Curatorial Studies explores the art of selecting, organizing, and presenting artworks in exhibitions and museums. You'll learn about exhibition design, collection management, and the role of curators in shaping cultural narratives. The course covers art history, conservation techniques, and the practical aspects of running galleries and museums.

Is Curatorial Studies hard?

Curatorial Studies can be challenging, but it's not impossible. The workload can be heavy, with lots of reading and writing about art history and theory. The trickiest part is developing a keen eye for art and learning to articulate your ideas clearly. But if you're passionate about art and enjoy organizing things, you'll probably find it more exciting than difficult.

Tips for taking Curatorial Studies in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Visit local museums and galleries regularly to see curating in action
Practice writing exhibition proposals and artist statements
Create a mock exhibition using digital tools or a small physical space
Watch documentaries like "The Price of Everything" or "The Art of the Steal"
Read "Ways of Curating" by Hans Ulrich Obrist for insider insights
Start a blog or Instagram account to practice describing and contextualizing artworks

Common pre-requisites for Curatorial Studies

Art History Survey: This course provides a broad overview of art movements and styles throughout history. It's essential for understanding the context of artworks you'll be curating.
Introduction to Museum Studies: This class covers the basics of how museums function, including collection management and exhibition planning. It's a great foundation for aspiring curators.

Classes similar to Curatorial Studies

Gallery Management: Focuses on the business side of running art spaces, including sales, marketing, and artist relations. You'll learn how commercial galleries operate and promote artists.
Exhibition Design: Dives deep into the practical aspects of creating engaging displays. You'll learn about lighting, spatial layout, and how to create cohesive narratives through art arrangement.
Art Conservation: Explores techniques for preserving and restoring artworks. This class teaches you about different materials and how to protect art from environmental damage.
Digital Curation: Focuses on curating in the digital age, including online exhibitions and managing digital art collections. You'll learn about web design and digital archiving techniques.

Art History: Focuses on the study of visual arts throughout history, providing context for artistic movements and individual works. Students learn to analyze and interpret art within its cultural and historical framework.
Museum Studies: Covers the theory and practice of museum operations, including collection management, exhibition design, and public engagement. Students learn about the role of museums in society and how to effectively communicate cultural narratives.
Arts Administration: Combines business skills with artistic knowledge to prepare students for management roles in cultural institutions. Students learn about fundraising, marketing, and organizational leadership in the arts sector.

What can you do with a degree in Curatorial Studies?

Museum Curator: Selects artworks for exhibitions, researches and writes about collections, and oversees the care and display of art objects. Curators often specialize in specific periods or types of art and play a key role in shaping a museum's identity.
Gallery Director: Manages the operations of an art gallery, including selecting artists to represent, organizing exhibitions, and handling sales. Gallery directors often work closely with collectors and serve as a bridge between artists and the art market.
Art Consultant: Advises clients on art purchases and helps build private or corporate collections. Art consultants need a deep knowledge of art history and the current art market to guide their clients' investments.
Exhibition Designer: Creates the physical layout and visual presentation of museum exhibitions. Exhibition designers work with curators to translate curatorial concepts into engaging spatial experiences for visitors.