Frausto, T. (eds.) (2006) Museum Frictions: Public Cultures/Global Transformations. Duke University Press, Durham and London

Lorenc, J. (2007). What is Exhibition Design?, Hove, Rotovision

Macleod, S. (ed.) (2005). Reshaping Museum Space: Architecture, Design, Exhibitions. London, Routledge

Storr, R (2006). Show and Tell in Marincola, P (2006) What Makes a Great Exhibition? Philadelphia, Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative, pp. 14-31

Thea, C (2009) On Curating: Interviews with Ten International Curators. New York, DAP

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