Curatorial Studies at KASK is an intensive one-year English-language postgraduate course aimed at applicants with an MA or equivalent experience in the arts, humanities or sciences and a keen interest in contemporary art. Established in 1999, Curatorial Studies is the only postgraduate curatorial programme in Belgium, benefitting from a unique partnership between KASK & Conservatorium (HOGENT – Howest), Ghent University and S.M.A.K.

On this course students become familiar with contemporary curatorial practices across a variety of contexts, such as museums, foundations, artist-run spaces and commissioning agencies. Curatorial Studies at KASK stands out among comparable European and North American programmes for the breadth of skills it covers, from conservation and exhibition history/theory to collection management and public mediation. Through this programme, students are equipped to excel in the curatorial field, in its practical as well as theoretical applications.

What will you be studying?

Curatorial Studies considers curation – from the Latin ‘cura’, to care for – to be a vital link between cultural production and the wider social sphere. In this expanded definition, the curatorial touches the entire spectrum of cultural production, including historical and artistic research, documentation and archival projects, and the organisation of public events. Curatorial Studies students are confronted with the diverse possibilities of the curatorial, from the collection, conservation and study of modern and contemporary art to developing new ways of making art public through on- and off-line displays, publications, pedagogical, social and performative interventions. Our Curatorial Studies programme not only encourages students to develop their personal curatorial practice through the making of exhibitions, publications and events, it also lays emphasis on collaborative forms of cultural agency with a final collective project acting as a culmination point.

Through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops and independent research, students become conversant with the most up-to-date debates within the contemporary curatorial field, particularly as these intersect with social, political and ethical issues. Drawing on Ghent’s exceptional cultural history and resources, as well as its proximity to major European cities, the programme comprises numerous behind-the-scenes visits to key art institutions in Belgium and internationally. The students’ experience is further enhanced by regular talks by prominent speakers. All Curatorial Studies staff members are research-active and recognised in their areas of specialisation, as conservation specialists, mediators, curators, and scholars. This expertise allows for an immersive experience, where students are immediately put into contact with real-world situations and professional challenges.

And then…

Equipped with the extensive knowledge and contacts acquired during the programme, students (re)enter the professional field in a position of strength. The programme’s alumni find employment in the artistic sector upon graduation, in museums, galleries, non-profit art spaces, governmental agencies, biennials, artist studios, magazines and, not least, academia. Moreover, given the long history of the programme, Curatorial Studies graduates benefit from a large network of alumni who remain active in the cultural field.

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