Tripping Over Canvases: How To Curate A Successful Art Career

By Dontae T Muse

This book is a mentor that you can always keep with you and not have to worry about whether or not you're being bothersome or asking silly questions. The curator is the artist until it's time for the art. There is no straight line to becoming an art curator but this book can help you avoid going in circles.

"Dontae T. Muse's Tr

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Art Life Publishing Company LLC
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798892170130

Book preview

Tripping Over Canvases

How To Curate A Successful Art Career

By

Dontae T Muse

Copyright © 2023 by Dontae T Muse

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Preface

Welcome to the world of art curation! Or welcome back, whichever fits your situation. If you’re reading this book, then you’re likely interested in becoming an art curator, growing as a curator, or at least learning more about the profession. Art curation is a unique and rewarding profession that involves managing, researching, and even creating art. As an art curator, you’ll get to work with a variety of people, from artists to gallery owners and collectors, and even the public.

Art has the power to evoke emotions, spark conversation, and inspire change. As a curator, it is your role to not only select and display works of art but to create an experience that allows viewers to connect with the art and the ideas behind it. The role of a curator is not only to organize exhibitions but to create meaningful interactions between art, artists, and the people in the community.

In recent years, the field of art curation has experienced tremendous growth, with more people taking an interest in art and museums, and with technology enabling greater access to art from around the world. At the same time, the art world has become increasingly competitive, making it more challenging to break into the field and achieve success.

This book is designed to help aspiring curators navigate this complex and dynamic field, offering practical advice and guidance on how to become a successful art curator. This book will also provide practical advice and tips on how to create a successful career in art curation. We’ll cover everything from how to create a portfolio and find clients, to how to create a successful exhibition and build a strong network. We’ll also discuss the importance of marketing yourself and your work, and how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the art world.

The first part of the book will focus on the basics of art curation, including the history of curating, the different types of curators and institutions, and the key skills and qualities that are essential for success in this field. From there, we will delve into the process of curating an exhibition, from selecting a theme and choosing works of art to creating a compelling narrative and designing an exhibition space.

The second part of the book will explore the role of the curator in the larger art world, including the business side of art curation, networking and building relationships with artists, collectors, and other industry professionals, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the art world.

Throughout the book, we will also explore some of the ethical and political considerations that come with the job of a curator, such as how to balance the commercial demands of the art market with the educational and public service aspects of curating, how to ensure diversity and inclusivity in exhibitions, and how to navigate issues of censorship and freedom of expression.

This book is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to art curation, as the field is constantly evolving and each curator's path to success is unique. Rather, it is a resource that will provide you with a foundation of knowledge and skills, and inspire you to approach curating with creativity, passion, and an open mind so keep it close.

My goal is that by the end of this book, you’ll have a better understanding of what it takes to become an art curator and how to stand out in the field. Whether you’re a recent graduate, an aspiring professional, an experienced curator, or someone not currently in the art world but who just greatly appreciates art and artists, this book will provide you with the necessary tools to achieve success, or more success, in the field of art curation.

Becoming a successful art curator requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and creativity. It also requires a willingness to take risks, learn from your mistakes, and continually challenge yourself to grow and evolve as a curator. Whether you are just starting in the field or have years of experience under your belt, this book will offer you valuable insights and inspiration to help you achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact in the art world.

Whether you want to work for an organization as a curator, be a roaming independent curator, or even just curate your art shows and exhibit your personal work this book is for you and a friend. Don’t forget to tell a friend.

So, let’s get started. Here’s to a successful career in art curation!

Table of Contents

What Is Art Curating?

A Brief History Of Art Curation

The Role Of An Art Curator

The Benefits Of Becoming An Art Curator

Getting A Degree In Art History

Finding An Internship

Applying For Art Curator Positions

Curating Your Own Art Exhibitions

Funding Your Exhibit

Writing for Art Magazines and Blogs

Building a Professional Network

Researching Different Artists and Artworks

Understanding The Art Market

Working With Art Collectors

Showcasing Your Talent

Networking with Art Writers and Galleries

Making Connections with Other Art Professionals

The Biggest Challenges

Keeping Up With Trends

Having a Niche

The Importance of Storytelling

Designing and Installing

How To Research and Assess Pricing

Writing and Promoting Exhibition Catalogs

Learning From Experienced Art Curators

Negotiating Fees And Contracts

Make Everything An Event

During the Exhibition

Curating Your Career

Understanding the Legal and Ethical Implications of Art Curation

How You Can Potentially Fail

The Biggest Challenges

What The Future Holds For Art Curators

Final Thoughts on Becoming an Art Curator

What Is Art Curating?

W

hen most people think of an art curator they don’t think of an artist. I mean, they might think of artists being involved with what the curator does but they seldom think of the curators themselves as being artists. Art curating is made out to be much simpler and anybody can do it than it is in reality. I mean, yes, technically, anyone can do it but anyone can sing, too, but I'm sure there are many people you would quickly ask to be quiet. Just because everyone can does not mean everyone should.

There is an art to curating. Art is done by artists therefore a curator is an artist. I hope my logic makes sense. You can choose to agree or disagree but I believe that most people who frequent art spaces have come to realize that not all art-related events or collections are created equal. They are different because the people who curated them are different.

You could have the same theme, location, and even some of the same artists and two shows could look completely different from each other. It is the same as with any other medium of artistry. Two different painters could have the same palette and same concept but because of having different visions, they will produce different results.

No one will ever have the same exact vision as you because vision is seen through the eyes (including the