Course syllabus

Introduction:

This course explores the recent history of curatorial practice and writing about contemporary art.  It will expose students interested in working with art galleries and museums to professional opportunities through a placement in a local institution or with an arts organisation, and will develop comprehensive art writing skills for a range of purposes – promotional, critical, educational and curatorial - with the aim of each student taking away a writing portfolio which they can use in job applications.

In the first semester, the focus is theoretical, with lectures and readings which will develop an understanding of how curatorial practice has changed in the last 30 years. New Zealand as well as international examples will be studied.

A 60 hour curatorial placement can be undertaken in the inter-semester break, and the experience gained used as the basis for an essay submitted for assessment.

In the second semester, the course takes a practical, workshop-type approach to art writing with lectures on the history of art criticism, and development of understanding of the different modes of art writing from exhibition reviewing through catalogue essays and exhibition labels, to blogs and tweets.

Course content and structure:

1. History of Curatorial Practice:

From Week 1 to Week 10, the recent history of contemporary curatorial practice will be outlined through a series of lectures and associated readings. Responses to the readings are due weekly, and are assessed (see Assessment Outline).

2. Group exhibition and catalogue entry writing:

The practical group exercise for the course involves curating an exhibition from the University of Auckland Art Collection for display in Old Government House. A short 500 word piece of writing by each student will be published in the catalogue for this exhibition. This writing, and involvement in curating the exhibition will also be assessed (see Assessment Outline).

3. Art Writing Practice:

In the second semester, art writing exercises will alternate with the dissection of great art writing to give you a thorough understanding of how to establish an art writing style and express yourself with confidence. Participation in the classes will be assessed (see Assessment Outline).

Curatorial Placements/Curatorial Practice:

A major component of the assessment of learning in this course is based on a 5000 word essay which relates to an aspect of curatorial or art writing practice based on your experiences in a placement.

In order to develop the knowledge and research base for this essay, students may choose to EITHER

1. undertake a practice-based Curatorial Placement for 60 hours during the inter-semester break,

OR

2. negotiate a different timing for the placement with the provider and lecturer.

This is assessed by a 5000 word piece of writing due on 1 October.

 What is required for the Curatorial Placement?

 In Week 2, members of the wider Auckland art profession will meet the class individually at the Gus Fisher Gallery and explain the opportunities that they have available.

Format of Placement and Assessment: There is an opportunity to undertake a curatorial placement with participating galleries, museums, libraries, archives, online art promotion sites, magazines and radio stations in Auckland. This placement may take place during the Inter-Semester break (from the end of lectures, Friday 9 June to the beginning of Semester 2, Monday 24 July) and will require 60 hours of participation. The placement is assessed through a 5000 word piece of writing, providing evidence of the writing undertaken during the placement and reflecting on the curatorial or writing style developed for the placement. This is due to be submitted online by midnight on Sunday 1 October (see Assessment Outline).

Classes take place on Thursdays 9am-11am in Arts One, Building 206, Lecture Room 314.

There will be visits to art galleries as part of the timetabled classes.

There is a significant mark given for class participation (10%) which is for attendance and engagement. If you can’t make a class, please let me know beforehand by email. 

Course coordinator: Linda Tyler l.tyler@auckland.ac.nz 021912119 or 9239977