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189.00 € (incl. VAT)
Duration Jan. 07 - Feb. 04, 2026
One-time Payment
Live sessions
Max. seats
Writing is an essential part of curatorial practice that takes many formats, from concept proposals and interpretive texts to press materials and catalogue essays. Writing is also at the core of the loose and fluid thinking that precedes the concept, making it a tool for developing and refining ideas. In this course, you will learn to cultivate a holistic writing practice that serves you through the phases of curation, from personal ideation to public communication.
Over five weeks, we will explore curatorial writing in its varied modes, practicing how it can carry your voice, reach diverse audiences, and shape the narrative of a show. We will also discover the pleasures of a regular writing practice and consider creative formats, such as a diary to guide the curatorial journey, as well as sketches in notebooks.
Through case studies and practical exercises, you will improve your writing skills, expand your understanding of what curatorial writing can be, and work with its many potentials to enrich your practice as a curator.
Course Outcomes:
Week 1: Introduction
This is a one-hour welcome session. The lecturer will introduce the program and participants will introduce themselves. No prior preparation is necessary.
Week 2: Curatorial Ideas and Thoughts
Writing as a process of thinking is key. How can curators spend more time being writers?
How can writing help to identify one’s stakes in the artworks and catch blind spots in thinking?
Week 3: Curatorial Proposal
How to create an exciting curatorial proposal based on our ideas? How to turn the curatorial statement into an interesting read?
Week 4: The Exhibition
In this session, we explore how writing is present in the exhibition with a special focus on the catalogue essay.
Week 5: The Opening
In this session, we see how writing can prepare us for the public part of the exhibition. First, there is the press text, which is based on the initial curatorial proposal. Second, what do curatorial voices do as they move from page to air?
Language
Classes are held in English.
Format & Modality
The course is fully online and taught live via Zoom in small, interactive groups to support active learning. Live captioning is available during the sessions.
Schedule
Live sessions take place every (Day) from (Time) (Berlin time, CEST).
Attendance
Live attendance is encouraged to get the most out of the course, but recordings are available if you cannot attend a session.
Course Materials
All course materials—including recordings, readings, and presentations—are available on the Node platform for as long as you wish.
Assignments
Optional assignments are included, with personal feedback from the lecturers to help you apply what you learn. Please note that feedback is provided only during the course dates.
Certificate
A downloadable certificate is available upon course completion.
Technical Requirements
A stable internet connection, a computer with a camera and microphone, and access to Zoom are required.
Questions?
Check our FAQ or contact us via our online form.
An Paenhuysen
