On My Way: A Day in the Life of a Curator

Summary

Shalene, a 32-year-old curator at the Art Science Museum, shares her journey into curating and the multifaceted role it entails. Curators are storytellers who blend art, science, and technology to create engaging exhibitions. Shalene discusses the balance between research, planning, and execution, highlighting the importance of teamwork and communication. She emphasizes the dynamic nature of curating, her background in biological science, and her passion for art. She encourages aspiring curators to follow their passion, seek hands-on experience, and stay curious about the world around them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Curators are storytellers: They conceptualize and deliver exhibitions that explore the intersection of art, science, technology, and culture.
• 😀 Research is essential: Curators need to be subject matter experts, consulting resources like books, the internet, artists, and experts to develop their exhibitions.
• 😀 Planning involves both creativity and logistics: Developing a concept and managing the administrative tasks, including budgeting and contracts, are key parts of the curator's job.
• 😀 Execution is the most exciting phase: Installing artwork, coordinating with artists, registrars, and technicians to bring the exhibition to life is a highly rewarding part of the process.
• 😀 Seeing the exhibition come together is magical: The culmination of hard work, planning, and collaboration creates an unspoken feeling of fulfillment when everything aligns.
• 😀 The curator's role extends beyond visual arts: Curators work with various subject matter, including big data, deep-sea creatures, and artificial intelligence, not just fine art.
• 😀 The journey to becoming a curator is dynamic: The curator in this story transitioned from a background in biological science to art, combining passion for both fields.
• 😀 Curators need both hard and soft skills: Strong research abilities and understanding different methodologies are key, along with interpersonal skills to work with diverse teams and manage varied personalities.
• 😀 Communication is crucial: Curators must efficiently communicate complex ideas to make them easily understandable for the general public.
• 😀 Curiosity is a vital trait for a curator: Questioning, exploring, and generating discourse around topics are important for creating engaging exhibitions that inspire others to rethink their perspectives.

Q & A

What is the primary role of a curator at the Art Science Museum?

The primary role of a curator at the Art Science Museum is to conceptualize and deliver exhibitions that explore the intersection of art, science, technology, and culture. This includes researching, planning, and coordinating with different departments to bring the exhibitions to life.

What is involved in the research process for curating an exhibition?

The research process involves becoming a subject matter expert on the exhibition theme. Curators consult various sources such as the internet, books, artists, and experts in the field to gather relevant information and insights for the exhibition.

What are the key steps in the planning phase of curating an exhibition?

The planning phase includes concept development, budgeting, organizing documents, making contracts with contributors, and coordinating with other departments involved in the exhibition's creation.

What is the most exciting part of the curating process for Shalene?

The most exciting part for Shalene is the execution phase, particularly when artworks are installed in the space. Seeing all the hard work, research, planning, and collaboration come together is a very magical and fulfilling moment.

What is one common misconception about curators?

A common misconception is that curators are only involved with Fine Arts or Visual Arts. In reality, curators may work with a wide variety of subjects, such as big data, deep-sea creatures, or even artificial intelligence, exploring a broader range of topics beyond traditional art forms.

How did Shalene become a curator at the Art Science Museum?

Shalene started with a background in biological science, but her passion for art led her to pursue a career in the arts. She worked as a docent for two years before transitioning into the exhibition team. She later completed her master's in Asian Art History, which helped her secure her current position as a curator.

What are some important skills a curator should possess?

Curators should have strong research skills and the ability to understand and apply various research methodologies. They should also be able to communicate complex ideas clearly and work well with diverse teams to bring an exhibition together.

What soft skills are essential for curators?

Soft skills essential for curators include the ability to collaborate with different people, manage varying temperaments, and communicate ideas effectively. These interpersonal skills are crucial for managing the team and ensuring that the exhibition's message is communicated clearly.

Why is curiosity an important trait for a curator?

Curiosity is important for curators because it drives them to question assumptions, explore new ideas, and generate meaningful discourse around the exhibition topics. It encourages them to look beyond surface-level understanding and engage deeply with the subject matter.

What advice does Shalene give to aspiring curators?

Shalene advises aspiring curators to gain hands-on experience, such as applying for internships in museums. She emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and allowing it to drive their career, rather than just focusing on academic qualifications alone.