What’s a Curator?

April 5, 2012

For the past five weeks the gallery has hosted visits from grade 7 and 8 classes with Meryl McMaster’s photography show titled In-Between Worlds. Today is the last session. For each class I shared a little about my role as a curator. I’d begin with the question “What does a curator do?” Responses from the young participants usually included words like “pick” and “choose” what goes on the gallery walls.

The selection process is one part of a curator’s job. Some other aspects include:

• maintaining a gallery or museum’s collection
• research & interpret a collection or temporary exhibitions
•  document and administer exhibitions
• write labels, catalogue essays and other supporting materials
• visit and correspond with exhibiting artists
• design and arrange exhibitions
• plan future exhibition programming
•  arrange packing and transportation of artworks
• deliver public talks, present research and publish articles
• co-ordinate publications and catalogues

In closing my chat with the students, they’d ask what my favorite part of being a curator is. After of moment of thought, I’d reply: “With every show you learn something new. What can be more rewarding than expanding your horizons?”

Arts Infused students