ICON - Course for curators

Course for curators

A one-year specialization course aimed at those wishing to develop the necessary skills to organize exhibitions and cultural events in the visual, digital and performative arts, in particular photography and moving images.

If art’s task is to ask questions, propose possible visions and spark processes of critical thought, the curator’s role is to interpret and mediate the messages that art can transmit so that we stop, observe and reflect. 

ICON is avocational course covering the figure of curator in its entiretyStudents study, gain know-how, learn to plan and build up their own networkSetting out to define the image’s place in the here and nowthe course reflects on the opportunies given by technology to produce innovative models of artAnd so it tests new cultural experiences that can harness change and keep ahead of the game in the contemporary world. 

Students gain the skills needed to work as exhibition curators and event organizers in the contemporary image and visual arts sector, as consultants in the public or private sector – in museums, foundations, private collections, non-profit organizations, galleries, fairs or festivals – as editors in the publishing industry or targeted campaign promoters in various professional contexts. 

FMAV and Modena, city for the media arts

FMAV
is a is a culture production hub and professional training and teaching centre for contemporary art and visual culture. This means unique opportunities to meet leading figures in art in a student-friendly city, where art and culture increasingly come face to face with technology and innovation: Modena is the first city in Italy to have been named a UNESCO creative city for the media arts.
 

The course will only be held when the minimum number of participants is reached.

End-of-year exhibition

End-of-year exhibition

The curator course members are involved in curating and organizing a group exhibition with works from the historical and contemporary collections managed by Fondazione Modena Arti Visive.

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Internships and partnerships

Internships and partnerships

Students can apply for the internships or residency periods offered by the exchange programme and FMAV’s Italian and international partnerships.

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Students’ projects

Students’ projects

Discover the students’ projects from the past course exhibitions: new curatorial proposals, ready to be readapted for specific location requirements and to be really put into practice.

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Syllabus

The training course is focused on practical and methodological learning. Students learn a curator’s different competences and develop critical thinking and planning skills. 


The art system and figure of curator
The art system and figure of curator

The faces, the placesand how they slot togetherThe multiple aspects of the profession of curator. 

Contemporary art and image
Contemporary art and image

Overview of the contemporary art scene, with a focus on key artists and works and analysis of the topics and issues of greatest interest.

Exhibition organization and production
Exhibition organization and production

Planning phase and practical organization of an exhibition: relations with artists and galleries, transportation, loans and insurance. 

History of exhibitions and display techniques
History of exhibitions and display techniques

Evolution of display methods and techniques, case studies and devising an exhibition layout. Practical exercises with specialist software. 

Project management
Project management

Fundraising, budget and feasibility studies.Economic sustainability of cultural projects and fundraising activities. 

Communication, press office and social media
Communication, press office and social media

Features of the different means of communication and building an effective promotional plan. Specific focus on social media. 

Mediation and inclusion
Mediation and inclusion

Ways of engaging and designing for different audiences, with special attention to accessibility and inclusion.  

Publishing
Publishing

Overview of books, journals, catalogues, magazines and multimedia products for contemporary art. 

Copyright
Copyright

Main rules of copyright law, protection requirements and duration of protection of intellectual works. 

Thinking in images
Thinking in images

Practical exercises to cultivate a personal visual language and build relationships between thought and images. 

Workshop
Devising new projects
Devising new projects

The practical planning phases from coming up with the idea to drafting individual end-of-year projects.

Workshop
Writing
Writing

Focus on study and practising writing texts and critical apparatus aimed at specialist and general audiences. 

 

Workshop
Exhibition planning
Exhibition planning

Joint planning and organization of the group exhibition from the collections managed by FMAV, to be held at one of the foundation venues. 

Workshop
Curatorship tools
Curatorship tools

Navigating the complex contemporary information landscape: tools for critical source analysis and curatorial research techniques. 

Workshop
Art out loud
Art out loud

Focus on podcasts made by Italian and international museums and creation of new audio content to tell the general public about artists and works. 
 

Workshop
Guided tours

Guided tours of exhibitions and significant events on the art scene and meetings with the initiative organizers and institutions.

Meetings
Job training

A series of meetings with stakeholders and professionals in the sector, plus specific training modules held by the foundation department heads.

Meetings

Teachers

Testimonials

Students

Costs and payment methods

Special early bird discount until 31 May 2024.

Info and enrolment
Course: 23 September - 30 June 2025
Enrolment: 22 April - 15 July 2024
Language: Italian - English
Attendance requirements: One-year course | 1 week per month, from Monday to Saturday
Information:

Contact us for information or to book an appointment. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm.

Email: formazione@fmav.org

Telephone: +39 059 22 44 18