Developing Curatorial Concepts: Research & Creative Ideation
Online course by Node Center with Lauren Reid
Duration: Feb 08 – Mar 8, 2022
Fee: 174€
Max seats: 32
Enroll before: Feb 4, 2022
Live sessions: 2 hrs/week
In this course, participants will learn research methods and creative ideation techniques to develop a concept for an exhibition or a curatorial project in its most expansive sense. What format will the project take? How will the audience engage with it? What will the topic be? What will be contained inside? More importantly, how do all of these elements connect together to form a cohesive, multidimensional project, aka your curatorial concept?
With the above questions in mind, each week will centre around four core aspects of curating: the theme, the form, the content and the audience. Through the lens of these interrelated aspects, we will explore different research-gathering strategies that draw on methods found in design thinking, anthropology and the arts. Sharpen your traditional online and offline research methods; learn to observe through field work and interviews; and experiment with creative exercises.
By moving through key elements of curating and gaining feedback along the way, participants will playfully stretch the limits of their ideas before grounding and refining them into a rounded curatorial concept that is well-researched and engaging. To get the most from this course, we recommend joining with an idea in mind so that you can really dive into research and creativity to get the most out of your project.
Program
Session 0. Introduction to the program and course overview.
This is a one-hour-only welcome session. The lecturer will introduce the program and participants will introduce themselves. No prior preparation is necessary.
Session 1. Developing and defining a topic
What is a curatorial concept: introducing theme, content, form and audience
Creative thinking and brainstorming techniques
Gathering research
Approaching your topic
In this first week, we will look at how to use brainstorming and mind mapping techniques to go beyond the boundaries of your topic; get the most from online and real world content; and take a look at ways of gathering research.
Session 2. Selecting content and finding a form
Strategies for bringing content together
Curatorial formats
Prototyping
Building narratives
Whether you want to set up an exhibition, a workshop, a photo festival or a boundary-pushing form, it’s important to consider what shape your project might take and what will be contained inside it. This week, we will play with ways to connect content, find a form that complements your theme and consider how the format and concept will intertwine.
Session 3. Audience interaction and engagement
Who is your audience?
Field research
Defining a problem
Audience experience
Who will your audience be? How will they interact with your project? This week we will focus on the audience and their experience to step outside ourselves and better understand how to develop your project in a way that is engaging and memorable.
Session 4. Finalising your curatorial concept
Reframing techniques
Refining and synthesising your research
Clarifying your concept
This final week is all about honing and refining your project idea. We will look at ways to reach the core of your project so that it feels clear and can be communicated with ease.