CURAE 2025/26
Online Masterclass On Curatorial Practice
Led by
Erik
Kessels
- Where Online
- When October 2025 to May 2026
- Language English
- Seats 13 seats +1 scholarship
- Dedication 60+ Hours
- Fee Early Bird €1,850 – Regular €2,200
Overview
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 8 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, click the Apply Now button and present your candidature for free. If your candidacy is successful, we will guide you to enroll in the program. To be considered for the fully funded scholarship, please apply before 8 May 2025.
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.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Group Sessions
In a collective and collaborative environment, the 7 Group Sessions will allow you to present the current status of your work, collect feedback from both the head professor and the class, and move forward.
Seminars
During the 2 seminars, Erik Kessels will share theoretical and practical guidance on contemporary curatorial practice. These will give participants the necessary tools to research, produce and promote an art event.
One-On-One Mentoring
The 3 online 30-min individual coaching sessions will give you time to engage in specific discussions aimed at working on your assignment ideas and improving your methods. Sessions are tailor-made according to your specific needs and those of your practice.
Studio Visits
To grant you industry insight and offer complementary information, we have invited expert practitioners to host 10 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. These sessions will also be joined by CRITICAE, IDEA, FOLIO and MEDIAE Masterclasses participants.
Final Presentation
At the end of the program, you are invited to present your project live on PhMuseum's YouTube channel. Plus, a selection of participants will have their work featured in PhMuseum’s new annual printed publication.
Studio visits
Alumni
“I’m not saying that every curator needs to be some kind of an artist, but for sure, I believe that every artist has to have some kind of a curator in him or herself. Learning how to edit/show/communicate and sell your work is important and can never harm your practice.”
Why Apply
Acquire practical skills
Get 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 also for your future. All participants will further benefit from dissemination opportunities through PhMuseum’s channels and connections.
Inclusivity
Enjoy a high-end program at our launching price, one of the most competitive on the market. If you don’t have the resources, you can also apply for 1 fully-funded scholarship.
Have an exhibition ready for production
This masterclass offers all the class members the concrete opportunity to structure an exhibition proposal, following all the steps from curating to budgeting. Plus, a selection of participants will have their work featured in PhMuseum’s new annual printed publication.
Other courses you might be interested in
Past Editions
FAQ
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Can I apply for more programs?
OpenYes, you are welcome to apply for multiple programs.
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Can I use the same project in more applications?
OpenYes, you can use the same project for multiple program applications. Just tailor each application to highlight how the specific Masterclass would benefit your project and explain your interest in its focus. For example, specify why you need to create a photobook dummy or incorporate diverse media into your research.
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Are the Masterclasses fully online, including Studio Visits?
OpenEvery Masterclass session happens online. This comprise Studio Visits with invited artists, curators, graphic designers, who are invited to share their practice and insights in a collective video meeting.
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Is possible to join some of the Studio Visits offline?
OpenEach Masterclass session is conducted online, including Studio Visits with invited artists, curators, graphic designers, and other professionals. In-person attendance for Studio Visits is not possible. Participants and guests are located in various countries and continents, and the fully online program allows everyone to attend each session regardless of their location.
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Can the online portfolio be just the personal website or does it need to be a regular portfolio of my work?
OpenPlease provide both an online portfolio link and your Instagram account in the application, if possible. You can further use a private link from Google Drive or Dropbox. Please avoid temporary WeTransfer links, and remember that we do not accept email applications.
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What are the times and days the classes would take place?
OpenYou generally have between 3 and 5 meetings per month. Classes happen on weekdays. Group sessions and seminars generally last 3 to 4 hours. Individual mentoring is 30 minutes per person. Studio visits last 1.5 hours. Most meetings start around 3pm and end before 7pm CET, to allow students attending globally (Americas, Europe and Africa, Asia and Oceania). There is more flexibility for what concerns the individual tutoring.
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Are the masterclasses more of a beginner or advanced course?
OpenWhile a professional level of expertise isn't strictly required, you should have a foundational understanding of photography and a sincere passion for developing their work. We generally filter applications to create heterogeneous and motivated groups of talented participants.
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In past editions, did participants have the opportunity to meet each other?
OpenWe encourage all masterclasses participants to join us in Bologna for PhMuseum Days, our biennial international photography festival, and Photobook Mania, a biennial gathering dedicated to visual publishing. While attending it is not mandatory, it can be a worthwhile investment of time and money to develop your network and strengthen the bond you will develop online through the program. Over the years, we have also met at other events such as Les Rencontres d'Arles, Fotografia Europea, Paris Photo, and Lodz Fotofestiwal.
Contact us
Reach out at edu@phmuseum.com