Curating exhibitions
What is a curator?
Throughout history, curators have usually been affiliated with art institutions i. e. museums and galleries. Within their walls, each curator was typically assigned to a specific collection (or the entire collection in case of smaller institutions) – its care, growth, and public presentation via exhibitions.
Curators occasionally walked a fine line, teetering somewhere between the role of an artist and curator, thinking up provocative and innovative exhibitions and projects. This even gave rise to the “star curator” – international, widely-acclaimed curators who, today, organize globally-famous exhibitions such as the Venice Biennial, the Documenta in Kassel, and so on.
Most commonly, curators have specialized knowledge in art history and art theory, but often also have practical art-related experience. Theoretical knowledge about the history of curatorial practices in the world and curatorial experience are also necessary.
So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that curators are most commonly art historians who want to bring art closer to the wider public.
What is an independent curator?
More recent times have seen the figure of the independent curator emerge onto the scene. Their role slightly differs to that of a traditional curator in that they:
- work independently of an art institution (they aren’t employed by a museum or gallery) and
- therefore, aren’t responsible for the care of a specific collection within an institution.
An independent curator works…independently, organizing their own exhibitions in collaboration with various institutions and artists, in both traditional and alternative exhibition spaces.
This, of course, has its advantages, depending on where the exhibition is being organized. A collaboration with an independent curator means that you have more control over the timeframes and shape an exhibition will take. Communication is typically more straightforward and generally includes less bureaucracy (again, depending on where the exhibition is being organized and whether or not it’s organized as part of a project or not, and so on).
What is the role of an (independent) curator?
A curator is often a mediator between the artist, institution, and public.
By organizing and curating exhibitions, the curator prompts public discussion about ideas and/or societal questions which the exhibited artworks present.
Although the role of a curator would not exist without artists, the artist and curator live in a sort of symbiosis. The curator encourages the artist to produce art and (metaphorically speaking) makes room for their creative growth. In essence, they allow them the space they need to do what they do best. The curator also creates opportunities for artists and helps them present their works to the public.
Within a single exhibition project, the role of the curator can include:
Curatorial framework: How we organize exhibitions
One additional role can be added to the previously mentioned list of curators’ roles: making the artist’s life simpler.
Dora Derado Giljanović, the owner and founder of DLightful Services, always aims towards simplicity and practicality – both in communication with others and in her practice.
If you reach out to DLightful Services for help with organizing your exhibition, you can expect devotion and a meticulous approach.
The framework outlined below is comprehensive. That being said, it is possible (and necessary) to adapt it to the abilities and needs of every artist and project individually.
The process of organizing an exhibition
1.
Initial conversation
An eye-to-eye conversation (even a virtual one) is always a good place to start. This is where we get to know each other and we talk about what you would like, what your wishes and expectations are, and we exchange ideas.
2.
Research
While you go on creating your work (or touching them up), we move on to researching, thinking about the exhibition concept and doing practical research – where to organize the exhibition (if you don’t already have a location in mind), when to organize it, who to collaborate with for what, how to transport your works to the exhibition space so they remain intact, and so on.
3.
Preparing the exhibition/project documentation
This can include anything from more creative activities such as writing a curatorial concept to more administrative work like drafting the budget.
If necessary, and if you haven’t already found a gallery/museum in which you would present your work, this step would include writing a more comprehensive exhibition proposal that would be sent when applying to a tender or perhaps directly to an institution. This type of documentation requires the artist’s involvement as well in terms of supplying their biography/ies, photos or sketches of the works they plan to exhibit, and other necessary materials.
4.
Creating a timeframe
This is key to successful exhibition planning (at least from a practical standpoint) and is a necessary piece of the puzzle in case you’re planning a more extensive project or a collaboration with a gallery/museum.
5.
Taking action on the plan
This extremely elaborate step can include anything from selecting the works to be shown, help in choosing the ways to present them (frames, pedestals, and other such things that are necessary to prepare before actually setting up an exhibition), help in choosing the best way to transport the works, visually documenting the works, and so on.
However, the more fun part of organizing an exhibition includes organizing all the activities that will precede it or will be happening while the exhibition is up and running – lectures, projections, social events, receptions, workshops, promotional activities, and so on.
6.
Writing the exhibition text and other materials
This is the part of the project in which the curator can really have the freedom and the chance to shine and to express themselves. A good curator will know how to convey what’s most important about an exhibition through their texts – whether it’s a short foreword, a longer essay intended for the exhibition catalog, or a series of PR pieces.
7.
Creating promo material
Each exhibition should be memorialized, if possible. This is commonly done by creating promo materials such as posters, invitations (digital and/or printed), and an exhibition catalog.
In this step, a successful collaboration with a designer who will be able to prepare all this material in accordance with the standards of their profession is crucial.
Also, if necessary, all the text written for the exhibition can be translated into different languages to increase the exhibition’s visibility.
DLightful Services offers all of this in one package – you can order designs for all the promotional materials necessary for your exhibition, including a catalog ready for printing – but also get all the texts you have translated into English or Croatian.
8.
Promoting the exhibition
An often-overlooked aspect of a curator’s work is promoting the exhibition through various media.
Within an institution, this aspect of the work would be done by a PR specialist or an employee whose work almost solely revolves around public relations. However, an independent curator does this part of the work either themselves or in collaboration with the artist(s).
9.
Mounting the exhibition
They big day has come. In these stressful moments, a professional curator will know how to plan (ideally with the gallery’s technical team) what is necessary to set the exhibition up – from the smallest nail or extension cord to larger things such as sculpture stands or video projectors.
By this point in time, the curator has already planned out where to place each work, how to adapt the lighting to each work, where to place any additional explanatory texts or posters throughout the space and how to “lead” the visitor through the exhibition. However, adaptations are almost always necessary in this step and the curator should be able to think on their feet.
Alongside the artist(s) and gallery/museum staff, the curator therefore takes part in physically setting up the exhibition.
10.
The opening reception
Just when everyone’s at their most exhausted, the big evening of the opening reception arrives.
The curator then changes from their work clothes, which they got dirty while mounting the exhibition, into something more elegant and fitting for the big night.
With some pleasant words geared towards the visitors, a toast, and congratulations to the artist(s), the curator officially opens the exhibition so you can celebrate the fruit of you labor.
11.
Wrapping up the project
Of course, you can’t just leave all the works lying around in the gallery forever. Someone needs to pack everything up, make sure you stuck to the budget, send out any eventual reports (in case of financing through a project) and complete a whole host of other “minor” tasks. This is most often done by the curator-artist team, although the curator’s organization skills can make this step so much easier.
Why Choose Us?
Love towards art
Dora Derado Giljanović established DLightful Services with the aim of supporting and encouraging everything creative, which primarily includes the visual arts.
Professionality and competence
The DLightful Services team members have an MA in art history and a lot of experience in the arts as curators and writers of scientific texts.
Dora also has experience working as a high school teacher, teaching art history, and at the college level, lecturing art history students. During her time working at college and as a PhD student, she has published many scholarly, scientific, and popular articles on the topics of art history and visual art. You can find the full list of her published works:
Theoretician and practitioner
Since Dora is also a painter by trade, her practical experience in the visual arts has allowed her to have a better and deeper understanding of what a specific work is trying to communicate. When she writes about art, she doesn’t write only based on theoretical knowledge, but on practical experience as well.
Excellent organizational skills
All of these experiences have equipped us with the necessary knowledge to organize high-quality exhibitions and projects, but also to communicate with a broader public, regardless of their age.
Experience in public speaking
When working with us, apart from high-quality texts, you can also expect friendly, yet professional speeches – be they for the exhibition inauguration or in media relations.
Dora has gained experience in public speaking through several public speaking courses and schools, through her practice of public speaking, lecturing at college, and also as a decade-long career as a musician.
Dedication to our work
Our team members are organized and pedantic by nature, but also dedicated to what they do. We don’t find our work hard to do since art history is our calling, not only a profession.
Experience in PR and digital marketing
Over the last few years, we’ve developed a whole new skillset in PR and media communications, as well as digital marketing.
Client testimonials
Given the short deadlines we had, I was very happy when Dora agreed to proofread a professional text in English in the field of smart cities. She did the proofreading thoroughly and very professionally, and with a few specific questions, she immediately detected what kind of result we wanted. In every interaction, she was quick to respond and pleasant to communicate with. She met all the deadlines, and we are very satisfied with the final result, considering that she significantly improved the quality of the text written by different authors. We will recommend Dora and work with her again in the future.
The Association of Artists has employed Dora Derado several times to curate exhibitions and translate specialized texts. We were impressed every time by the work ethic of this versatile professional who is both creative and systematic, efficient and relaxed, as well as detail-oriented and comprehensive in her approach to work, regardless of whether she’s working on large group exhibitions that she conceptualized, judged, and curated; solo exhibitions of eminent artists or young, unaffirmed artists; translating complex texts or simple, pedagogically-designed informative pieces. Either way, she is a collaborator to wish for.
Rugby Club Nada Split and Dora Derado began their collaboration in 2013. In its efforts to take a solid step forward in its visual appearance, the Club employed Ms. Derado to create various visual designs such as posters, tickets, booklets, and seasonal greeting cards. Dora’s precision, reliability, professionality, and imaginativeness add a whole new dimension to the Club which, through its work, aims to keep up with the current times in which recognizability plays a key role in one’s marketing activity.
Dora Derado Giljanović performed the proofreading of an English-language academic book edited by me. Although the challenge was immense – the book contained texts by non-native-speaking authors from different countries and from a variety of academic traditions, Dora and her team managed brilliantly. Their thoroughness and commitment cannot be overstated. Dora dealt with each text with great insight, both from a linguistic and academic point of view. She caught many errors that would have escaped my attention! In addition, she kept up a pleasant correspondence with the authors, which helped to bring the whole six-month project to a happy conclusion. I would highly recommend working with Dora on proofreading, especially to anyone dealing with art and related subjects.
As a foreigner, I had a complex immigration issue that required a translator. Dora met with me and took the time to fully understand my situation. When it came time to meet with the authorities, she wasn’t just a translator, she was also my advocate. She understands the local customs and culture and without her translating and assisting me through the process, I’m convinced things would have turned out badly for me. She is highly professional and personable. I was very lucky to have found her.
I worked with Dora on preparing my exhibition “Zavičaj kao vrelo nadahnuća” organized by the Meštrović Gallery in Split. Dora did a great job in creating the complete and coherent graphic design of the exhibition that expresses the spirit of the topic, which is folklore and tradition. It was very pleasant to work with her as she is very detail-oriented and punctual, and she met the deadline with no problem. What I liked the most was that she was very patient and respected my ideas and visions from the start until the end of our collaboration. She has a very humanistic approach to work and collaboration. Highly recommend! :)
I wholeheartedly recommend Dora Derado Giljanović for anyone seeking an exceptional graphic design experience. Working with her on our recent project was an absolute pleasure. Dora seamlessly combined creativity with technical expertise, delivering a document that not only met but exceeded my expectations. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and innovative approach make her a standout professional in the field. I am confident that anyone choosing Dora and DLightful Services will be delighted (no pun intended!) with the results and the enjoyable collaboration experience.
Very professional approach! They are well organized and know their job!
DLightful Services does art management for me, I am very satisfied and I think this is my best investment! Since I have been working with them, I have more time to work in the studio.
I recently had the pleasure of working with DLightful Services, owned by the incredibly talented Dora Derado Giljanovic, to promote my online Business English teaching and my first book. I am truly amazed by the wide range and depth of Dora’s knowledge in various areas such as web design, graphic design, SEO, social media, and project management, to name a few.
Dora’s expertise is complemented by her impeccable organization, professionalism, attention to detail, and remarkable efficiency. Her young team mirrors her dedication and drive, making the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. I am absolutely delighted with the results and the process.
If I could give Dora and her team a 10-star review, I would, but I’ll gladly settle for giving them a glowing 5-star recommendation. For anyone in need of top-notch marketing services, look no further than DLightful Services. You will be delighted with the results!
I’ve worked with Dora on several different projects and have had the chance to follow her professional growth over the several years that we’ve known each other. With regards to her work ethic, I can only say that she is extremely professional and talented and that I can completely relax when we’re working together because I know that everything will be done on time and per our agreement. Behind the façade of professionality is a really wonderful person that’s easy to talk to and in whose presence I like to be, who I like to exchange opinions with and consult. I’d recommend working with Dora to everyone because she truly is professional and motivated when it comes to the work she does.
We had the opportunity to work with Dora and her business DLightful Services at several exhibitions, and the experience was extremely positive. As a curator, Dora demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise and creativity. We especially appreciate her collaboration with artists, where she presented their work with great attention and understanding.
In addition to curatorial work, Dora helped us improve the quality of our website.
We recommend DLightful Services to anyone looking for expertise, commitment, creativity and a professional approach.
I met Dora a few years ago when I needed help while I was in Split for a research project. I needed an interpreter and at the same time a capable organizer who knows how to deal with people and knows the local environment. Her approach was extremely professional and precise. I could not have completed the project without her help, and I am still grateful to her.
As an artist, I have worked with Dora Derado who was my curator for a couple of exhibition projects. I have experienced her as attentive to all the details, very punctual, proactive, and organised.
I found Dora’s writing style in Croatian and English academic, informed, scientific, but underlined by her personal intuition and feminine warmth that embraced the artworks and my story; I felt understood, and well and sensitivity represented.
I worked with Dora Derado for a few months in 2019 and 2020. She was tasked with translating over a hundred pages of literary text into English. My criteria, when it comes to translating, were quite high and I expected the translation to be in the spirit of the English language, which is where Dora demonstrated great knowledge and flexibility. Our communication was great, and the translations were typically accepted after a few iterations and revisions. Dora is very professional and always stuck to the deadlines we agreed on. Working with her was a pleasure and I can happily recommend her because of her excellent knowledge of the English language, her detail-oriented character, professionality, flexibility, and wonderful communication skills.
I would recommend DLightful’s translation services to everyone. Apart from the fact that Dora Derado is a great and experienced translator, English is her mother tongue. Her being an art historian contributed to the quality of the professional translation of a text which was to be included in my dissertation in the field of contemporary art. Our communication was pleasant, quick, and easy. I’ll definitely turn to her for future translation needs.
Working with Dora, Dlightful Services, for my photography exhibition in Zagreb was an absolute pleasure. From the very beginning, her professionalism and dedication stood out. She was incredibly quick to respond to any inquiries, which made communication smooth and stress-free throughout the entire process. :))
What truly impressed me was her attention to detail, and the way she curated the flow of the exhibition brought out the best in my work. She took the time to understand my vision and executed it flawlessly, enhancing the overall narrative of the collection.
The curatorial text she provided was another standout aspect. It was beautifully written, insightful, and perfectly captured the essence of my work. Her ability to articulate the deeper themes is something really impressive.
Dora went above and beyond to ensure every element of the exhibition—from the layout to the text—was perfect.
If you are looking for a curator who is not only professional but also genuinely passionate about their work, I cannot recommend Dora enough. Thank you.:)
We had a wonderful experience collaborating with DLightful Services, who designed the tourist map of Sutivan. Their professionalism and meticulous attention to detail were exceptional, resulting in an outcome that exceeded our expectations. The DLightful Services team went the extra mile to ensure that visitors exploring Sutivan have an engaging and user-friendly experience. Their dedication and efforts were truly outstanding, and communicating with them was simple and quick.
I highly recommend her to everyone, and I’m sure we’ll continue collaborating on future projects.
