Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Critical Journal A critical journal discussing the experience of curating an exhibition involving theoretical and historical research (2500 words) | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Project work Portfolio of the student's proposed contributions to the exhibitions, including object labels, introductory/main text panels, press releases, advertising copy, and catalogue entries (2500 words) | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Distinguish between types of museum/gallery visitors and identify the needs of target audiences
Provide written aids to comprehension and appreciation of art
Devise communication strategies to promote exhibitions
Critique art exhibitions to assess their merits, viability and limitations
Aims
This module draws on the expertise of the teaching staff of the School of Art and the wealth of the School of Art collection to provide an opportunity to conduct practical, professional research to curate an exhibition in a public gallery. The module is primarily designed to benefit SH and JH Art History students who will be given priority over SH and JH Fine Art students should the module oversubscribe.
Brief description
The module offers undergraduates a rare opportunity to stage an art exhibition in a public gallery of national renown. It enables involvement in all aspects of the creative process of curating, beginning with the planning stage of selecting works of art and the research for and writing of exhibition labels, text panels and catalogue narrative to the display of the artwork and the advertising of the exhibition through press releases and internet marketing. Bridging a gap between academic study and public engagement, this hands-on experience benefits participants by enhancing their career profile and professional prospects.
Content
- Reading Around: Exhibition curating in history, theory and practice (1 session)
- Planning: Selecting works, assessing the exhibition space (1 session)
- Reviewing: Assessing a current exhibition (1 session)
- Interpreting: Researching and writing labels and text panels (2 sessions)
- Designining Text: Legibility and readability, words and visuals (1 session)
- Spreading the Word: Disseminating information in various media (2 sessions)
- Putting It Together: Displaying art, texts and labels (1 session)
- Drawing Conclusions: Assessing audience response (1 session)
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Critiquing writing samples and commenting on various theoretical/practical approaches to exhibition curation in classroom discussions. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Staff and peer feedback, class discussions and exhibition audience response |
| Information Technology | Word processing, designing graphics and labels, composing texts for online publication, sharing information via Blackboard and compiling information using appropriate museum databases and gallery websites |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module offers a practical experience of working in a gallery/art museum setting and provides insights into the history and processes of curating and the related practices of art historians, art critics, and museum professionals |
| Problem solving | Testing the effectiveness of label texts and designs; dealing with the challenges of staging the exhibition within the space and time alloted for it. |
| Research skills | Composing a critical journal requires students to carry out research using the University Library, the National Library of Wales, and investigating local museums and art galleries |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Working together on the exhibition and collaborating on texts and designs |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6