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:
creating the exhibition concept and defining the ways in which it will be presented to the public
organizing the exhibition itself and taking the concept from idea to reality
the practical aspects of organizing an exhibition (defining who’s doing what, managing deadlines, spaces, collaborations, etc.)
making sure that every aspect of the exhibition is going in the right direction (in line with the larger concept)
having the artist’s/artists’ best interest(s) in mind
taking into consideration the needs and abilities of the gallery/space in which the exhibition is being organized
writing any texts related to the exhibition (forewords, essays, didactic material, PR pieces)
promoting the exhibition through traditional and contemporary marketing channels (TV, radio, newspaper, social media, etc.)
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.
Hopefully, the story doesn’t end there. If we are all happy with the collaboration, it can continue in other exhibitions and projects or even turn into a friendship.
If you would like to see how DLightful Services can help you organize your exhibition, it’s best to contact us directly and set up a call.
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.
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 at:
PROFFESIONALITY AND COMPETENCE
RICH CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
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.
EXCELLENT ORGANIZATION SKILLS
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.
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.
EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
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.
3 IN 1
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.