Rochester’s First Fridays is looking for a curator, in touch with the contemporary art world, and youth culture (aka, you). A curator is not a creator but a facilitator for both the audience and the artists and a messenger who delivers ideas from contemporary society.

1. Contemporary
Curation

2. Introduction
Throughout this year, you have learned that art is not simply a method of
self-expression, but a reflection of our society (the time and place in which
we live). You have learned about artists, both dead and alive, and the
reasons they made their work. We have seen artists whose work is about
activism, social justice, narrative, communication, identity...the passage of
time...gender issues...nostalgia... and everything else. You have studied the
aesthetic qualities of successful work and learned how form follows
function. You my friend are a student of art!
It is time to apply that knowledge and share it with
your world!

3. Task
Rochester’s First Fridays is looking for a
curator, in touch with the contemporary art
world, and youth culture (aka, you). A curator
is not a creator but a facilitator for both the
audience and the artists and a messenger who
delivers ideas from contemporary society.
Using all that you now know, you will
conceptualize, research, promote, and present
a contemporary art show curated by you!

4. Process
1. Concept Development
2. Research
3. Select artists and artworks
4. Plan Exhibition
5. Craft Curator’s Essay
6. Press kit
7. Gallery Opening (Presentation & Discussion)
Refreshments provided by Miss Saidian!
8. Exhibition review of one other curator’s presentation

5. Evaluation

6. Conclusion
The process you have followed in curating your show, from conceptualization to
your gallery opening is undertaken everyday by curators at museums (not just
art museums!), and galleries around the world and right here in Rochester.
This project has given you a taste of what a real world “art job” is like (and you
can use it to get your nagging parents off your back!). Even if you don’t want to
become a curator, the importance of staying up to date with the living, breathing
art world will be invaluable in your career as a future artist/creative
professional!
Also, our next artwork will be created around the theme you chose to research!

8. How can I come up with this?!
For many curators this is the fun and creative
part of the job.
Think of the idea and overall theme for your
exhibition.
What is the purpose of your exhibition: a
survey show, a showcase of new talent, a cross-
cultural exchange, an illustration of a theme or
topical issue?
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9. Exhibition Planning
Where is the exhibition site? Is it in a traditional gallery space
or is it in alternative venues such as public parks and shopping
arcades? Will it travel around by taxi? How will you show the
work? Will you need projectors? Audio Equipment?
Will you involve the audience some how?
Don’t limit yourself to typical ideas of a
gallery!!
Remember the purpose of your exhibition
when deciding on display and venue!
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10. Curator’s Essay
Writing well is a necessary skill for an art curator. Publishing a
essay of the exhibition is one of the tasks involved when
curating an art show, plus it is great documentation and
promotional tool that can lead to future projects.
A copy of this should be included in your Press Kit.
Your essay should outline:
• The concept of your exhibition
• The Artists you’ve included and why they were chosen
• Each artwork and why it has been included
• Your inspirations and exhibition goals
• Sources
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11. Press Kit
Press Kit Contents:
• Curator’s Essay
• List of Artists
• CD of high quality images
• Quick overview (one paragraph) explaining your concept
This kit shouldn’t be sloppy word documents, but well
designed and branded items- You are an artist!
See examples & check out Behance’s press kit search.
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12. Idea Resources
• Possible Themes
• HyperAllergic: playful, serious, and radical
perspectives on art and culture in the world
today
• More Issues
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13. Themes/Topics
This is NOT a complete list, but here are some “big ideas”
to get you started thinking about what your show will be
about. What are you passionate about?!
• Dreams/Nightmares
• Heroes/Villains
• Identity
• Aging
• Power
• Social Justice
• Ritual
• Change
• Relationships
• Celebration
• Spirituality
• Family
• Materialism
• Diversity
• Culture
• Community
• Activism
• Body Image
• Gender Roles
• Stereotypes
to previous slide to Resources

14. Art Resources
• The Art Assignment: introduces you to the
most innovative minds in art today
• How to learn about Contemporary Art
Consider intriguing juxtapositions between art
works. Create an interesting dialogue amongst
the works and the audience.
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15. Press Kit Examples
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16. The job of the artist is to point at things.