What's a Curator? | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios

[@hollytaylor932]

I never knew a curator did so much outside of the "arranging the collection in a room" part! Sounds like an awesome job

[@bludelight]

I never questioned your title as curator. I always thought you were doing the bulk of the work finding artist and presenting their work. Also I figured that you were curating the work that the audience contributed. Basically all of my ideas of what you do for the Art Assignment matched my ideas of what a curator does making the title remain accurate to me.

[@theartassignment]

Glad to hear it, Jasmin. Thanks for the reassurance :).

[@davidshi451]

Perhaps a curator is like a conductor of an orchestra -- you may not have written the music, but you are in charge of the expression of that music. And then the audience charges the stage and starts making wildly improvisational jazz/techtronic sound-art on stolen instruments, playing to an empty theatre, but the street outside is full of onlookers. :)

[@jaymillymills]

Thank you, for the longest time I saw this job as "underwater basketweaving" but now I see it's much more

[@masonpm]

As an artist I had no idea of the scope that the curator title stood for. Thank you very much!

[@Xenolilly]

A curator to me is someone who looks after art on a large scale. It doesn't have to be too large but large enough to be noticeable. This series would count for sure. As well as someone who has at least a room full of art to care for. Also, cute haircut Sarah. :)

[@rcpl426]

So guys, we did it, we reached a quarter of a million subscribers, 250,000 subscribers and still growing the fact that we've reached this number in such a short amount of time is just phenomenal, I'm-I'm just amazed. Thank you all so much for supporting this channel and helping it grow. I-I love you guys... You guys are just awesome.

[@karencrisler577]

I loved this podcast! I never knew so much thought and intentionality was behind curating. I appreciate all the museums and galleries I have been to so much more now!

[@lisayee7695]

I am studying Art History and Museum Studies, and have my first opportunity beginning this week to learn to curate a very specific collection. I am fortunate to have OJT during the summer and fall this year. I am so thrilled to be learning in this unconventional, organic way.

[@TheTessitura]

I absolutely love this video series! I didn't really think about the legitimacy - even the plausibility - of art being made now by real live people before this series, and it's been really amazing. I've learned so much!!

[@nicolecastro7719]

I like how she said that being a curator is similar to being the "middle man" in between the artist and their audience. It certainly puts in perspective what a curator, independent or not, actually does and how much work goes into how they present the art to the audience. That is what a curator is to me, someone who has knowledge about the work or pieces enough to talk about it and explain it to an outside person.

[@fomoriii]

i like what john berger said about curation and museums, that everyone should have their own 'museum' of objects and images that mean something to them, democratising curation and taste

[@penrynsdreams]

Sarah, you are so great. I definitely feel like curation is the bridge between expert and audience. The curator is the person who is deeply in whatever but is also thinking about how to engage other people with that whatever. I mean, it's not just that, because that doesn't include the collection aspect, but it's an important piece.

[@magicknight13]

I am an art history major and want to go on to become an assistant curator and then eventually a curator but I am a little (okay, very) nervous by all the responsibilities and tasks! this made me excited and also a little more nervous. thank you for posting these videos and for sharing your insight to the world

[@Qualario]

I'm a music teacher - the first thing that came to mind for me was a conductor - they have to know their repertoire inside and out, they select what repertoire to present to an audience, they (often) help educate their audience about the works and why they deserve your attention and they are an active participant in the process of interpreting the score and helping the musicians to recreate that work for an audience.

[@ar1439]

Hi, Sarah! I found this channel about a year ago and have loved following along. I came back to re-watch this particular post and, because of fairly recent changes in my life, I had new and different thoughts about your definition of "curator." I recently finished my MA in Art Museum Education and was lucky enough to be hired full-time as a museum educator several months ago. It is a fantastic job, and I love that I am tasked with finding ways to facilitate connections between my museum and the community it serves. Before I worked in an institution alongside curators, I thought that the role of the curator was very different than that of the educator, and so I saw some of what was said in this video as an encroachment on what I perceived as "my territory." What I appreciate now that I work in this space is that my job as an educator dovetails so wonderfully with the job of the curator. We each bring different layers of expertise to the table so that our visitors have every opportunity to make real connections with the art and with one another. It is interesting to me that so many museums (mine included) maintain separate "curatorial" and "education" departments despite the fact that our jobs and goals almost demand that we work symbiotically. I've seen a growing number of museums turn to "interpretation" departments instead, combining the two, to reflect that similarity. I know this is an old video, but I wanted to comment nonetheless because I find this topic, and finding a place for my role as an educator within the museum world, to be so relevant to me right now. Love from Texas!

[@JohnWilsonComicsGuy]

If I can call myself an artist when I produce art for no one but myself these days, then you, with all your skills, are certainly a curator...and an educator.

[@Hhannahdicksonn]

I think that this is a great definition/explanation of what a curator is. Next time I get a blank look after saying that I'm going to school to be a curator, I'll show them this!

[@JoseBYOB]

Probably the best explanation out there. I hate when I go to a museum and get to a piece that doesn't have any information about it on the wall. I think a LOT of art needs some soft of background information so that the audience can try figure out what the piece is about.

[@Kram1032]

so the initial meaning of curator basically was nerd? And given the more active meaning of "caring about" in this case, it's closer to being a nerdfighter rather than being "just" nerd. So essentially, your job is to be art-nerdfighter. :)

[@theartassignment]

Haha. I like this.

[@Kram1032]

hah, reading comments during P4A? :) (I'm seeing you right now)

[@fritha5976]

To curate... I use it as a verb. And I use the term very loosely. Great explanation and thanks for speaking fast. I am trying to become a curator of products made in India by women who struggle to use their sewing skills to earn an income. Really helpful to understand what really goes into it. I have lots more work to do. The fact everyone is stealing term must surely be the best compliment in the world to curators. 💥

[@ColinLievens]

I loved this video and I'm really interested in working in the art industry and art galleries. I keep being told that i should become an art critic (I'm only 16 and not there yet) but I don't actually know what being an art critic actually involves and I really love how u explain art and the art world so i would really value an episode of the art assignment about what an art critic does because similarly to benign a curator it seems to be a very vague and misused term

[@merksmirs]

To be perfectly honest I never had an idea what the word curator meant due to my being German. I just thought they were people who like... Had a gallery or presented art somehow by what I heard (which as this video has taught me isn't entirely false) It's really nice to actually know what a curator is by Sarah Urist Greens definition though. Seeing as you're the only curator I have ever had the great pleasure if kinda-sorta knowing

[@juanrivas3588]

off topic but anyone else thinks she looks like demi lovato?? so inspirational with your words and definitely helps with my presentation. Thank you!

[@FX_uohg31_ryNo]

Thank you for making this video! English isn't my first language and I had no idea that the word curator had such an interesting meaning! I've heard it used before, but never knew the full story! :)

[@goVERBaNOUN]

Augh, this is a really great video. I started up a database of online educational resources so that anyone with an internet connection can find a way to learn stuff they care about, and I (hesitantly but proudly admit that I) call myself this database's curator (as well as the curator of my channel, which is filled with interviews of people who make those resources). The way you talk about curatorial duties in this video got me introspective about my usage of the term, and ultimately reaffirmed that I'm using the right terminology... But it also highlighted some things that I can/need to do to make sure the title is rightfully earned, and also maintained.

[@Hiandbye95]

And to think Ms. Sarah Green and her amazing content was only existent in myths (the yeti) or not existent at all (the Art Assignment) until about 2 years ago.

[@SHINSHINDESU]

We tackled this issue during art in years 11 and 12 visual arts. It's quite interesting how the word evolved.

[@CalliopeCeCe]

thanks for giving me a bit of an insught of my future job :) xx

[@kaydeekeenfaircloth1667]

This video gives someone a wider range on what the term curator means, which I am sure for this class will be somewhat important. Much like the women in the video, I believe a curator is someone who has knowledge of what they are caring for. A person that has knowledge and experience in art, music, shoes or even novelty hot wheel cars should be able to give themselves the name of a curator whether they work for a known institution or not. This institution, such as a museum simply gives the curator more of a claim or believability in their background. It makes a curator easier to believe, even if they had the same knowledge whether they worked for the said institution or not.

[@nopemeneither]

I've thought a lot about being a museum curator as a career. Although I am focused now more on history instead of art this video was wonderful. Thanks for this information!

[@LXW-Arts]

You can do both a art historian

[@kodexi2761]

I love these videos, they have really opened my eyes to a lot of art I hadn't seen before. Thanks for the effort you put into this channel!

[@AndreaMGC]

Do you think that would also apply then to libraries? If you consider books to be art, that is. Or is someone who works in a bookstore a curator? Because they know a lot about the types of books, have done the readings, and know how to present them (like on their little promotion tables.. etc). Just a random question that popped into my head. lol

[@polkadottedpolak]

I think if they were arranging certain books to be displayed in a certain way to evoke something from passersby would be a bit like a curator. Your typical librarian, not so much. Though they can be very knowledgeable about books, it's more about presenting the work of others to an audience. Other than keeping books tidy and alphabetical, there's not much presentation going on with librarians.

[@theartassignment]

I think librarians are very much curators of books. You can be a curator of non-art objects (some books are indeed art, but some are not), like take a curator in a museum of natural history, for example. The librarian is very much responsible for the "presentation" of books, and I don't think the display would need to be particularly artful to make it strategic or effective. Presenting a collection alphabetically can be thought of as a curatorial decision, for example. Also, librarians are tirelessly devoted to getting to know and developing their audience, and provide interesting and varied programming to support their collections.

[@AndreaMGC]

The Art Assignment Yes! I agree! :) Except you put it way more eloquently than I ever could.

[@oaueo]

I have a friend who curates an independent moveable photography book collection from which she sells individual books much in the way an art gallery does. When I tell people this, they usually roll their eyes and say, "oh she 'curates' it, does she?" or something like that, but she's the first person who comes to mind watching this video, and really does legitimately meet all the criteria Sarah mentions. So yes, such people exist!

[@TwinkTwinkle]

This is a perfect example of something I didn't know I wanted to know!

[@KarinaLlanos]

LOVE YOUR WORK!

[@arthermax]

I googled the term curator and never found any good understanding until your explanation. Thanks.

[@ARTiculations]

Among the people I work with as a docent there are curators and also sometimes "interpretive planners" and "exhibition designers". I often am not sure what the difference is between them - or if there even is one. I'm wondering if you can shed some light on how a curator's role differs from interpretive planners and exhibition designers. Or if there's really no real boundary and the responsibilities of these roles vastly depend on the institution.

[@davidshi451]

What's in a name, really? In the end, we're all curators of life, family, and knick-knacks that line the mantelpiece :)

[@polkadottedpolak]

My understanding is that an exhibition designer would select the work and present it like a curator, but wouldn't necessarily be responsible for other aspects of a curator's role, like the writing. I would expect this to happen in an institution that only displays one or two exhibitions at a time, and therefore likes to divide the tasks into multiple people.

[@theartassignment]

A good question, and one whose answer is definitely institution specific. In my experience, exhibition development is an extremely collaborative process, and the particular working dynamic depends on the strengths and skills of the individuals occupying each role. But with that caveat, I'd say that "interpretive planners" or people who come from education departments, etc., play the role of representing the audience and focus on shaping the exhibition to keep in mind the particular needs of the audience. So an "interpretive planner" would focus on developing a suite of materials (in concert with the curator) to accompany an exhibition, such as labels, brochures, audio guides, websites, in-gallery technology, along with developing tours, related programs, lectures, etc. to support the ideas behind the exhibition. Like maybe the curator writes a first draft of a label, and then passes it along to someone like an interpretive planner who reviews it and suggests changes (like ridding it of anything art-speaky), and together they land on the final wording. The exhibition designer and curator work closely together to realize the physical manifestation of the exhibition. The curator devises the checklist and then works with the designer to develop the floor plan and progression of objects. Together they discuss whether there are barriers for the art, pedestals, wall color, design direction for title and wall labels, seating, lighting. The designer often makes mock-ups of the floor plan and helps with spatial planning. They also work closely with the installation crew and engineers, if need be. This process is extremely collaborative, but the power dynamic varies by institution and personalities involved.

[@ARTiculations]

The Art Assignment Thanks for the awesome response Sarah! (So weird I'm watching you on the live stream right now) Now I understand why I work most closely with the interpretive planner, since she is in charge of figuring out the specifics of the docent tours.

[@rodrigodelriojoglar]

I have just found your channel on youtube. I think your work is amazing. There should really be spanish subtitles, so in that way I could share it with people in Chile. Loved your Rothko video too. Thanks again for your amazing work!

[@kmbehrens14]

I loved getting a peek at what you do behind the camera, Sarah! I also love that you used the phrase "panties in a bunch." What a Midwestern saying. Thanks for all your hard work on this fabulous series!

[@davidshi451]

So, if the art created for The Art Assignment is part of a collection, how are you planning on expanding it? Are there any themes that might run through this series? Or is it more like a smorgasbord of items, an artistic buffet with a wild variety that anyone can grab from?

[@polkadottedpolak]

I got the impression that the grander scheme of The Art Assignment is to get the "layman" involved in making art, because so many people have a very narrow understanding of what art is, and assume that they can't do it.

[@danamahmoud951]

EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Thank you!

[@lisalovelylpa]

Well I started making art just over five years ago , and realized as soon as art is made it is in danger of falling apart , so, I had to curate my own art.

[@fraserradford6551]

I smiled when I saw Herb and Dorothy Vogel. I'd love to be able to amass a collection like theirs one day albeit in a larger apartment. I'm also hoping to have a few of my own works in well known collections, preferably when I'm alive, but we shall see.

[@theartassignment]

Me too! Herb and Dorothy are the best. It was such a great experience to meet them and work with their collection when part of it was given to the museum where I used to work. The consummate collectors with who were in it for the best reasons. However, I do have considerable doubt over whether the Herbs and Dorothys of today would be able to accomplish a similar task in the current art market.

[@rileydehority707]

The Art Assignment Do you mean that art is now too expensive? I thought their concept was to buy art from artists just getting started, when it was still relatively cheap -- so that they could support unknown artists, and also so that they could have art they love. (but hey then again I never met them, just saw a documentary)

[@CreatrixTiara]

Ah thank you for this! Curation is something I've been interested in for a while, but it's a little tricky to get a handle on what the job entails, since all the curators I've seen do all sorts of different things. The main commonality seems to be "find a theme, figure out who belongs in it, gather the work together, provide context" - but the way this happens can differ widely. How would you recommend someone get work as an independent curator? I saw that you answered about being a museum curator, but I'm curious to learn from people who do this independently (or I suppose more freelance-y).

[@theartassignment]

Hello! I think it's pretty difficult to start out as an independent art curator just from scratch, but I could be wrong. I would guess that the usual trajectory is starting out in a more formal role and then spinning out into independent work once you have a network of contacts, a reputation, etc. But I would certainly look around to galleries and exhibition spaces in your area, since many art spaces bring in a variety of curators for different shows. There may be an opportunity to propose an exhibition to one of those spaces. But really, I would prioritize your idea for a show, give it some thought and attention and time and work, and then assess what the appropriate venue would be for such a show. You may be able to rent a temporary space to put on your own show, for example. That would of course involve fundraising, coordination, marketing, etc., but there are ways to do anything. If anyone has any better advice, I'd love to hear it!

[@aeromodeller1]

The independent curators I have seen started as students, scholars and authors of original studies in the subject. After making significant contributions to the field demonstrating their expertise, they may propose exhibitions or be invited to curate an exhibition. Part of becoming an expert in a subject involves visiting museums or private collections. The contacts made in doing research can lead to curatorial opportunities.

[@CultClassic]

Great Video! I continually love this show.

[@marksusskind1260]

I was once called "curator" by some online service, but I certainly didn't know my material inside and out. What I did was more like maintain a phone book, but with hyperlinks instead of phone numbers and house addresses.

[@lesliefoundhergrail]

YAYYY! I'm a curator! Well, based on your ending statement. I think. The reason I call myself a curator for kzbin.info in the first place is because I am consistently taking different stories and showcasing them in a broader context so an arc is formed. Your job function as a curator on this show overlaps with some of my work (scheduling personalities that fit together, planning rhythm of episodes, project management work, etc) so I'm assured in calling myself a curator in that aspect. But you didn't really touch on if it's a curator's job to string works of art together, at least I took your take as a one-on-one process. What are your thoughts on a curator's role, if it is, to demonstrate larger messages with different works?

[@theartassignment]

Glad I could provide some validation ;). I think stringing things together and demonstrating larger messages is all within the role of presenting the collection. You make decisions about what messages you'd like to convey through the collection presentation and there are myriad ways to accomplish that. Sometimes you make the decision to let the collection speak for itself, and sometimes you make more apparent interpretation. That's up to you.

[@davidaaronartist]

So Powerful Sarah, Miss curator. thanks for the knowledge

[@Zobo03]

Woah there's a lot of things that are included in your definition of a curator. My main language is french, and we don't really have a word equivalent to curator... the closest would be "conservateur" (which I'm trying to become). But, your definition of an independent curator, for example would be referred to as a "commissaire d'exposition" where I live. Usually, in museums here curators are really focused on the collections, and the rest is handled by other people. I suppose that the situation is really different from a country to another... even from a museum to another!

[@asan2332]

great video! thanks!

[@kanjariyaketan]

Here in India curator is a boss and teacher . Sad but true.

[@EnjoyingChaotics]

Be the curator of my heart

[@professional.commentator]

I've actually been thinking of becoming a curator recently. Seems like a very stressful job though. I mean I guess I would have to find my passion on the material matter first and then work from there.

[@johnhankla6040]

Yay for the evolving museum.

[@theartassignment]

three cheers!

[@ljmastertroll]

I don't believe I am a curator of a collection of vintage sneakers because in reality I just refuse to throw my old worn out shoes away.

[@MichaelKiddRocks]

She is so cool, and the video is great also.

[@viniciusvallesalves3029]

God i miss this channel so much

[@rileydehority707]

I like the highlights video and that blog The Critique Assignment, because they both curate art assignment responses and make me see them as a whole / in new light. I noticed your white board though... are we running out of Art Assignments?? I hope that if it's what YOU want, you find funding, support, and personal emotional energy for more seasons after this one. I really love these videos and I love contributing :)

[@theartassignment]

We are not running out! It's just that we're reaching the end of season 1, and I can't fit any more on the board. Season 2 is definitely happening, and I've just been delaying erasing the board and sketching in what's on deck. For some reason I can't bring myself to erase it yet. And you're totally right that the highlights videos and The Critique Assignment do curate responses. There's a lot that I didn't get to in the video, and that act of re-presenting the responses on tumblr and in videos is most definitely part of my role as curator. Thanks so much for participating in this project--I always enjoy and highly value your contributions.

[@rileydehority707]

The Art Assignment That's awesome news. Seriously, I have so much envy for my friends in art school right now, and this project makes me feel like I'm doing structured art-learning of my own (while also clawing my way through a seemingly neverending engineering degree). Especially the tumblr dialogue that you and I have about some of the assignments I've "turned in."

[@07leprechaun]

You explained why, occupationally speaking, you still see yourself as a curator. But I would argue that your occupation doesn't have to necessarily be the reason why you are or are not a curator. For example, I am an Environmental Educator at a community college. That is my job title, so that is what I am. But, I have a degree in zoology and studied stream ecology in grad school. So I am also an ecologist, biologist, zoologist, stream ecologist, aquatic ecologist, etc. I could be unemployed all together and I don't see why I would suddenly become something else. I would still be a biologist or what have you, because my education says I am, and that's how I choice to identify. When talking with people in the education world, I may identify myself as an educator. I worked as a cashier for a couple of months while I was waiting on my educator job. I wasn't in school anymore, and not yet employed, but I was never not a biologist. I guess what I am saying is it's not your job that defines you anyway. It's your education, your experiences, and most importantly, your passion and how you choose to identify yourself.

[@rchetype7029]

"The curator is the eternal tyrant and benefactor of mankind's artistic endevors."

[@ThinkMuseums]

When you look at an exhibition their is a curator!!!

[@khushbumalviya8482]

I love the art cooking ❤️

[@jorgerebellon8605]

How would someone go about becoming an official curator for a museum? What degrees would you need? And how long are you expected to have worked in the field before being considered for the position? Particularly for contemporary and modern art.

[@theartassignment]

There are many different paths to being a museum curator, but most of them involve getting advanced degrees in your area of study. If you want to be an art curator, you usually study art history and get a doctorate or at minimum a masters degree. For contemporary art, you can sometimes get away with only a masters degree in art history (like me), but to be a curator of older art you almost always need a PhD. While studying, you'd probably want to also seek internships in museums you are interested in and that have collections or programming that relate to your area of study. Then you apply for jobs as a curatorial assistant and start to work your way up. That is the traditional trajectory, but there are certainly exceptions to the rule.

[@lukasdon0007]

The Art Assignment Are you interested in still getting a PhD? Not as a status label, but more as a possibility to do intense research?

[@theartassignment]

***** Not at this point, but I won't rule it out. I much prefer working with artists and expanding my education through exhibitions, books, and projects like these. Who knows what the future may hold, however.

[@ARTiculations]

The Art Assignment Recently I've been looking into a masters program called "Curatorial studies" in the University near me. I'm just wondering what you thoughts are on taking a program specifically aimed at being trained to be a curator. In your opinion, would that be - just as useful, more useful, or less useful to study compared to an Art History degree of a specific area interest?

[@ladyb9375]

I love this video! Your work is amazing, thaks for it!

[@ron4501]

There is a beautiful and informative new book titled "The Object in its Place" which tells the story of an important installation designer who worked for museums, art galleries and collectors. The book is filled with historic and contemporary images of curated exhibitions and fascinating stories on how these shows came together. There are also a series of "lessons" learned from over 60 years in the art world. Book is available at: www.fineartspress.com

[@mikaella3079]

I love this channel

[@tommbino8846]

Hi! I'm currently studying graphic design in a accademy of fine arts. This year I discovered the role of the curator, which I did't know the existance before. So now I'd really like to become one. Here were I live to become a curator you need to go to a secondary university, so tecnically I could study for it. But also I found out that it would be better to study history of art at univesity. So, do you think it is possible to become a curator only studying at the secondary university or not? Thank You (excuse my english)

[@nikoletabairami7536]

Spotify: Nikoleta Bairami Playlist: ALL TIME FAVES It's a playlist with all the great songs I grew up with and the ones that I lesten to right now and I'm sure everyone will enjoy listening to it!!

[@yadisfhaddad722]

Sarah, do you have a complementary bibliography on this subject? I know that this isn't a lecture or a graduate's class, but some of the concepts about curatorship in this video were really interesting, and i'd like to research further if possible. Thanks a lot for the amazing effort.

[@haichikou]

This sounds like such a fun thing to do, even as a pastime! To work as a professional curator in a museum, is there any specific requirements, like a degree?

[@saiphaniutkarshkethana8519]

Thank you!! ❤

[@mattahlschwede4810]

You think about conservation, and what's missing from the collection, but do you consider what needs to be removed? That is important as well, perhaps more important, depending on the context. Where is the line between curating and editing drawn?

[@HFH-lt2xi]

Independend Curator's my dream job

[@maiseyredman8486]

Would it be possible to email you? I am leaning towards this type of work and I'd love to hear more or get advice

[@SciJoy]

What positions do people usually have at a museum (art, science, whatever) prior to becoming a curator? You said curators are usually specialists/experts. What is the (or just a) career path to becoming the keeper and overseer of a collection? And when did people decide to start curating items? Thanks.

[@theartassignment]

See my response to Jorge, but becoming a curator at a museum almost always entails getting an advanced degree in that particular area of study. For an example, I just looked up the bios of the curators at the American Museum of Natural History. Ross MacPhee (Curator, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Department of Mammalogy) has the following backgound: MacPhee received his Ph.D. in physical anthropology from the University of Alberta in 1977 and was previously Associate Professor of Anatomy at Duke University Medical Center.

[@davidshi451]

Also spending lots of time volunteering. Case in point: Emily Graslie of The Brain Scoop!

[@SciJoy]

Thanks

[@peachemoji]

SciJoy There are also other positions within museums that assist the curator, but you do not always have to have an advanced degree in a particular field in order to obtain that job. Those positions are in collections management. While I do have an advanced degree in Museum Studies, I can essentially take the collections management knowledge that I gained and transfer it to practically any museum. For example: I've done some general conservation contract work for a natural history museum, served as an exhibit registrar for a history museum and now work at an art museum as the permanent collection database administrator.

[@Zakabre18]

This is a really interesting question because I think of a curator as dealing with physical objects like art, but what about writing or poetry? Is the editor of an anthology a curator? Moving even further from art, what about the editor of an academic journal, are they a curator?

[@lorenabpv]

Meg Gilbert Zakabre18 i'd say yes. at least to the first possibility. like, an editor of an anthology has to organize the product and select whatever is goint into it. then they have to think of the audience and the best way to present the work to them. and, well, they're dealing with art, even if it's in writing form.

[@theartassignment]

Interesting question. I don't think a curator has to deal with physical objects necessarily. Like I think you could be a curator of sound art, or video art, or of digital media whose physical manifestation is ephemeral and shifts. You could also be a curator of performance or public programming within an institution. For writing or poetry, I think it's definitely possible that one could take on a curatorial role. Being an editor certainly has curatorial aspects, and being a curator has editorial aspects. There's overlap for sure. Re: your response Meg Gilbert, when a curator is affiliated with an institution they most definitely work for an organization with an established mission and a rigid structural system that stays the same as curators come and go. Curators have as much or as little latitude as the mission, system, and leadership allow, which can be a little or a lot! But you're right when it comes to independent curators, although there is almost always a master of some sort that you're serving.

[@shubhos]

Hello Sarah I am glad that I stumbled upon your series ... and have been ardently watching every capsule you make ... it's really very informative engaging and I must say very positive...i am a television professional from Mumbai.. I also am a self taught and exhibited artist in my late forties ... Let me cut to the chase ... I will be honoured if you to curate my art .. I will send you my links if you agree Awaiting your reply Regards Shubho

[@NeetiKanodra]

I really enjoyed watching this video and I respect the work of 21st century internet-esque curators like Maria Popova (of Brainpickings) and Chris Anderson (of TED). I also like the Curator's Code site www.curatorscode.org/ I have observed that the verb 'curate' is used more liberally now and I am glad that you are discussing this topic and thank you for sharing your definition!

[@goVERBaNOUN]

Oooh, this is neat. I like this.

[@lindseybaker8258]

cool video!

[@tasri]

cool, clear and really help...thanks

[@Africanraretreasures]

Fantastic

[@LandoNotes]

REMEMBER BY LANDO NOTES IS OUT NOW TAKE A LISTEN 🤪🔥🤟🏽🥀

[@catreadsabunch]

Odd question, but where did you get that necklace??

[@hkwhsu]

Brilliant, thank you.

[@smo8745]

so cool

[@mortenbundsgaardolsen6947]

That helps very must and good

[@cdmcnetwork2356]

how is law study (as provided by some Universities as Master's program in curating including Art, Management, and law) related to curating?

[@al-xshro9975]

I am a "curator" of our own collection. Schroeder's Collection

[@0505adi]

I'm confused. Are these in between episodes for the art assignment as we await a new season or has the art assignment disposed of their assignment-esque format? Love the show either way

[@danalivingabroad]

LOVE

[@Quixotic1018]

I could be a curator. I'd be great at curating, I'd be "The Great Curator." I could retire and do that. I could retire and be the curator of this place.

[@al-xshro9975]

to care for, to see to, and to worry about

[@IanOrtizz]

A curator is someone that can scramble an redifine a serious of items or collections.. and proyect your vision , or your spiritual insanity to make something genuine .. in my case: multiple collections of art in an art gallery in San Diego.

[@eugeniomanrique8295]

Hello! Please I need your help, I'm from Spain and I can ask for a scholarship but the rules says I need to have a confirmation on paper from the Center or Museum that I'm going to be but I don't know how to do it? Should I ask the director of the Museum or Center or What should I do? Can somebody help me pleasee! Love your videos, you are very talented.

[@Jackarc]

Question 1: People in the blogging and publishing world hate on the word curator because they don't think someone has "earned it" unless they've been paid by a museum like you have. What do you think of independent publishers/bloggers with an audience that curate things around a subject they're an expert in? When does one go from "random person on Tumblr" to "curator," if at all. Question 2: Are all magazine editors "curators"?

[@sophiaangelique1926]

♥️♥️♥️

[@Kenijamaru]

I'd like to be the kind of curator you are haha

[@Acquavallo]

Can the next book for your book club be Ways of Seeing by John Berger!!!!!!!

[@theartassignment]

Noted! There are a few I'm debating between. I'll put it to a vote on tumblr before too long. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@cosmicfxx]

What’s difference between art curator and gallery manager salesman?

[@merlinknowsnothing]

Guys, this is kind of weird, but bear with me here. Isn't Google a curator? Tumblr? Maybe the internet is full of programs that are really just custom auto-curators. I could be wrong about this, but here are some examples: Google gathers everything on the internet and sorts it, logs it, and makes it easier to comb through. Isn't that curation? Google logs information about websites, and it also sorts collections of websites in a visual way. Just as a librarian might be a curator of books, Google is a curator of websites. Tumblr is a massive network of curators and their content. Tumblr bloggers create and sort through media relating to a certain topic (or just anything they/their followers find interesting), and collect the best of it on their blogs. Blog curators share and trade with other curators, create and organize content on their own blogs, and view it on other blogs. Tumblr is a crazy network of curators that Tumblr itself sorts through and presents to it's users.. the curators. In a way, Tumblr is curating curators. Facebook collaborates with it's users individually to curate their social lives and their own public images. It helps it's users along as they decide what friends they want to see what posts from, and the users can curate their own public image on their profile pages. Stumbleupon also collaborates with it's users, in an effort to basically curate the entire internet. You give the program parameters that help sort what you're interested in seeing, and Stumbleupon sorts the internet and shows you what it thinks you'll be most interested in. As you browse content, you tell Stumbleupon whether or not you're enjoying seeing what you're seeing, and based on that it sorts the internet further. These are just a few examples of curation on the internet. Or maybe these programs are just information sorters. What do you guys think? Are these programs curators or something else?

[@theartassignment]

This brings up something interesting for me and that is the human, subjective, fallible aspect of being a curator. There are of course people who work for Google, Tumblr, Facebooks, etc., but I see those as platforms run by algorithms for the most part, rather than individuals who use their expertise to empathize with their audience and synthesize material in order to present it. This reminds me of Spotify, too, or even Amazon's suggestions (or Stumbleupon), that try to guess at what you'd liked based on your previous searches. Perhaps you'll disagree with me, but I think there is something very human about the role of the curator, something that cannot be accomplished by algorithm. I like putting myself in the hands of a capable curator--someone whose unique bag of tricks is different from mine, and someone who can pull from their varied and diverse experience and education to make for me an experience I never could have made for myself. I *do* think that these platforms are perfectly designed for curators, however, and that is the reason why the term has blown up.