Curae 2023/24 Online Masterclass On Curatorial Practice

Pushing Boundaries Of Curating The Contemporary

Nowadays everyone can be called a curator. We are constantly editing our phones, photos, and applications. And through social media, we curate our own image presence. But what about the curation of a proper contemporary photography exhibition? What are the hurdles to take and the exciting opportunities? Which boundaries can be set?

In contemporary photography, this field is wide open and there are still many new ways to be discovered. Over a period of 7 months, artist and curator Erik Kessels will explore this journey. Mixing theoretical seminars with practical sessions, Kessels will teach, inspire, and practice with the participants how to curate the best possible exhibition with their own or someone else’s work.

To participate, simply fill in the form with your personal details, share a link to your portfolio and apply for free. If your application is successful, we will guide you to enrol in the program.

  • When From October 2023 to April 2024
  • Language English
  • Positions 12 seats +1 scholarship
  • Dedication 60+ Hours
  • Contacts If you have any questions you can reach us at edu@phmuseum.com

How it works

  • Group Classes and Seminars

    With 8 online group classes and 6 seminars, Erik Kessels will share theoretical and practical guidance on contemporary curatorial practice. These will give participants all the necessary tools to research, produce and promote an art event. According to their role, participants will also carry on a tailored assignment, which will be discussed in dedicated group sessions and individual tutorials.

  • One-to-One Mentoring

    The masterclass program comprises 2 online 30-min individual sessions with Erik Kessels. They will give you time to engage in specific discussions aimed at working on your ideas and improving your methods. These sessions provide you with privacy and the opportunity to get tailor-made solutions according to your specific needs and that of your practice.

  • Studio Visits

    To grant you industry insight and offer complementary information, we have invited expert practitioners to host 6 interactive studio visits. They will disclose the methodologies behind their work and offer you a better understanding of their role in the industry. Scroll down to discover who they are.

Head professor

Erik Kessels

Erik Kessels is a Dutch artist, designer and curator and is since 1996 Creative Director of international communications agency KesselsKramer in Amsterdam and London.

As an artist and photography curator Kessels has published over 50 books of his ‘re-appropriated’ images, is editor of the alternative photography magazine Useful Photography and has written the international bestseller ‘Failed It!’. Kessels made and curated exhibitions such as ‘Loving Your Pictures’, ‘Use me Abuse me’, ‘24HRS of Photos’, ‘Album Beauty’, ‘From Here On’ and ‘Unfinished Father’.

In 2010 Kessels was awarded with the Amsterdam Prize of the Arts, in 2016 nominated for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. In 2017 his mid-career retrospective was shown in Turin and Düsseldorf.

Timeline

  • October 2023

    • Session 1 Group Tutoring: welcome and presentations

  • November

    • Session 2 Group Seminar
    • Session 3 Studio visit with Anne van der Zwaag
    • Session 4 Group Tutoring: assignment presentation
    • Session 5 Studio visit with Annegien van Doorn

  • December

    • Session 6 Group Seminar
    • Session 7 Group Seminar
    • Session 8 Group Tutoring: participants assignment presentation

  • January 2024

    • Session 9 Group Tutoring: assignment mid-term feedbacks
    • Session 10 Studio visit with Guest #3
    • Session 11 Group Seminar
    • Session 12 Group Seminar

  • February

    • Session 13 Studio Visit with Claudia Küssel
    • Session 14 One-to-One Mentoring
    • Session 15 Group Seminar
    • Session 16 Group Tutoring: assignment collective review

  • March

    • Session 17 Group Tutoring: focus on work developing
    • Session 18 Feedback Session with PhMuseum Team
    • Session 19 Studio Visit with Barbara Hofmann-Johnson
    • Session 20 One-to-One Mentoring

  • April

    • Session 21 Studio Visit with Alain Bieber
    • Session 22 Group Tutoring: assignment proposal final presentation
    • Session 23 Group Tutoring: conclusive brainstorming

Studio visits

  • i

    He is artistic director of the NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf and head of Time-Based Media Collection at the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf. He has organised shows with contemporary artists, especially in the fields of net and media art, pop culture and photography.

    Alain Bieber

  • i

    Anne works as a curator, author and consultant in creative as well as commercial industries. Her practice is focused on the crossovers between art, design, architecture, fashion and photography with a focus on young and emerging creative talent.

    Anne van der Zwaag

  • i

    Annegien van Doorn is a visual artist who questions the often paradoxical relationship between man and nature. Amongst many other, her work has been shown in solo exhibitions at FOAM, C&H art gallery, BredaPhoto, MONA and Youkobo Art Space.

    Annegien van Doorn

  • i

    Specialised in photography and contemporary art she has curated numerous exhibitions in both fields before becoming the director of the Museum für Photographie Braunschweig in 2016.

    Barbara Hofmann-Johnson

  • i

    She is an art historian, curator, writer, editor, and producer in the field of contemporary photography and visual arts. She has worked for institutions such as Fotomuseum The Hague, Fotomuseum Rotterdam, Stedelijk Museum and Foam.

    Claudia Kussel

Why participate?

  • Acquire practical skills

    Get a first-hand experience from an internationally renowned artist, designer and curator like Erik Kessels, enhancing your theoretical and practical approach to curating.

  • Flexibility

    Enroll from anywhere in the world, taking the opportunity to engage in a program you can attend while working or traveling. All the group sessions and studio visits are recorded so you can follow them if you missed them.

  • Expand your network

    Engage with a selected group of peers and professionals from around the world, who can become a resource for you now and in the future. Get to know the PhMuseum team and promote your work through our channels and connections.

  • Inclusivity

    Enjoy a high-end program at our launching price, one of the most competitive on the market. If you can't afford it, you can always apply for the fully-funded scholarship.

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