Across a guided tour and three sessions, participants will explore different approaches to curating, develop practical creative skills, meet new peers and gain insight into the people, decisions and ideas that shape exhibitions and cultural spaces.
Rather than a traditional lecture or seminar, each workshop will be a space to make, discuss, question and experiment. Each curator will bring their own interests, experiences and approach to the sessions, allowing every workshop to offer a different perspective on what curation can be.
What can I expect?
Designed as a crash course in curation, these workshops will give you the opportunity to:
- Meet and learn from professionals working in the sector
- Explore what a curator actually does and the different forms curatorial practice can take
- Develop practical skills and creative approaches to exhibition-making
- Discover how exhibitions, artists and institutions can shape the stories we encounter
- Share your own ideas, experiences and perspectives through group discussion
- Meet other young people interested in art, culture and creative careers
- Develop ideas that you can expand on beyond the workshops
The workshops are open to young people who are curious about art, exhibitions and creative careers – you do not need to have any previous experience of curation to take part.
What we explore together during these workshops will also help to shape possible future artist commissions at Peckham Platform. There may be opportunities for participants to continue their involvement and contribute to a longer-term project following the workshops.
Book your place by filling out this Google Form.
Exhibition Tour x 1-54 African Arts Fair
Saturday 17 October (timings tbc)
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
A group guided curator tour of 1-54 African Arts Fair – includes access to the exhibition which can be enjoyed independently following the tour.
Workshop 1 x Nikita Sena Quarshie
How can an exhibition tell a story?
Tuesday 27 October (5.30pm – 7pm)
Peckham Platform, Unit AG.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3S
This hands-on workshop will explore exhibition-making as a form of storytelling, looking at how exhibition design, layout and interpretation become essential ways of building a narrative around, with and in support of an artist’s practice and body of work
Together, we’ll experiment with different ways of organising and modelling an exhibition, thinking practically about how the choices we make as curators can shape how audiences experience and understand an artist’s work.
Workshop 2 x Alisha O’Brien-Coker
What is a curator and where could a career in curation take you?
Tuesday 3 November (6pm – 7.30pm)
Peckham Platform, Unit AG.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN
This workshop will provide an introduction to the curatorial profession and the many different roles and possibilities it can involve. Together, we will explore what it means to be a “curator”, as well as developing an understanding of the different types of art spaces, institutions and organisations they can occupy.
We will discuss why exhibitions continue to play an important role in society and unpack some of the key aspects of the exhibition-making process.
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop practical skills and create a step-by-step plan for building your own curatorial portfolio, giving you something tangible to take away and continue developing after the session.
Workshop 3 x Brian Maina
What does curatorial activism mean?
Tuesday 10 November (5.30pm – 7pm)
Peckham Platform, Unit AG.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN
Drawing on key themes from the book Curatorial Activism by Maura Reilly (2018), together we will explore how curators can use exhibitions, collections and cultural spaces to challenge whose stories are traditionally represented, address inequality and create space for artists and communities who have often been overlooked.
We will consider the choices curators make, the power and responsibility that comes with shaping how stories are told and exploring how young people can bring their own experiences, perspectives and values into curatorial practice.
Expect conversation, activities and opportunities to think critically about who gets represented, who gets to tell the story and how exhibitions can create space for different voices.
Join the conversation
Whether you’re already interested in becoming a curator, an artist or working in the arts, or you’re simply curious about how exhibitions come together, this series is an opportunity to get involved, ask questions and explore what curation could mean for you.
Come along to one workshop or join us across the series to build your knowledge, meet new people and become part of Peckham Platform’s wider programme for young people.
Dates and times
Saturday 17 October (timings tbc): 1-54 African Art Fair Guided Tour
Tuesday 27 October (5.30pm – 7pm): Workshop 1 with Nikita Sena Quarshie
Tuesday 3 November (6pm – 7.30pm): Workshop 2 with Alisha O’Brien-Coker
Tuesday 10 November (5.30pm – 7pm): Workshop 3 with Brian Maina
Locations
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Peckham Platform, Unit AG.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN
