curatorial studies

As a student, you will be introduced to contemporary curatorial practices in different contexts, such as museums, foundations, artist-run spaces and patrons. Curatorial Studies at KASK & Conservatorium is distinguished from similar European and North American programmes by the breadth of skills covered, from conservation and exhibition history/theory to collection management and audience mediation. After this programme, you will excel in the curatorial field in both practical and theoretical applications.

As a curator - from the Latin 'cura', to care for - you are a vital link between cultural production and the wider social sphere. In this expanded definition, curatorship touches the whole spectrum of cultural production, including historical and artistic research, documentation and archive projects, and the organisation of public events. 

At KASK & Conservatorium, as a student you will come into contact with the various possibilities of curatorship. From collecting, conserving and studying modern and contemporary art to developing new ways of making art public through on- and offline exhibitions, publications, pedagogical, social and performative interventions. The lecturers not only encourage you to develop your personal curatorial practice by creating exhibitions, publications and events, but also emphasise collaboration with a collective final project. 

You will attend lectures, seminars, workshops and engage in independent research in order to become familiar with the most current debates within the contemporary curatorial field, especially when they intersect with social, political and ethical issues. Taking advantage of Ghent's exceptional cultural history and context, as well as its proximity to major European cities, the programme includes numerous behind-the-scenes visits to major art institutions in Belgium and abroad. You attend lectures by prominent speakers on a regular basis, including in the Curatorial Lectures. All Curatorial Studies lecturers are active in research and recognised in their field, as conservation specialists, mediators, curators and scholars. This expertise makes for an immersive experience, putting you in direct contact with the reality of the field and its professional challenges.

Equipped with the extensive knowledge and contacts you acquire during the programme, you will enter the professional field from a position of strength. Alumni of the programme find work after graduation in the artistic sector, in museums, galleries, non-profit art spaces, government institutions, biennials, artists' studios, at magazines and, last but not least, in academia. Moreover, as a graduate of Curatorial Studies, given the programme's long history, you will benefit from a large network of alumni who remain active in the cultural field.