OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME

This course has been designed to give you a deep understanding of the necessary skills required to work across creative, professional and academic contexts. It is aimed at those who wish to develop and deepen their knowledge and expertise in curatorial practices and creative project management.

Civic engagement is at the heart of this programme. Not only is this course designed to positively impact your employability by equipping you with skills for a career in curation and cultural production but you will also engage with the local community via thriving local cultural organisations to undertake pre-arranged internships, volunteering or project placements.

Learning takes place through situated practice. The course has strong links with galleries and museums in North Wales and offers invaluable insights, including behind-the-scenes access to gallery spaces and the chance to learn from curatorial staff and arts professionals.

You may also work alongside your studies in museums, commercial galleries, auction houses, artist’s studios, magazines, alternative spaces and not-for-profit organisations.

KEY COURSE FEATURES

We have developed this course with an ideal balance of research and entrepreneurial skills to help you thrive, growing your understanding of publicity, marketing and fundraising; audience development and engagement; leadership and management. Teaching is shaped to the field of curation and cultural production with diverse opportunities to support your chosen career path.

• Gain essential workplace experience and exhibition understanding.
• Gain research and entrepreneurial skills needed to sustain your career, with an ethos of fostering a sustainable society mindful of environmental and civic responsibility for our future. Develop your knowledge and skills in publicity, marketing and fundraising; audience development and engagement; leadership and management.
• Take part in events and field trips across the UK from festivals to local special events.
• In collaboration with the Arts Council of Wales, you will have the opportunity to apply for the Invigilator Plus scheme, which has previously given successful students the opportunity to meet and work with peers from other Universities in Wales. In addition to this students have also invigilated the Welsh pavilion at the Venice Biennale with a one month residency as part of the promotion team. If you are successful, you will also be part of a mentoring scheme with an established curator or artist.
• Engage with critical conversations concerning the formation and engagement of publics curating Welsh culture and Welsh artists; artist as curator; exhibition as art form; curating performance; cultural production as forms of resilience and activism. There is also an emphasis on writing for publication, exhibition reviews, curatorial thesis, and audience-facing information texts.

ASSESSMENT & TEACHING

Assessment will be conducted throughout the course and will require evidence of coursework (typically portfolio) including evaluations of the practical work for each module.

CAREER PROSPECTS

This course will equip you with the skills needed to work in the following areas;

• Museums
• Commercial Galleries
• Auction Houses
• Artist’s Studios
• Magazines
• Not-for-profit Organisations
• Exhibitions
• Festivals
• Public art commissions
• Arts Education Programmes
• Theatres.